# Government's Approach and Policy on Governing Safe and Responsible Artificial Intelligence Development

- Date: 2023-11-22
- Who: Chua Kheng Wee Louis · Josephine Teo
- Source: https://sprs.parl.gov.sg/search/#/sprs3topic?reportid=written-answer-15158
- sgai: https://sgai.md/debates/written-answer-15158/
- License: sgai-authored content (summaries, translations, analysis) is CC BY 4.0 — attribute and link to sgai.md. Verbatim source text (Hansard, speeches, transcripts, policy documents) remains © its original rights holders and is reproduced for reference only. Terms: https://github.com/meltflake/sgai/blob/main/DATA-LICENSE.md

## Why it matters

The government's November 2023 written reply still uses existing guidance to evade specific legislative pathways, exposing that Singapore's AI governance relies on voluntary corporate certification rather than mandatory regulations

## Summary

An MP asked about the government's policy on safe, responsible AI development in Singapore and the next steps in governance. The government replied that it has explained its approach multiple times, supports international cooperation and standards alignment, encourages firms to participate in AI ethics certification, and deepens AI governance collaboration through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms. The core debate: balancing tech progress with ethics/safety and the concrete implementation of international cooperation.

## Key points

- Continued push on AI ethics standards
- Supports international AI governance collaboration
- Encourages firms to participate in AI certification

## Full text

© Parliament of Singapore — reproduced for reference only.

37 Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Communications and Information (a) what is the Government's approach and policy governing the safe and responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI) in Singapore; and (b) what are the subsequent steps that the Government is planning to take in AI governance following the signing of the Bletchley Declaration.

Mrs Josephine Teo : Singapore's approach to the responsible development and deployment of a rtificial intelligence ( AI) has been explained at the Sittings on:

(a) 21 April 2023; [ Please refer to "Regulatory Framework for Artificial Intelligence Governance in Singapore", Official Report, 21 April 2023, Vol 95, Issue 101, Oral Answers to Questions section. ]

(b) 9 May 2023; [ Please refer to "Ensuring Development and Maintenance of Ethical Artificial Intelligence Standards", Official Report, 9 May 2023, Vol 95, Issue 103, Oral Answers to Questions section. ]

(c) 6 July 2023; [ Please refer to "Feasibility of Establishing Body to Regulate Artificial Intelligence", Official Report, 6 July 2023, Vol 95, Issue 108, Oral Answers to Questions section. ]

(d) 6 November 2023. [ Please refer to "Encouraging Companies to Enrol in IMDA's AI Verify Foundation to Uphold Responsible and Ethical Use of AI", Official Report, 6 November 2023, Vol 95, Issue 115, Written Answers to Questions for Oral Answer not Answered by End of Question Time section. ]

Singapore has been consistent in our support for international efforts that enhance alignment on AI governance. These provide greater certainty and clarity to businesses and citizens, as developers and deployers of AI. Recent initiatives include the Bletchley Declaration in November 2023 and the completion of a joint mapping exercise between IMDA's AI Verify and the US National Institute of Standards and Technology's AI Risk Management Framework in October 2023. We will build on these through our partnership in research and development with the UK AI Safety Institute and our bilateral AI Governance Group with the US respectively, in addition to supporting existing multilateral, multi-stakeholder efforts at the United Nations, World Economic Forum and Global Partnership on AI.