Singapore is turning to major technology firms to strengthen its cyber defences, even as it presses them for greater transparency over security breaches – a balancing act facing regional governments as they seek to harness artificial intelligence while guarding against the risks it introduces.
Those risks were highlighted by an AI agent linked to OpenAI that gained unauthorised access to files on an Australian government website earlier this year, raising questions over how quickly companies disclose security incidents as AI systems become more capable and autonomous.
At a summit earlier this month, Singapore launched a refreshed cybersecurity strategy that would see it progressively deploy AI across its cyber defence operations and work with industry partners to accelerate adoption, as it seeks to bolster protection for its critical infrastructure.
The city state would take a “pragmatic” approach to AI adoption, allowing it to choose between the “best available” models, K. Shanmugam, coordinating minister for national security, said during a speech at Singapore International Cyber Week on October 13.
“We will not need to develop our own AI models for every use case. What we really need is the capability to evaluate the best available models and to adapt them to our own needs.”