PodChats for FutureCIO: Delivering on the promise of a national AI strategy

CXOInsights by CXOCIETY

In 2019, Singapore announced a national blueprint that would direct the use of AI to transform the economy.

The government reports that since then 150 teams have been working on research and development, and 900 startups are exploring new ideas with AI.

In December 2023, the government followed it with version 2 with a central theme of “AI for the Public Good, for Singapore and the World.”

To help us understand what this means for businesses in Singapore, we are pleased to have with us Lian Jye Su, chief analyst with Omdia.

1. Briefly describe for us what is the overall aim of Singapore’s National AI strategy.

a. The NAIS 1.0 was launched in 2019 to establish Singapore as a leader in developing and deploying scalable, impactful AI solutions, in key sectors of high value and relevance to our citizens and businesses by 2030. How have things changed since then?

2. For business leaders, what are the opportunities this NAIS present to the industry and the company?

3. For the CIO, how active should he or she be involved in crafting architectures and roadmaps that would support/enable the organisation’s interpretation of the NAIS?

a. What are the challenges that CIOs must raise to the C-suite and Board as it relates to rising up to the call to support Singapore’s NAIS?

4. Given the level of interest that business leaders in Asia/Singapore have on AI, what questions should the CIO be asking to (a) themselves; and (b) to the board/C-suite that will help guide the AI deployment for the company?

5. What can other economies from Singapore’s approach to becoming an AI hub?

6. Many emerging technologies take time to get adopted. However, what is maybe unique with AI is that it is fast evolving. How should CIOs architect an AI strategy where the technology is evolving probably faster than the use cases can be identified, tested and integrated into existing systems?