SINGAPORE: Singapore's Ministry of Digital Development (MDDI) on Friday (Mar 7) announced several initiatives aimed at improving Singaporeans’ proficiency in the use of artificial intelligence.
These include new content and programmes on generative AI under the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA) Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework.
Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam announced the move in parliament.
The DSL framework was launched last year, with learning resources and materials to equip all Singaporeans with digital knowledge and skills to conduct daily living tasks online easily and safely, navigate the digital space, as well as safeguard against online risks.
This year, IMDA will expand the framework and introduce Singaporeans to generative AI, its risks and how to use it safely in their daily lives.
The SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace 2.0 (SFDW 2.0) programme will also be expanded to incorporate AI content in the curriculum, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo.
Introduced in 2017, SFDW provides foundational training for Singaporeans in digital competencies to prepare them for the digital economy.
It was refreshed in July 2023, and now focuses on four key areas aligned with the latest digital trends: Automation, cybersecurity risk, data analytics and in-demand digital tools.
To keep up with the latest AI developments, IMDA has partnered Skillsfuture Singapore, key industry players and Institutes of Higher Learning to update the Skills Framework for Infocomm Technology to include nine new generative AI skills.
Workers with little or no background in tech can then sign up for SFDW 2.0 training, and be equipped with the skills to use AI tools to improve their workplace productivity.
"Under this expansion, workers in all sectors – be it manufacturing or retail - can learn how to use tools such as ChatGPT and CoPilot," said Mrs Teo.
"This will help them to enhance their productivity at work, even if they have no background in tech."
Beyond individuals, IMDA is also launching a generative AI playbook to cater to enterprises at different stages of digital maturity, so they can use AI to boost productivity and spur growth.
It aims to provide enterprises with the benefits and transformative potential of generative AI, key areas to consider when implementing such solutions, as well as guidelines on risks, governance and security best practices, said MDDI.
The playbook was developed in partnership with industry leaders including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s business and computing schools.
In her speech, Mrs Teo acknowledged concerns by Members of Parliament (MPs) about the impact of AI on workers.
"I understand these concerns. They are real and will be with us for some time, because we are only at the very early stages of AI adoption globally," she said.
"People all over the world would like to know exactly who will be impacted and how. While there is no perfect clarity, there are ways in which we can help."
She added that "many jobs" will still be around, and the risk is not that these jobs will be lost to AI, but that they are lost to a more competitive country or city.
"Our most important task, therefore, is to help as many people and businesses as we can become more productive, with the use of AI," Mrs Teo said.
"We want to become a nation of competent and confident AI users. In doing so, we can maintain Singapore’s economic competitiveness and retain more good jobs here."
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These include new content and programmes on generative AI under the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA) Digital Skills for Life (DSL) framework.
Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam announced the move in parliament.
The DSL framework was launched last year, with learning resources and materials to equip all Singaporeans with digital knowledge and skills to conduct daily living tasks online easily and safely, navigate the digital space, as well as safeguard against online risks.
This year, IMDA will expand the framework and introduce Singaporeans to generative AI, its risks and how to use it safely in their daily lives.
The SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace 2.0 (SFDW 2.0) programme will also be expanded to incorporate AI content in the curriculum, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo.
Introduced in 2017, SFDW provides foundational training for Singaporeans in digital competencies to prepare them for the digital economy.
It was refreshed in July 2023, and now focuses on four key areas aligned with the latest digital trends: Automation, cybersecurity risk, data analytics and in-demand digital tools.
To keep up with the latest AI developments, IMDA has partnered Skillsfuture Singapore, key industry players and Institutes of Higher Learning to update the Skills Framework for Infocomm Technology to include nine new generative AI skills.
Workers with little or no background in tech can then sign up for SFDW 2.0 training, and be equipped with the skills to use AI tools to improve their workplace productivity.
"Under this expansion, workers in all sectors – be it manufacturing or retail - can learn how to use tools such as ChatGPT and CoPilot," said Mrs Teo.
"This will help them to enhance their productivity at work, even if they have no background in tech."
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Beyond individuals, IMDA is also launching a generative AI playbook to cater to enterprises at different stages of digital maturity, so they can use AI to boost productivity and spur growth.
It aims to provide enterprises with the benefits and transformative potential of generative AI, key areas to consider when implementing such solutions, as well as guidelines on risks, governance and security best practices, said MDDI.
The playbook was developed in partnership with industry leaders including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and the National University of Singapore’s business and computing schools.
In her speech, Mrs Teo acknowledged concerns by Members of Parliament (MPs) about the impact of AI on workers.
"I understand these concerns. They are real and will be with us for some time, because we are only at the very early stages of AI adoption globally," she said.
"People all over the world would like to know exactly who will be impacted and how. While there is no perfect clarity, there are ways in which we can help."
She added that "many jobs" will still be around, and the risk is not that these jobs will be lost to AI, but that they are lost to a more competitive country or city.
"Our most important task, therefore, is to help as many people and businesses as we can become more productive, with the use of AI," Mrs Teo said.
"We want to become a nation of competent and confident AI users. In doing so, we can maintain Singapore’s economic competitiveness and retain more good jobs here."
Continue reading...