Singapore to champion 5G, AI and data management in enabling innovation

Tan speaking at the opening address for ConnecTechAsia.

Tan Kiat How, Chief Executive, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), said that IMDA is putting in place a conducive environment for innovation in his opening address at the launch ceremony for ConnecTechAsia.

He said that IMDA is promoting thought leadership in data, artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G to this end.

Data

When it comes to data protection, Singapore contributed to the ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance and free trade agreements that safeguard data flows, such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Treatment for Trans-Pacific Partnership and multilateral certification mechanisms like the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules and Privacy Recognition for Processors System.

"We will continue to work with fellow regulators to nurture such an environment of trust," he said.

"The rapid growth of the global digital economy also requires us to adopt a different approach to how we think about trade and trade rules," he added. This is why Singapore, Chile and New Zealand launched trilateral talks on the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA) in mid-May 2019.
The DEPA is an opportunity for the three countries to set forward-looking standards on digital trade, and establish new international approaches to support the digital economy and trade in the digital era.

AI

To balance the trade-off between innovation and trust for AI, IMDA has been promoting responsible and accountable use of the technology, Tan said. Besides the Model AI Governance Framework that was released earlier in 2019, IMDA is going global, for example partnering with the World Economic Forum's Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

5G

For 5G, IMDA has asked for views on 5G-related policies, such as appropriate regulatory frameworks and the allocation of spectrum. "Singapore sees 5G as an enabler to support the development of new innovative applications and services that will power our digital economy - a public utility that will benefit our entire economy," he said.

He added that IMDA will allocate 3.5 Ghz to two nationwide networks through a call for proposal.

More than 1,700 exhibitors and 40,000 delegates are expected to attend the show.

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