On 23 January 2019, Singapore released its Model Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework ("Model Framework") at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland for public consultation, pilot adoption, and feedback. The Model Framework builds on the earlier guidelines detailed in a paper released on 5 June 2018 by the Personal Data Protection Commission ("PDPC") and the Infocomm Media Development Authority ("IMDA").

The Model Framework is a voluntary accountability-based general framework that is algorithm-agnostic, technology-agnostic and sector-agnostic. It complements other discussion papers on the topic, such as the Monetary Authority of Singapore's "Principles to Promote Fairness, Ethics, Accountability and Transparency (FEAT) in the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics in Singapore's Financial Sector" released on 12 November 2018.

The Model Framework seeks to provide guidance on the key issues to be considered when deploying artificial intelligence ("AI") solutions at scale, and the measures that can be implemented to manage corresponding risks. The Model Framework is intended to assist organisations to:

  • Build consumer confidence in AI through organisations' responsible use of such technologies to mitigate different types of risks in AI deployment; and
  • Demonstrate reasonable efforts to align internal policies, structures and processes with relevant accountability-based practices in data management and protection, e.g. the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 ("PDPA") and Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Privacy Principles.

If you have any queries or would like to know more about how these changes may impact you, please contact:

LAM Chung Nian
Head – Intellectual Property, Technology and Media,
Telecommunications and Data Protection Practices
d +65 6416 8271
e chungnian.lam@wongpartnership.com
Click here to see Chung Nian’s CV.

Kylie PEH
Partner – Intellectual Property, Technology and Media,
Telecommunications and Data Protection Practices
d +65 6416 8259
e kylie.peh@wongpartnership.com
Click here to see Kylie’s CV.