Artificial Intelligence law at Singapore
As of May 2025, Singapore does not have a comprehensive national law regulating artificial intelligence (AI). Instead, the country has adopted a proactive, principles-based approach to AI governance, focusing on ethical guidelines, industry collaboration, and international cooperation.
🇸🇬 Singapore’s AI Governance Framework
Singapore's AI governance is primarily guided by the Model AI Governance Framework (MGF), developed by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC). First introduced in 2019 and updated in 2020, the MGF provides organizations with practical guidance on implementing ethical AI practices. It emphasizes principles such as:(Infocomm Media Development Authority, IAPP)
Explainability: AI decisions should be understandable to users.
Transparency: Clear communication about AI system operations.
Fairness: Avoidance of bias and discrimination.
Human-Centric Design: Prioritizing human welfare and safety.(This is the homepage of PDPC)
In 2024, recognizing the unique challenges posed by generative AI, Singapore introduced the MGF for Generative AI (MGF-Gen AI). This framework extends the original MGF to address new risks associated with generative AI technologies, such as deepfakes and misinformation. It outlines nine key dimensions, including accountability, data governance, trusted development and deployment, incident reporting, and testing and assurance .(Infocomm Media Development Authority, AI Law & Policy Hub)
🧪 AI Verification and Testing
To support the responsible deployment of AI, Singapore launched AI Verify, a governance testing framework and toolkit. Initially focused on traditional AI models, AI Verify now includes provisions for generative AI. It enables organizations to assess AI systems against established ethical principles through standardized tests and process checks, fostering transparency and accountability .(OpenGov Asia, This is the homepage of PDPC)
🌐 International Collaboration
Singapore actively participates in global AI governance discussions. In 2024, it co-hosted the AI Action Summit with India, leading to the adoption of the "Statement on Inclusive and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and the Planet," signed by 58 countries. This declaration emphasizes principles such as accessibility, transparency, ethics, safety, and international cooperation in AI development .
🛡️ Sector-Specific Guidelines
While there is no overarching AI law, Singapore has developed sector-specific guidelines to address AI applications in various fields:
Healthcare: The Ministry of Health published the "AI in Healthcare Guidelines" in 2021 to support patient safety and improve trust in the use of AI in healthcare .
Data Privacy: The PDPC has issued guidelines on data anonymization and synthetic data generation to promote responsible data use in AI .(IAPP, Allen & Gledhill)
🔮 Future Outlook
While Singapore currently emphasizes voluntary compliance and industry collaboration, there is a growing recognition of the need for specific laws to address emerging AI-related challenges, such as deepfakes during elections. Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, has highlighted the necessity for targeted legislation to tackle these issues .(Reuters, Allen & Gledhill)
In summary, Singapore's approach to AI governance is characterized by a flexible, principles-based framework that encourages ethical AI deployment while fostering innovation. Through continuous updates to its governance models and active participation in international dialogues, Singapore aims to balance technological advancement with responsible AI practices.
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