Singapore pairs international AI safeguards with wider government adoption focused on trust and inclusion.
Singapore is advancing artificial intelligence on two fronts, supporting stronger international safeguards for frontier AI while expanding practical AI use across government services and public administration.
Singapore Backs Global Frontier AI Safeguards
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on September 22 that Singapore supports an international statement calling for stronger safeguards around frontier AI. The initiative, started by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, had been endorsed by Wong and 21 other world leaders. It calls for transparent company safety protocols, mandatory pre-deployment testing and independent evaluation of advanced AI systems.
Leaders Call for Greater International Coordination
The statement also urges governments and regional organizations to develop and coordinate common safety standards, share reports of serious AI safety incidents and expand access to scientific expertise and trusted evaluation. It further calls on United Nations member states to explore creating an international institution that could establish frontier AI standards, enable verification and convene states when capability thresholds are crossed. Wong said effective safeguards require international cooperation because AI risks can cross national borders.
Nearly 70 Percent of Public Officers Use AI
At the domestic level, Singapore is already integrating AI extensively into government work. Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo said almost 70 percent of Singapore’s public officers regularly use AI tools, including for information analysis and drafting. Government agencies are also exploring AI agents to redesign workflows while retaining human accountability for important decisions.
AI Supports Public Feedback, Borders and Scam Detection
Singapore is applying AI across several public services. Machine-learning systems help route public feedback to relevant agencies, while AI assists officers at border checkpoints in detecting anomalies across large numbers of cargo shipments. Similar tools are also being used in anti-scam efforts to identify signs of phishing and impersonation. Teo said trust is essential to sustained AI adoption, particularly as the technology can also make scams and cyberattacks more sophisticated.
Singapore Expands AI Access Through Regional Languages
Singapore is also focusing on broader participation in AI development through SEA-LION, or Southeast Asian Languages in One Network, which includes open models designed for Southeast Asian languages and cultural contexts. AI Singapore is additionally working with international organizations and development partners on Project ATLAS to build AI-ready datasets for underrepresented languages globally. Singapore is also sharing digital resources and expertise through the Digital Pillar of the Forum of Small States and the Singapore Digital Gateway.
Singapore’s latest AI initiatives combine international safety cooperation with wider public-sector deployment at home. For Singaporeans, the approach centers on using AI to improve government services while maintaining oversight and public trust. For Indonesians and other Southeast Asian users, regional language projects such as SEA-LION also show how Singapore is seeking to make AI systems more relevant to the region’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
Sources: CNA (2026) , Open Gov Asia (2026)
Keywords: Singapore AI Safety, Lawrence Wong AI, Singapore Public Sector AI, Frontier AI Safeguards, Josephine Teo, SEA-LION
