U.S. and Singapore to Strengthen AI and Tech Partnership

WASHINGTON, October 13, 2023 – The United States and Singapore announced on Thursday a new partnership to strengthen ties on artificial intelligence and other technological research. The nations launched the initiative, called the Critical Emerging Technology Dialogue, in D.C. on the same day.

Building on a 2022 meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, senior officials from both governments – including Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong from Singapore and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan from the U.S. – met in Washington for discussions on six areas of focus.

Artificial intelligence

The countries intend to launch a joint AI governance group, according to a White House statement. The group would focus on ensuring “safe, trustworthy, and responsible AI innovation,” the statement said.

The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology recently completed an exercise with the Singapore Infocomm Media Development Authority on AI risk management. Both nations are looking to expand on that and collaborate on research into AI security, the statement said.

AI regulation has been a subject of discussion in Washington. Biden announced in September he plans to issue an executive order on the issue by the end of the year, and a group of Congressional Democrats pushed him on Thursday to use their proposed AI Bill of Rights to inform that policy.

Quantum computing

American and Singaporean agencies are planning to collaborate on post-quantum cryptography methods and standards. While current quantum computers are rudimentary, the technology is in theory capable of cracking current encryption methods.

Biotechnology

The countries plan to convene universities, private and public research institutions, and government agencies on advancing research into gene therapies and delivery systems for those therapies. The nations also expressed an intent to connect their biotechnology startup communities to exchange best practices on scaling, as well as research and development.

Officials also discussed defense technology, data governance, and climate resilience. The next CET Dialogue is planned for 2024 in Singapore.