AS the current wave of digital technologies sweeps across the world along with its potential to sow distrust in society, governments will be challenged to ensure that digital developments are built upon a strong foundation of trust.

Making this point was Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo on the first day of the fourth Asean Digital Ministers Meeting on Thursday (Feb 1).

Singapore is hosting this meeting of the region’s digital ministers for the first time in 11 years, with the two-day event featuring talks on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, how to combat scams and the need to strengthen cybersecurity.

“As much as we welcome the opportunities of each technological advancement, we also recognise the risks they bring,” said Teo, pointing out that misinformation and disinformation can be supercharged with deepfakes generated by AI.

Teo is hosting the meeting as the chair, while Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong serves as the vice-chair.

In a release on Thursday, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) said that the Republic’s chairmanship has the theme of “Building an inclusive and trusted digital ecosystem”.

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“Singapore’s chairmanship underscores the commitment of both Singapore and Asean to enhance access to digital technologies, tools and opportunities for all,” it said.

“The overarching goal is to empower people and businesses to benefit from digitalisation while creating integrated, connected and secure digital infrastructures and systems.”

Promoting cybersecurity, AI governance

The discussions centre around implementing a coordinated Asean approach to protect citizens in light of the cross-border nature of scams, as well as the collaborative efforts required in cybersecurity to build a trusted digital ecosystem, said MCI in its release.

Teo said that Singapore is “already in close discussions” with Thailand on how the Asean Regional Computer Emergency Response Team can support the work of the proposed Working Group on Anti-Online Scams, said Teo.

Also on the agenda are discussions on the appropriate governance frameworks to establish a trusted environment in which the full potential of AI can be collectively harnessed.

For the first time, Singapore has collaborated with fellow member states on an Asean Guide on AI Governance and Ethics, said Teo.

“This is an important signal to the global community of AI developers, creators and policy-makers to keep our needs and expectations in mind, as you design products and services or develop rules that our people are bound to be impacted by,” she said.

“At the same time, by putting forward a common set of guidelines, we help you meet our needs in a more inter-operable and unified manner.”

Asean-EU joint guide

This week’s meeting will also see the launch of the second half of a joint guide to the Asean Model Contractual Clauses and the European Union (EU) Standard Clauses.

This document aims to facilitate understanding between Asean and EU businesses, and streamline the processes for cross-border data flows.

Pointing out that Singapore alone already has more than 14,000 European businesses using the South-east Asian nation as their regional headquarters, logistics and distribution centres, Teo said that the joint guide will be useful for businesses that operate in both regions.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and micro-SMEs in particular will be far less hampered by the lack of resources to engage in lengthy contractual negotiations on cross-border data flows,” she added.

On the sidelines of the meeting, MCI and Indonesia’s Ministry of Communications and Informatics inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to deepen bilateral cooperation on leveraging digital solutions and fostering digital innovation.

Singapore and Indonesia will strengthen and ensure robust and secure digital infrastructure, enhance the digital capabilities of each other’s workforces and launch initiatives to ensure the secure and efficient movement of data.

The MOU also envisions joint efforts to support digital startups, so as to nurture a conducive environment for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Working groups will be formed under the committee, paving the way for both countries to hold regular meetings and respond more quickly to evolving challenges and opportunities in the digital realm.

A separate MOU between Asean and China will be signed on Friday to promote greater cross-border digital connectivity in the areas of digital infrastructure, emerging technologies, cyber and data security as well as digital literacy.