Raising AI literacy, deploying it in healthcare and social services among ministries’ plans
Equipping Singaporeans with artificial-intelligence skills is part of the government’s focus on strengthening assurances throughout life
[SINGAPORE] The government intends to raise artificial intelligence (AI) literacy broadly alongside encouraging lifelong learning, as part of “strengthening assurances throughout life” in its new term.
In an Addendum to the President’s Address, Minister for Education Desmond Lee said his ministry will equip learners and educators to thrive in a future where AI is set to transform the economy and society.
Students will learn how to use AI responsibly and pick up skills needed for an AI-driven workplace, he said, adding that guidelines have been put in place to ensure AI enhances, rather than compromises learning.
“We will also equip students with critical skills such as problem solving, critical thinking and interpersonal skills, so that they can create value beyond AI.”
Educators will be trained to use AI meaningfully to guide students, and SkillsFuture Singapore will raise AI literacy broadly to help workers become “confident AI users”.
Equipping students with future-ready skills is part of the Ministry of Education’s plans for their holistic development.
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For educators, the ministry will strengthen the quality of training, expand upskilling and reskilling pathways, and uplift the professional standards of adult educators.
AI in healthcare
AI is also a key priority in healthcare, with the public healthcare system to have imaging AI as “a national capability” by end-2026, Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung said in a separate addendum.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will also launch an AI assistant on the consolidated HealthHub app, and progressively introduce AI for predictive and preventive care.
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“Precision medicine and AI form a powerful and promising combination,” he said, referring to treatment that is tailored for individuals based on genetics and lifestyle.
“MOH will drive technology adoption proactively and thoughtfully, with a focus on impactful system-wide use cases.”
The ministry will also deepen research in genomics, and introduce more cost-effective precision medicine therapies into Singapore’s mainstream healthcare system.
Ong reiterated MOH’s plans to expand healthcare infrastructure to meet rising demand, with more hospital beds and six new polyclinics in the works.
To support the capacity expansion, the ministry plans to grow the healthcare workforce by another 20 per cent by 2030.
In a separate addendum, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli said his ministry will encourage the “pervasive adoption of digital technology, including AI” to enhance social services, as part of plans to build a “strong and future-ready” social sector.
The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) will develop a comprehensive infrastructure plan for the next generation of social and residential services, for closer collaboration between social service agencies serving the same community.
MSF will also deepen its partnerships with research institutes and the innovation ecosystem in the social sciences and technology.
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