Our e-book, “Future-Proofing the Singapore Public Service,” explores AI’s potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement. Download now to harness AI for a smarter, more responsive government.
AI Imperatives for Singapore
Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 (NAIS 2.0) is a bold step towards establishing AI as a global force for good. This ambitious vision focuses on transforming public services and operations through AI, driven by two main strategies: internal AI initiatives and fostering public-private partnerships. These strategies aim to optimize business processes and improve citizen lifecycle management, ultimately creating a robust ecosystem for responsible AI development and deployment.
The current state of AI in Singapore’s public sector shows early success, with 9 out of 10 organizations seeing benefits from AI deployments. However, only 13% of public sector organizations consider themselves AI-ready, highlighting significant gaps in AI preparedness. This gap underscores the need for a strategic approach to AI adoption in the public sector.
In citizen services, even a minor misstep can be disastrous. Reputation and finances are both on the line. We have to be a 100% sure of our chatbots and other AI applications before rolling them out publicly.
5 AI Imperatives for the Singapore Public Service
To address these challenges, the report outlines five AI imperatives for public sector leaders. First, building a strategic AI roadmap is essential. Many organizations lack a cohesive AI strategy, leading to scattered efforts and minimal business value. A clear, value-driven AI roadmap can align AI initiatives with strategic objectives and focus on high-value use cases.
Second, measuring the true value of AI is critical. Public sector organizations often struggle to measure AI’s impact due to a lack of ROI metrics, hindering justifications for continued investment. Implementing robust ROI metrics and data-driven reporting can showcase AI’s tangible benefits and ensure data-driven decision-making.
Third, breaking down silos is vital for successful AI implementation. Cross-agency collaboration is currently lacking, but enhancing inter-agency cooperation can drive more effective AI projects. Encouraging collaboration can improve data sharing and regulatory compliance, facilitating smoother AI adoption.
Fourth, strengthening data governance is crucial for responsible AI deployment. Effective data governance promotes trust, security, and transparency. Despite existing frameworks, many organizations rely too heavily on external mandates. Building internal data governance frameworks can ensure high-quality, unbiased data for reliable AI outcomes.
Finally, upskilling for AI disruption is necessary to bridge the AI talent gap. There is a significant need for AI capability building and upskilling in the public sector. Investing in structured AI training programs can equip public sector employees with the skills needed for long-term success and adaptability in the evolving AI landscape.
Singapore’s public sector stands at the forefront of AI innovation, with early successes indicating substantial potential for future growth. By addressing key challenges and implementing strategic recommendations, public sector agencies can fully leverage AI to enhance efficiency, improve citizen services, and drive impactful digital transformation. This journey towards future-proofing public services with AI is not just about adopting new technologies, but about creating a sustainable, efficient, and responsive public sector that can meet the needs of its citizens in an ever-changing world.
Read the findings of our research here.
Accelerating Generative AI Adoption in Singapore
Singapore’s businesses are investing heavily in generative AI, with a median spend of $16 million, outpacing the global average. However, many feel they’re moving too slowly, with talent shortages and data concerns inhibiting progress. Still, the goal is clear: boost productivity and unlock new growth opportunities.
Transforming Singapore’s Public Sector for Scalable AI Success
Explore how Cognizant’s ‘Rewire for AI’ approach enables Singapore’s public sector to overcome AI adoption barriers by aligning people, processes, and technology. From building a skilled AI-ready workforce to creating robust data strategies and modernising legacy systems, Cognizant empowers public agencies to scale AI effectively for long-term public impact.