Have thoughts on trusting AI? This programme wants you to be part of the convo.

[This is a sponsored article with the National Libary Board.]

Raise your hand if you’ve recently used artificial intelligence (AI) to find an answer or make your work easier.

It’s undeniable that new technologies, especially AI, are becoming the norm in a world pushing towards automation and dependence on technology. 

While AI has made it easier to complete certain everyday tasks, we have also seen instances where the technology has been used for harm. From deepfakes impacting elections and bots rewriting codes, these incidents have incited distrust and fear from the general public. 

This got us wondering: How much do Singaporeans trust AI? What are their concerns? 

Many reports have been released on Singapore’s sentiments on AI, including a recent study conducted by KPMG, which found that while 80% of Singaporeans accept AI, 55% are unsure or unwilling to trust the technology. 

To dive deeper into the “why,” we asked three Singaporeans to share their thoughts on AI’s benefits and their concerns with how the technology is used. Here’s what they said.

What do Singaporeans think of AI?

As an undergraduate data science student, Saarvaneetha Sivakumar (Saarva), 20, is no stranger to AI. She shared that she uses the technology to verify answers or as a guide when she struggles with schoolwork. 

Like many students, Saarva also runs her assignments through AI to get feedback as it identifies weaknesses in her work that she can amend accordingly. Despite these benefits, she is also concerned about the technology’s accuracy. 

“I think AI still has a lot of flaws. Sometimes, you have to correct the AI because it gives you wrong answers,” said Saarva, adding that she questions how AI stores or uses the data she shared and is uncomfortable with her data being at risk of exposure. 

When asked how she would feel if she were taught by an AI in school, Saarva immediately opposed the idea, pointing out that AI can be trained on biased data and perpetuate harmful stereotypes towards certain students. 

Sasha Nicole Nair, 24, voiced similar privacy concerns, adding that she shops online at least three to four times a week. While she finds AI helpful for personalising recommendations and offering deals based on her interests, she’s cautious about how her data is collected and used. 

“My biggest concerns are data misuse and third-party sharing as I don’t know how secure my personal and shopping data is, and I do worry about my data being sold or shared without my permission,” she added.  

On the other hand, Nur Ubaidah, 29, a senior account executive, believes that it is safe to share her personal data to populate information to grow the database that the AI is using to serve medical patients better—as long as it is abiding by our laws and regulations. 

She explained that AI could be beneficial when explaining complicated medical jargon in layman terms, preventing miscommunication between doctors and patients. 

That said, Nur believes that human doctors should have the final say in diagnosing and treating patients and that the “only way” that AI can produce more accurate results is if data is accessed and used in a secure manner. 

Do you share similar concerns but are unsure if you’re an AI advocate or AI averse? Try this five-minute quiz to see where you stand in this debate.

Understanding more about AI

Based on the responses we received, Singaporeans are not opposed to using AI in their lives. However, they remain sceptical and fearful about their privacy protection, which limits the depth of their understanding of the technology. 

Acknowledging these concerns and potential implications, the National Library Board has collaborated with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to launch Catalyst.

It’s a programme that provides an open platform for Singaporeans to discuss how trust plays a vital role as AI becomes part of their everyday lives, and be a part of the conversation on how AI can be used more responsibly. 

For tertiary students, younger working adults, and lifelong learners looking to learn more about AI and its benefits, you can participate in this free event and gain access to exclusive workshops specifically curated for participants. 

Attendees will also get to network with industry leaders and like-minded peers, including representatives from NTU Centre for AI in Medicine, the National Institute of Education, and the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies, among others. 

Catalyst will be held in three stages, with the first and second stages to be held from January 8 to February 15, 2025. 

The first stage consists of three panel discussions focused on the impact of AI across three key sectors: education, healthcare, and retail. Attendees will participate in small group brainstorming sessions, applying what they have learnt to address various problem statements and gear up for co-solutioning in the later stages. 

Participants can also attend a workshop conducted by Design.AI, where attendees can try using the platform to make AI-generated logos, videos, and more, with their free trial accounts.

The second stage is a co-solution session, where attendees can collaborate with industry partners to ideate and pitch solutions to the challenges of AI and trust. They will also gain access to exclusive opportunities, such as a half-day tour of Google’s Singapore office and marketing workshops. 

The third and final stage will be held separately from the event in March 2025, where attendees who participated in the co-solution session will join a 90-day sprint developing prototypes. Those in the programme will receive guidance through workshops and be mentored by industry experts, who will also provide feedback.  

As technologies like AI evolve, you need to understand how AI could help you meet specific needs and your inclinations. 

While it will be some time before the event is launched, you can learn more about the programme here and stand a chance to win S$20 GrabGifts vouchers by taking the aforementioned five-minute quiz by December 31, 2024, too! 

Featured Image Credit: Flickr