Singapore and the European Union Agree to Strengthen Collaboration on AI Safety

Singapore and the European Union Agree to Strengthen Collaboration on AI Safety

Singapore, 20 November 2024 - Singapore and the European Union (EU) have formalised their collaboration on Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety with the establishment of a new Administrative Arrangement (AA). This arrangement will enhance cooperation in promoting technological innovation, and the development and responsible use of safe, trustworthy, and human-centric AI. It aims to contribute to enhancing economic and technological advancement in the field of AI. This bilateral arrangement also supports the wider efforts by the international AI Safety Institutes (AISIs) Network of which both Singapore and the European Union are members.

2. The AA on Collaboration on AI Safety was signed by Mr Joseph Leong, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) of Singapore, and Mr Roberto Viola, Director-General of the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission (DG CONNECT). The AA was exchanged during a bilateral meeting between Mrs Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information of Singapore, and Ms Margrethe Vestager, the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for 'A Europe Fit for the Digital Age'.

Key Objectives of the Administrative Arrangement

3. In line with Singapore and the EU's work through the AISIs Network, both parties will establish a framework for cooperation between Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), the Digital Trust Centre (DTC) at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) which has been designated as Singapore's AI Safety Institute; DG CONNECT and the EU AI Office. The goal is to drive AI safety research; strengthen our understanding of evaluations of advanced AI; and support best practices and protocols in safe and trustworthy AI. Key areas of cooperation include:

a. Information Exchange: Sharing expertise of information and best practices on aspects of AI safety, including relevant technologies, governance frameworks, technical tools and evaluations, and research and development, for the purpose of advancing AI safety. These may include expert information exchange with related partners, such as institutes of higher learning, think-tanks, enterprises, government agencies, or other ecosystem stakeholders.

b. Joint Testing and Evaluations: Conducting assessments of general-purpose AI models to evaluate their capabilities, limitations, and risks, including challenges arising from deployment.

c. Development of Tools and Benchmarks: Creating frameworks to evaluate capabilities, limitations, and risks associated with general-purpose AI models.

d. Standardisation Activities: For general-purpose AI.

e. AI Safety Research: Advancing joint research initiatives to explore new approaches to promote safer AI systems and manage and mitigate risks.

f. Insights on Emerging Trends: Sharing perspectives on technological developments in the field of AI to better address evolving challenges.

Arrangement strengthens existing SG-EU digital partnerships

4. The Arrangement strengthens existing digital partnerships between both parties, which Minister Teo and EVP Vestager also reaffirmed at their meeting, including the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership (EUSDP) signed in February 2023 and the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (EUSDTA) which was concluded in July 2024.

5. Minister Teo and EVP Vestager also discussed Singapore's latest Smart Nation developments and looked forward to further development of our digital partnership in other areas such as online safety.