AI Influence Profile
Christopher de Souza
Profile pending. This page currently summarises parliamentary appearances and policy links from existing records.
Parliamentary speeches (11)
MDDI Committee of Supply 2026 — AI as Strategic Advantage
2026-03-02 · Parliament 15
The most AI-intensive debate in Budget 2026. The MDDI GPC delivered coordinated scrutiny across six themes: AI value proposition, digital capabilities, ethical governance, inclusive growth, infrastructure and cybersecurity, and a high-trust digital society. Minister Josephine Teo announced: (1) support for 100,000 workers to become "AI bilingual", starting with accountancy and legal professions and scaled via TeSA; (2) the world's first Model Governance Framework for Agentic AI; (3) Singapore will host the second International Scientific Exchange on AI Safety to update the "Singapore Consensus"; (4) targeted action to close the SME AI gap so that frontier firms do not pull away. MP focus areas: deepfake regulation (Christopher de Souza), AI media literacy (Fadli Fawzi), data centre investment competition, AI impact on PMEs, and cybersecurity against AI-enabled threats.
Tracking of Scams Perpetuated through Deepfake Video and Images
2024-08-06 · Parliament 14
MP Christopher de Souza asked whether the police are tracking the number of scams perpetrated through deepfake video and images. Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam replied that the police are not specifically tracking such cases — some reports have been received but the numbers are not high. The core debate: how seriously the government treats deepfake-enabled scams and the transparency of the data.
Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)
2024-03-01 · Parliament 14
MPs asked how Singapore will strengthen digital infrastructure and talent development in the AI era, stressing that AI brings both opportunity and risk and that humans must remain in control. The government replied that it will keep stepping up investment, drive National AI Strategy 2.0, lift network speeds and compute, and safeguard digital trust. The core debate: balance between tech progress and safety/ethics, and whether investment is sufficient.
Debate on Annual Budget Statement
2024-02-27 · Parliament 14
MP Sharael Taha questioned the Budget's focus on long-term sustainability, pointing to a tension between residents' expectations for short-term cash support and concerns about long-term development. DPM Lawrence Wong replied that the international environment is increasingly complex, with the post-Cold War world now more conflict-prone and uncertain. The core debate: how to balance immediate cost-of-living needs with future economic security, and the policy response under new conditions.
Regulations to Tackle Deepfake Software Being Used in Scam and Fraud Cases
2024-02-05 · Parliament 14
An MP asked about the government's regulation and prevention measures against deepfake software used in scams. The government replied that the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA) authorises action on online platforms, and it is pushing technology R&D and industry collaboration while strengthening public education to improve detection and response. The core debate: how to effectively curb deepfake abuse and protect online safety and public interest.
Measures to Enhance Public Technological Understanding to Combat Cybercrime and Deepfake Content
2024-02-05 · Parliament 14
An MP asked how the government helps the public understand AI and its capabilities to combat cybercrime and deepfake content. The government cited cross-agency cybersecurity work, the OCHA's powers over platforms, R&D on deepfake detection, and multiple public education campaigns. The core debate: how to effectively combine technology and education to lift public awareness and capability.
Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)
2023-02-28 · Parliament 14
MPs asked how Singapore balances data use with user protection in the digital economy, focusing on online-safety legislation progress and regulation of emerging areas like the metaverse. They stressed that rules must protect users without stifling innovation, especially SME digitalisation. The government's response is not yet detailed in the excerpt. The core debate: balancing the digital economy with cybersecurity.
Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)
2022-03-04 · Parliament 14
MPs asked how the government balances investment in digital infrastructure and tech innovation (6G, Web 4.0) with digital inclusion of vulnerable groups to prevent a widening digital divide. They focused on the timeliness and proportionality of digital regulation, especially in emerging areas like crypto and the metaverse. The government must balance economic vitality with social cohesion, making sure the whole population stays included and safe.
Ensuring Formidable and Mission-ready Singapore Armed Forces Using Technological Advancement
2022-01-11 · Parliament 14
An MP asked how Singapore's low fertility rate affects SAF strength. The Defence Minister replied that MINDEF has long built manpower needs into strategic planning and uses technology to lift force effectiveness — automated radar, unmanned vessels, AI applications — continuously optimising HR so that defence capability is not weakened by smaller cohorts.
Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)
2021-03-02 · Parliament 14
MPs asked how the government will develop digital leadership talent and push women into tech, proposing a mentorship programme and raising concerns about gender imbalance. The government has launched multiple talent programmes but specific measures for digital leadership and female participation are not yet clear. The core debate: how to effectively attract and retain top tech talent and close the gender gap.
Legal Provisions and Safeguards in Using TraceTogether Data
2021-01-04 · Parliament 14
MPs asked whether TraceTogether data would be used in criminal investigations and what legal safeguards apply. The government replied that the police can obtain such data under the Criminal Procedure Code, with strict access controls and penalties to protect data security. The debate centred on whether the data should be restricted to pandemic use, and whether use in criminal investigations would erode public trust and uptake.