Masagos: No Vulnerable Group Should Be Left Behind in AI Push

Caption language: en · Fetched: 2026-05-09

And a call to leave no vulnerable group behind amid technological disruptions. Singapore's Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli says AI should instead be harnessed for its disability sector. He was speaking at the St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, as Chloe Teo reports. The adaptability of Singapore's workers has been the core essence that has helped the country ride out every crisis. Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli says the country's social compacts have also worked to ensure national progress. Peace in Singapore is not something we take for granted, especially among the multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-religious society that we were born with. Meritocracy, we know over time, cannot operate on its own in its in its pure form.

And therefore, we do help those who cannot cannot afford to to compete early to make sure that they have they are well-resourced at the starting line. Mr. Masagos was speaking at the 55th St. Gallen Symposium in Switzerland, an annual student-run conference held at the University of St. Gallen. Leaders from the public and private sectors gather for intergenerational debates on economic, political, and social developments. Singapore has been a critical partner in the event for some 25 years, a reflection of the long-standing ties between Singapore and Switzerland. Beyond an international platform for Singapore leaders to share the country's approach to key challenges, it's also a platform for bilateral exchanges for youth from both nations. Mr.

Masagos says there are opportunities for every member of society, especially youth in Singapore, to realize their potential. Singapore must be a society of opportunity. It must always have opportunity for everyone, no matter where you are, and that we must help more those who are at the bottom so that they don't become an entrenched generation after generation. And I think this is one of the purposeful way to move our youth into doing something with this community so that they find that they are expanding their energy to move them together with the government. Mr. Masagos adds that no one will be forgotten in Singapore's AI push, including those with lower incomes and vulnerable groups like people with disabilities.

He says that as Singapore builds a more inclusive digital future, it also wants to learn from countries that are developing cutting-edge technologies. Chloe Tio, CNA, Singapore and Switzerland.