AI Influence Profile
Rahayu Mahzam
Positioning
Member of Parliament. Spoke in 9 AI-related parliamentary debates (2019–2026), most often on AI Economy & Industry and AI & Employment.
Parliamentary AI record (9)
Regulating Young People's Access to Social Media after US Negligence Finding against Meta and Alphabet
2026-05-06 · Parliament 15
Mr Vikram Nair, citing the US Court's finding that Meta and Alphabet were negligent in designing platforms that harmed young people, asked MDDI whether the Government would regulate young people's access to social media, including a potential ban. Minister of State Ms Rahayu Mahzam (for MDDI) first noted the matter had been covered in earlier written replies, then engaged the supplementary: the Government is taking reference from the judgment, whose findings "add to the growing body of evidence"; the harms are real and taken seriously — but it takes a different approach, seeking something more effective and more durable that can withstand the evolution of technology. She stressed that the judgment showed it is specific features and dimensions of platforms that cause harm, not the platforms wholesale, so MDDI targets the specific harms and the specific design features that produce them, calibrated by the user's age — which is "more demanding, more rigorous than a blanket ban". Singapore is not starting from a blank slate: it already has the Code of Practice for Online Safety, age assurance for apps and annual reporting by designated social media services, and has recently acted against X and TikTok. Next, it will extend age assurance to designated social media services and move beyond content to design features — direct messaging from strangers, auto-play, other features driving excessive use, and "emerging risks from AI companions". The Government is not foreclosing a ban ("we will do whatever it takes to protect our young ones"), but notes a blanket ban is not a globally accepted position — Estonia, Belgium and New York State have not applied one, and Australia has amended its law toward a more targeted, design-feature-focused approach.
Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Digital Development and Information)
2025-03-07 · Parliament 14
MPs asked about digital infrastructure resilience and security safeguards, focusing on cloud and data centre security guidelines. The government emphasised the strong growth of Singapore's digital economy and the issuance of guidance to lift infrastructure security, ensuring digital transformation is sustainable and inclusive. The core debate: how to further strengthen infrastructure against round-the-clock operational risks.
Gender Gaps in AI-adoption and Initiatives to Encourage Better AI Technologies Adoption in Educational and Workplace Settings
2024-10-16 · Parliament 14
Questions focused on the gender gap in Singapore's AI adoption (especially generative AI) and acceptance among different groups. The government replied that Singapore women's tech-sector share outperforms the global average and women make up a notable share of generative AI users. It outlined multiple AI education and training programmes for different groups, emphasising inclusion and broad reach. The core debate: how to design more effective targeted strategies for specific groups.
Committee of Supply – Head K (Ministry of Education)
2024-03-01 · Parliament 14
MPs stressed that education must adapt to rapid technological change, especially the challenges from generative AI, calling for expanded upskilling courses and support for students' diverse development. The government acknowledged the system's resilience and international performance and committed to building students' adaptability and creativity. The core debate: balancing traditional teaching with cultivation of emerging skills, and broadening the scope of funding use.
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 K (Ministry of Education)
2023-02-28 · Parliament 14
MPs raised the education budget and career-guidance support, emphasising educators' contributions during the pandemic and the importance of future skills development. They proposed stronger career counselling for youth and working adults and broader use of SkillsFuture Credit for lifelong learning. The government has not yet responded in this excerpt. The core debate: how to better support youth career development and skills matching.
Committee of Supply – Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)
2020-03-03 · Parliament 13
MPs raised data-sharing, privacy protection, design-thinking innovation, and AI ethics frameworks in the digital transformation, focusing on Singapore's challenges with limited data scale and SME digitalisation capability. The government addressed digital trade agreements, data privacy principles, and innovation-driving measures, emphasising the development of an AI ethics framework. The core debate: balancing data sharing with privacy protection and lifting local-firm digital capability.
Committee of Supply - Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)
2019-03-04 · Parliament 13
MPs raised challenges for Singapore firms — especially SMEs — in digital transformation, focusing on helping them overcome funding, technology, and talent adaptation issues. The government emphasised the importance of the digital economy for lifting productivity and responding to population ageing, supporting firm innovation and capability-building. The core debate: practical SME digitalisation difficulties and the effectiveness of government support.
Committee of Supply − Head U (Prime Minister's Office)
2019-02-28 · Parliament 13
Questions focused on how the Public Service can use AI and data analytics to lift efficiency, integrate services, and meet citizen needs. MPs emphasised that technology should be citizen-centred and avoid mechanical enforcement, with the government pushing high-tech, high-touch, and high-adaptability transformation in the public sector to lift productivity and service quality.
Speeches (14)
Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at the Launch of KPMG and NLB’s “Read to Lead: Building an AI-Ready Mind”
2026-07-14 · Launch of KPMG and NLB’s “Read to Lead: Building an AI-Ready Mind”
Address by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at Cisco Connect 2026
2026-06-23 · Cisco Connect
Opening Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at the AI in Health x ATxSummit
2026-05-19 · AI in Health x ATxSummit
Remarks by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at the Launch of Lions Befrienders' New Neighbourhood Assistant for Nurturing Ageing (NANA) AI Initiative
2026-04-30 · Launch of Lions Befrienders' New Neighbourhood Assistant for Nurturing Ageing (NANA) AI Initiative
Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at the Design AI and Tech Awards 2026
2026-04-15 · Design AI and Tech Awards 2026
Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam’s Speech at Microsoft Public Sector Solutions Day 2026
2026-04-09 · Microsoft Public Sector Solutions Day
Transcript of MOS Rahayu Mahzam’s Opening Address at Singapore Semiconductor Women’s Forum
2026-03-11 · Singapore Semiconductor Women’s Forum
Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at EDUTech Asia 2025
2025-11-05 · EDUTech Asia
Opening Address by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at AICon @ BeyondXpo
2025-10-03 · AICon @ BeyondXpo
Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at the Reimagining F&B in a Growing AI Environment Forum
2025-07-17 · Reimagining F&B in a Growing AI Environment Forum
Closing Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at AI Student Developer Conference
2025-05-29 · AI Student Developer Conference
Closing Address by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at AI in Health Symposium 2025
2025-05-27 · AI in Health Symposium 2025
Speech by MOS Rahayu Mahzam at G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Brazil
2024-09-13 · G20 Digital Economy Ministerial Meeting in Brazil
Opening Remarks by MOS Rahayu Mahzam At IBM Future Workforce in AI Era
2024-08-23 · IBM Future Workforce in AI Era