AI Influence Profile
S Iswaran
Positioning
Member of Parliament. Spoke in 8 AI-related parliamentary debates (2018–2021), most often on AI Economy & Industry and AI Governance & Regulation.
Parliamentary AI record (8)
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.
Consideration to Formulate Regulations Binding on Artificial Intelligence Systems Deployed Locally
2020-03-04 · Parliament 13
An MP asked whether the government is considering binding regulations on locally deployed AI systems to ensure ethical and safe use. The government replied that AI is still nascent and there are no immediate legislative plans, but multiple initiatives are in place to promote safe and ethical use — the Model AI Governance Framework, the ethics advisory council, and related research — and it will keep tracking global developments to balance regulation with innovation.
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.
Update on Work of Advisory Council Set Up in 2019 to Promote Ethical Collection and Use of Data Obtained from Persons without Their Knowledge or Consent for Commercial Use
2020-02-03 · Parliament 13
An MP asked about the progress of the Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data, formed in 2018. The government replied that the council has driven the development and rollout of Singapore's AI governance framework, encouraging responsible AI and data use by organisations and lifting public trust. The core debate: how to ensure that commercial use of data without informed consent meets ethical standards.
Role of Personal Data Protection Commission in Investigating Blood Donors' Data Leak
2019-04-01 · Parliament 13
MPs asked about the PDPC's investigation role in the blood-donor data leak and whether public agencies should be subject to the PDPA. The government replied that PDPC is investigating the private IT vendor involved, and public agencies are governed by other regulations with data-protection standards no lower than the PDPA. The core debate: whether public agencies should be exempt from PDPA oversight and the accountability mechanisms.
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.
Review of Public Agencies Exemption Provisions in Personal Data Protection Act
2019-02-12 · Parliament 13
MPs asked whether the PDPA should be amended to remove the exemption for public agencies in light of data-leak risks. The government replied that the public sector already has multiple legal and policy safeguards, stressing that public-sector data management differs from the private sector, adopts a different legal regime, and the rules will be kept under review. The core debate: whether public-agency data protection should be brought under unified PDPA oversight.
Profile and Success Rate of Singapore Startups
2018-02-27 · Parliament 13
An MP asked about entrepreneurship trends among young Singaporeans and the success rate of startups. The government replied that the share of young local entrepreneurs is rising, entrepreneurial intent is stronger, the startup scene is steadily growing, and Singapore performs well in international rankings. The core debate: how to define startup success and how Singapore compares with other countries.