Wahid Pessarlay
The United States and Singapore are the latest countries to ink a deal to collaborate on emerging technologies and occupy a leading position in innovation and regulation.
According to a report by The Straits Times, the recent agreement between the two nations appears to focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools to improve local economies. With AI, Singapore and the U.S. are both exploring defense applications using large language models (LLMs), but the exact details are still under wraps.
Both nations will explore ideas on the best way to manage data and use analytics with AI to defend their national sovereignty.
Typically, the U.S. has always adopted a close-ended approach toward sharing ideas on military use cases with AI, citing national security risks, making the collaboration with Singapore a historic arrangement. The North American nation has previously placed an embargo on exporting advanced AI chips to China and several Middle Eastern countries over national security issues.
However, the U.S. considers Singapore to be an important ally in Southeast Asia, with both nations keen to build on a long and storied history of military collaboration over the last two decades. In May, Singapore and the U.S. signed a defense agreement to collaborate on AI and autonomous systems for military operations at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s leading defense summit.
“Singapore, a key technology innovator in the Asia-Pacific region, remains one of our most valued defence partners, and we look forward to further deepening this critical relationship,” said Radha Iyengar Plumb, the U.S . Defense Department’s chief digital and artificial intelligence officer.
The latest agreement will involve increased information and technology sharing between both nations, with defense chiefs ironing out the finer details of future military cooperation.
“Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly vital in helping militaries secure a competitive edge in today’s digital battlefield,” said Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen. “I am glad both Singapore and the US are working closely together to accelerate and scale AI adoption in military applications.”
In recent years, the U.S. has extended its footprint in the Asia-Pacific, entering into a similar arrangement with Japan for AI integration in fighter jets and drones.
Military use cases growing
While enterprises are turning to AI for enhanced productivity levels, military use cases for the technology have reached impressive levels in recent months. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has unveiled a blueprint to incorporate the technology for member states, while Chinese and Russian militaries are collaborating to push the frontiers of the technology.
Aware of the threats posed by AI, the UN Security Council has warned member states to proceed with caution in the incorporation of the technology in military operations, comparing it to nuclear warheads. Service members in the Philippines have been banned from using AI applications over concerns bordering on impersonation and security breaches, according to an internal memo.
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