UK and Singapore Tech Ties Strengthened with New Data and AI Agreements

The UK and Singapore have committed to jointly advancing government use of data and emerging technologies. Two new Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed this week during UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden’s visit to Singapore.

The agreements between the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Information and Smart Nation and Digital Government Office aim to deepen research and regulatory cooperation. They build on the UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement and Free Trade Agreement, supporting the £11.4 billion in annual services trade between the nations.

Deputy Prime Minister Dowden said: “Emerging technologies like AI present opportunities and challenges for all countries. By cooperating on research, regulation and government use, we can deliver better public services. The UK and Singapore are tech leaders, and these agreements will strengthen that position and boost trade and investment.”

Singapore Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo commented: “These MoUs build on our recent deals in digital trade, identities and cybersecurity. The speed and rigor of our collaboration shows our strategic alignment on the digital economy, AI, future communications and data.”

The MoUs will enable “tangible benefits for businesses and people,” she said.

UK Technology Secretary Chloe Smith added: “Agreements like these drive the PM’s vision of the UK as a leading tech nation, especially in fast-evolving areas like AI. As advanced tech economies, the UK and Singapore will benefit greatly from close cooperation on new technologies and data use.”

The Emerging Technologies MoU commits to

• Sharing experiences implementing new infrastructure like 5G to improve connectivity.
• Promoting AI business partnerships and replicating ‘trustworthy’ AI.
• Aligning AI technical standards.
• NHS and Singapore research on using AI to enhance healthcare.