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.
The Data Cooperation MoU commits to:
- Increasing digital trade and sharing data use best practices to improve government efficiency.
- Establishing an intergovernmental dialogue on data regulation, protection and transfer.
- Sharing research on using data to deliver better public services and growth.
- Developing standards for publishing anonymised government data to enable global cooperation.
- Sharing best practices for government and public-private data management.
Together, the MoUs position the UK and Singapore as leaders in data-driven tech and governance. With rapid digitalisation and an exponential rise in cross-border data flows, establishing models of open yet secure data access and use is crucial.
These agreements indicate a shared commitment to navigating the frontiers of emerging tech and establishing a governance blueprint for the digital age. By openly exchanging lessons learned and forging a joint vision of responsible data and AI advancement, the UK and Singapore can set standards for optimising the benefits of technology in government and business.
At this watershed moment, data and AI partnerships between advanced and trusted nations are pivotal. The UK-Singapore partnership serves as a model for ethical digital cooperation and governance on a global scale.
To learn more about data, AI, technology partnerships, and steps to incorporate a company in Singapore, contact IMC Group. As leaders in forging and facilitating multinational technology collaborations, IMC is well-positioned to provide strategic counsel and support in identifying, negotiating, and implementing impactful global data and AI alliances.
