Commentary: Singapore’s next big technology bet cannot wait till we’ve figured out AI
AI is today’s imperative. Quantum may be tomorrow’s advantage. The country must invest in both, say SGTech’s Gavin Chua and Gunasekharan Chellappan.
Singapore's economy has always benefited from a strategic approach to technology adoption, investing in both promising technologies now and those that could drive future growth. However, there is currently confusion surrounding AI adoption and the potential of quantum computing. The Economic Strategy Review (ESR) highlights the need for Singapore to develop a comprehensive plan for both, rather than prioritizing one over the other.
The ESR emphasizes the importance of preparing for emerging technologies like quantum computing, even though they are not yet commercially viable. This is because these new technologies could complement existing ones, such as AI, to create powerful synergies. For instance, quantum computing could greatly enhance optimisation and simulation capabilities, which are increasingly vital for industries such as logistics and finance.
To bridge the gap between AI and quantum technology, Singapore needs to build an ecosystem involving industry, government, academia, and investors. Government agencies should drive national capabilities and create experimental platforms, while research institutions provide scientific expertise. Resourceful businesses can deliver real-world use cases, investors facilitate scaling promising innovations, and trade associations help connect the dots.
Written by urgent.news from Channel News Asia's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
