Darshini Ramiah, Senior Manager, AI Governance & Safety, Data Innovation & Protection Group, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore

1) What does public service mean to you? Can you share more about your role in the public sector?

Public service is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives; to serve with responsibility, empathy, and a focus on real impact.

In my role on the artificial intelligence (AI) Governance and Safety team at Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), I do this by developing and implementing policies that support the trustworthy development and use of AI for the Public Good.

2) Tell us about a project you championed. What impact did it have on the community?

Earlier this year, I led IMDA’s project team for the Singapore AI Safety Red Teaming Challenge 2026 – the world’s first multilingual and multicultural Generative AI (Gen AI) red teaming exercise in the Asia-Pacific.

Bringing together over 80 domain experts from 14 countries, this hands-on exercise involved testing Gen AI applications (apps) for data leakage risks.

Through the Challenge, we found that Gen AI’s inherent characteristics could make everyday apps like chatbots and research assistants more susceptible to data leakage, especially when deployed in regional languages.

These insights enable the development and enhancement of mitigation strategies to support responsible Gen AI development and deployment, which is especially important in the context of Gen AI apps since these have the most direct impact on individual users. 

Initiatives like the Red Teaming Challenge not only benefit Singapore but also uplift Gen AI safety for our region, ensuring that AI can address local cultures and languages and navigate regional concerns sensitively.

3) As a young professional, how has your unique background or perspective allowed you to identify a solution that others in your organisation might have overlooked?

I’m a lawyer by training and spent my early career in traditional legal roles.

This has equipped me with the analytical rigour and risk management skills needed to translate complex societal goals into enforceable, legally sound frameworks. 

I can often anticipate potential consequences or loopholes in new policies and suggest workarounds to ensure objectives are still met.

4) What is your personal strategy for staying motivated when managing heavy workloads and tight deadlines?

Caffeine!

More seriously, reminding myself that my work is making a difference for Singapore and the welfare of Singaporeans.

I also know when it’s time to take a break. I preserve my weekends as best as I can to spend time with family and friends, pursue my hobbies, and take naps to recharge.

5) If you had just one area to invest in to accelerate transformation in the public sector (regulation, technology, talent, etc.), which one would you choose and why?

Given my work, I’d have to say technology!

When done right, I believe that digital infrastructure, tools, and services have the potential to improve efficiency and accessibility, as well as deliver better outcomes for people.

That said, transformation for its own sake is pointless if public servants and the public are not equipped to embrace technology with confidence. There is a need for up-skilling and public education to ensure no one is left behind.

6) What is your greatest ambition as you grow in your public service career?

I want a breadth of experience across different sectors, exploring how technology is reshaping them in real and unpredictable ways.

I’m also eager for complex challenges where good outcomes involve bringing different perspectives together.

Over time, I hope to contribute to shaping thoughtful, forward-looking policies that keep pace with technological change without losing sight of what really matters to people.

7) What is a “universal value” that connects everyone in your department – from interns to directors – and how do you use that to drive collaboration?

Responsibility.

My team has a shared understanding that the work we do on AI governance directly affects public trust, security, and Singapore’s long-term interests.

As we develop policies and tools, build technical capabilities, and partner with stakeholders, this sense of responsibility keeps us focused on ensuring that our interventions are practical and balanced.

8) What is the best piece of advice you’ve got for the next generation of public servants?

Never lose sight of who public service is for.

The real measure of good policy is whether people feel heard, supported, and can live with greater dignity and opportunity. Good public servants respect process but also know process is not the purpose - we should be willing to try new approaches when old ones are no longer enough.

9) What is a myth you wish to debunk about young public servants?

That young public servants (or young workers generally) are entitled and unwilling to put in hard grunt work. It’s an easy assumption to make, especially when young officers’ working styles can be so different!

I’ve realised that most of them are actually deeply committed to their profession, but are just more likely to question assumptions or look for better ways of doing things - which is often a good thing! They’re also more adaptable and collaborative than they are given credit for.

I value the young officers on my team and am excited to watch them mature and flourish in their careers.

10) Write a letter to your future self in 2035. Please keep it within 200 words.

Hi Darshini!

Has AI taken over yet?

Hopefully not, because that also means we’ve done some things right!

I’m curious to know how Singapore has navigated this transformation.

What do Singaporeans worry about in 2035?

And which problems are you working on now?

Wherever life has taken us, I expect it’s been exciting and meaningful. It may not always have been smooth sailing, but I know we are better for it.

As you chug on, remember to be kind to yourself and take time to appreciate the little things. You’ll need stamina because we’ve still got ~20 years of careering to go!