Catherine Lian, General Manager & Technology Leader, IBM ASEAN

1. How do you use technology/policy to improve citizens’ lives? Tell us about your role or organisation. 

At IBM, we find purpose in bringing breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting services to deliver open and flexible options to our clients.

All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, and inclusivity. IBM has an unprecedented opportunity to swiftly respond to our clients' needs with our world-class expertise.

I aim to continue championing IBM’s mission to help our clients across ASEAN raise the bar by putting Hybrid Cloud and AI technologies to work in transforming the way we work, play, live and learn.

I believe that by leveraging cutting-edge technology as a fundamental source of competitive advantage, businesses across ASEAN can become formidable powerhouses to be reckoned with. 

One of the crucial areas I am focused on is advancing responsible AI for governments and organizations. AI is a profound opportunity and the stakes are high.

If AI is not deployed responsibly, it could have real-world consequences - especially in sensitive, safety-critical areas. This is a serious challenge we must overcome. 

I am energised to have led my team to support some meaningful, responsible AI projects that will benefit the public sector. 

1. AI regulation

• We play a key role in developing frameworks and best practices for the ethical use of AI. IBM is currently one of nine premier members who will set strategic directions and development roadmap of responsible AI for the AI Verify Foundation in Singapore.  

• Under Singapore’s leadership, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in February 2024 published a framework for artificial intelligence governance and ethics. IBM is one of the companies consulted for this framework. 

2. AI governance implementation 

• Feedloop AI is tapping on IBM watsonx to help Indonesia’s public and private sectors address governance and regulatory compliance.  

• The Monetary Authority of Singapore is collaborating with IBM to demonstrate the MAS Veritas toolkit integration with IBM AI governance solution that helps to comply with MAS fairness requirements, and at the same time, provide a complete AI lifecycle governance tool for continuous monitoring in operations.  

3. AI skills development 

• Globally, IBM has committed to give free AI training to targeted 2 million people by 2026. Across Asean, IBM announced several collaborations in Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipines and Indonesia to provide AI and tech-related courses on the IBM SkillsBuild. The initiatives will equip thousands of youths, women, and adult learners with essential digital skills.  

To subscribe to the GovInsider bulletin click here.

2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year? 

There have been many initiatives and projects leading to impactful results across ASEAN. Most recently, specific to Singapore, I would like to highlight three projects that I feel will impact the way citizens will benefit from technology adoption.  

• Our strategic collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to establish a new AI research and innovation center is significant because once it’s equipped with full AI infrastructure and supported by the strong research expertise of NUS and IBM. The center will go on to serve as an innovation platform for Singapore agencies, academic and research institutions, as well as companies to jointly conduct cutting-edge AI research with significant translational potential.  
   

• In a first-of-its-kind collaboration in the Asia-Pacific, SBS Transit, Singapore's leading public transport operator, will leverage IBM Maximo Application Suite to drive higher rail reliability and efficiency that will serve Singaporean commuters well. 
   

• Mandai Wildlife Reserve will introduce Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) from 2025 onwards. One of the three robots to be rolled out is developed using IBM’s watsonx and will act as a digital concierge - greeting  visitors with wayfinding, and providing personalised visitors’ itinerary and answers to park-related questions. 

3. What was one unexpected learning from 2024? 

The age-old gender gap has gained a new sense of urgency with the proliferation of GenAI.

Many of the early use cases for this emerging technology are focused on functions that have historically been dominated by women, such as marketing and customer service.

This means, as generative AI disrupts workflows and demands organization-wide transformation, women have a once-in-a-career opportunity to gain equal footing!

By distinguishing themselves as change agents and embracing the skill sets that are quickly becoming essential, women not only can ascend to positions of power—but also help redefine the leadership roles of the future.
 
As a leader, I think it is great opportunity for women to see generative AI as an advantage and a tool that works FOR them, and take charge. Women must lead in piloting AI tools. 

4. What’s a tool or technique you’re excited to explore in 2025? 

It would be more GenAI applications!

At IBM, we have implemented several AI-driven digital assistants, such as AskHR for talent and HR processes and AskIBM, a tool that helps IBM employees with routine business activities so they can focus on more strategic work.

I’m excited to see how people use genAI creatively to reimagine work. 

To subscribe to the GovInsider bulletin click here.

5. Everybody’s talking about AI today – give us your hot take on AI and what it means for the public sector.

Many AI systems to date have been black boxes. To trust a decision made by an algorithm, we need to know that it is fair, reliable, and can be accounted for.

Public trust is essential for AI adoption, particularly for the public sector.

In 2025, I anticipate more governments in the region to adopt and implement consistent smart AI regulation that would allow businesses and society to reap the benefits of AI while addressing the potential for misuse and risk.

IBM advocates for smart AI regulation, and recommends governments to focus on these three principles. 

1. We should regulate AI risk, not AI algorithms. As each AI application is unique, we strongly believe that regulation must account for the context in which AI is deployed and must ensure that the high-risk uses of AI are regulated more closely. This kind of smart, precision regulation works.  

2. Make AI creators and deployers accountable, not immune to liability. Legislation should consider the different roles of AI creators and deployers and hold them accountable in the context in which they develop or deploy AI.  

3. Support open AI innovation, not an AI licensing regime. An AI licensing regime would be a serious blow to open innovation and risks creating a form of regulatory capture. A vibrant open AI ecosystem is good for competition, innovation, skilling, and security.  

IBM is ready and committed to play a pivotal role in bringing the power of responsible AI and I look forward to working closely with governments. 

6. What are your priorities for 2025? 

As AI adoption increases, so must the importance of laying down the right guardrails. Championing and putting my voice and support for AI ethics and governance remains a top priority.  

Another important focus is on ongoing education and upskilling. With AI, we found that more women are worried that AI-driven automation will replace them in their current jobs.  

I was appointed the PIKOM (The National Tech Association of Malaysia) Councillor in 2021 where I am the only woman on the leadership board.

At IBM, we place the advancement and retention of women with leadership potential as a key business priority – and this is one that I’ll continue to nurture.

Therefore, this imperative is built into all talent strategies, and we offer many programs designed to help women advance. 

7. What advice do you have for public sector innovators? 

In today’s era of GenAI, user trust is more essential than ever. It becomes even more important in a technology driven world where regulations are continuously adapting to technological advancements.  

My advice would be two-fold. As public sector innovators, we need to be careful custodians for ushering powerful new technologies into the world responsibly and with clear purpose.

In addition, we should be open to constantly adapting and never stop learning as that will keep us relevant in this ever-changing world.  

8. Who inspires you today? 

Personally, Mother Teresa has been my role model.  Her commitment to serve the underprivileged and vulnerable people across the world, made a lasting impact to everyone’s life including mine.

Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her unwavering commitment to serving the poorest of the poor and bringing hope to those in desperate need.

She has been widely acknowledged her compassion, selflessness, and efforts in alleviating human suffering.

An icon of selflessness and service, her words "I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples" have shaped me to always break my own glass ceilings by being an upstander for driving digital literacy to empower many underserved communities and fostering inclusion within the industry.