Goh Siew Hong, Deputy Director, Smart City Technology Division, GovTech Singapore

1. How would your friends and family describe you?  

My friends and family would describe me as someone who loves challenges and is eager to find new ways of solving problems. I believe that most issues can be approached from different angles, and I'm mindful of avoiding a 'hammer and nail' mindset where every problem has only one solution. I'm constantly exploring new knowledge and skills, whether in systems engineering, robotics, or personal DIY projects, to create practical and innovative solutions.  

In pursuing my hobby, I often work on hands-on projects, applying what I learn in real life. Whether it's devising smarter ways to manage home systems, crafting intelligent solutions for sustainable gardening, or contributing to large-scale smart city initiatives, I'm passionate about turning creative ideas into action.  

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2. What was the most impactful project you worked on this year or in your time with GovTech?  

The most impactful project I’ve worked on this year has been the Punggol Digital District (PDD), with a focus on the Open Digital Platform (ODP) development. This platform connects various building systems via middleware, enabling seamless integration of advanced technologies such as IoT, AI, and robotics. The PDD serves as a pioneering testbed for the future of urban facilities management, demonstrating how these integrated technologies can elevate services and enhance the overall experience for businesses, employees, and visitors in the district.  

A central focus of the district is sustainability, with efforts directed towards smart energy management, automated waste solutions, and optimized resource usage. The goal is to create an eco-friendly environment that could set a benchmark for future urban developments. These initiatives reflect the district’s ongoing commitment to harmonizing technological innovation with environmental responsibility. By embedding sustainable practices into the design of smart infrastructure, the project aims to create a flexible framework capable of adapting to changing sustainability standards and guiding future urban projects.  

Being part of this project has been incredibly fulfilling, as it represents a forward-thinking approach to urban planning. The digital infrastructure is being designed with the adaptability to incorporate emerging technologies, ensuring its continued relevance in an evolving technological landscape. As the project evolves, it presents an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of urban living, which aligns closely with my passion for leveraging technology to create meaningful societal benefits.  

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

At the risk of sounding cliché, the saying 'AI won’t replace your job, but a person who knows AI will' holds a lot of truth. AI is an irreversible trend that is transforming how we work, significantly boosting productivity across sectors—from improving customer service response times and automating data analysis, to streamlining operations and decision-making workflows, as well as content creation. It’s no longer a question of if AI will be integrated, but when and how deeply.  

In the public sector, AI offers immense potential to streamline operations, enhance decision-making, and deliver more personalized services to citizens. Whether it’s optimizing resource allocation, improving public safety, or automating routine tasks like data processing, AI can help governments become more responsive and efficient. As technology continues to evolve, embracing AI will be crucial for the public sector to navigate future challenges and continuously improve service delivery.   

4. What advice do you have for public sector innovators? Or people looking to join the public sector?  

Be open to change and stay adaptable, while always keeping empathy at the heart of your work. Change is inevitable—whether it comes from new technologies, policies, or shifting societal needs—so it’s important to remain flexible and embrace the need to evolve. Even in roles that aren’t directly citizen-facing, staying connected to the people impacted by your work allows you to create innovations that are both effective and compassionate, ensuring they truly benefit those you serve.

Anticipate that new ideas may face resistance, which is a natural part of introducing change. However, with patience, persistence, and clear communication, you can inspire others and gradually build support. Focus on changing what you can first. Building up momentum can lead to bigger shifts over time, eventually resulting in meaningful and lasting progress.  

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

I’m particularly excited to explore AI agent architecture in greater depth. AI agents, with their ability to operate autonomously, make decisions, and interact intelligently with their environments, have the potential to redefine how we approach automation and complex problem-solving.  

A critical aspect of AI agents is their architecture—the framework that enables them to perceive, reason, act, and learn. As AI agent architecture continues to advance, it could unlock new possibilities for systems to operate seamlessly across different domains. From enhancing decision-making in smart cities to enabling intelligent assistants that manage complex workflows in business, the architecture of AI agents provides the foundation for these systems to adapt, optimize, and evolve with minimal human intervention.  

I'm particularly interested in exploring hybrid and layered architectures. These architectures allow for real-time, reactive decisions while also incorporating higher-level reasoning and long-term planning capabilities, which will be crucial for ensuring adaptability and resilience. In smart cities, for example, AI agents could potentially manage urban infrastructure, optimize energy consumption, and dynamically respond to changes in the environment, improving both efficiency and sustainability. This opens up many intriguing possibilities for how AI agents can shape the future of automation.

6. What are your priorities for 2025?  

Every year brings new goals and opportunities, and while the details may change, my overall direction continues along the path of delivering impactful results, supporting team development, and embracing continual learning, all while maintaining a healthy balance with my personal commitments.  

Looking ahead, I remain committed to fostering innovation and adaptability in both myself and the teams I work with. By staying open to new ideas and approaches, I believe we can tackle complex challenges more effectively and create meaningful, long-lasting outcomes that benefit both the organization and the broader community.