Vanessa Wilfred, Deputy Director, AI Governance, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), Singapore

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

My team in Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) seeks to build a trusted environment for artificial intelligence (AI) – by putting in place guardrails to protect our citizens while also recognising the need for innovation.

We have some good fundamentals as work on AI governance in Singapore started even before ChatGPT was a household name. Nevertheless, AI technology is developing very rapidly. My team is constantly engaging experts in industry and academia and sector regulators to review our policies and tools to ensure that citizens feel safe and confident about AI innovation.  

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

Too many to count! This year, we laid the foundation to govern Generative AI (GenAI) domestically and secured Singapore’s seat at the table to shape norms in AI safety globally. This was accomplished by making concrete progress on multiple fronts.  

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First, on policy, we put forth a clear and comprehensive policy roadmap to build trust in AI with the launch of the Model AI Governance Framework for Generative AI.  

Second on tooling, we took steps to make AI governance measurable, because what gets measured gets managed better. AI Verify Foundation launched Project Moonshot – a tool to measure Generative AI risks using benchmarks and red teaming.  

Third on international collaboration and the sciences, we set up the Singapore AI Safety Institute together with nine other countries including the US and UK, to accelerate scientific progress in AI safety, so that it keeps pace with AI capabilities.  

Collectively, Singapore is better positioned to shape and develop AI governance policies and tools both domestically and internationally, compared to a year ago, to help the industry deploy AI responsibly.  

3. What was one unexpected learning from 2024?

Throughout 2024, there were several moments when we were presented with incredible challenges (and opportunities). On one such occasion, the team was tasked to organise the Singapore AI Safety Red Teaming Challenge involving nine other countries within three months.

At first, we were stymied, but it was also an opportunity to bring the region together for a meaningful cause of making AI models safer by taking into account our linguistic and cultural diversity.  

The team pulled it off in the end! From procurement and logistics to building a regional community and developing a methodology. Anything is possible with the kind of will and dedication they have displayed.  

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

Agentic AI. While Terminator-level AI might still take some time, AI has demonstrated some ability to complete more complex tasks that require planning on its own. This is both exciting and dangerous. It brings with it a whole slew of possibilities, as well as governance concerns, which must be addressed in tandem with its development. 

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

The key to unlocking the transformative potential of AI lies with humans, not the technology. Integrating AI into our lives meaningfully often requires a reimagination of how we do things, being willing to change the status quo and learning new skills to harness AI. Even with today’s AI, we can already transform ourselves if we adopt it meaningfully. The public sector is not new to change management. We have done it with digitalisation and will continue doing so with AI to realise its full potential. 

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6. What are your priorities for 2025?

On the work front, we will continue to charge ahead and develop relevant policies and safeguards to keep pace with AI development and build a trusted environment for AI. On a personal front, I hope to spend more quality time with my children, sharing the joy of creating things with our own hands – whether it is sewing, baking or exploring other hands-on activities together. There are certain things that AI cannot replace in our lives! 

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

Anything is possible!  

Nothing worth having comes easy. But there is a lot that can be accomplished as long as you believe in your mission and carry your team with you. 

8. Who inspires you today? 

My children inspire me. They observe us closely and ask the most difficult and unfiltered questions, which cause me to reflect and strive to be a better version of myself.