MDDI's Response to PQ on Impact Assessment of Investments into AI Manpower and Capability Development from 2022 to Date

Question for Written Answer

15. Ms He Ting Ru asked the Minister for Digital Development and Information in relation to the commitments announced at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) 2022 on AI manpower and capability development, including the additional US$50 million investment (a) whether the Government assesses that these initiatives have met their stated objectives to date; and (b) on what basis was this assessment made.

Answer

The additional US$50 million investment for AI manpower and capability development supported the expansion of the AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP) and a new Singapore National Research Foundation (NRF) Fellowship for AI.

Since 2018, the AIAP has developed over 400 skilled AI practitioners, through practical training based on projects commissioned by industry partners and AI Singapore (AISG). To ensure quality completion of the project, apprentices are supervised by full-time AI engineers from AISG. On completion of their apprenticeships, participants decide whether to continue with the organisations where they received training or elsewhere. Over 85% of AIAP graduates took up AI engineering-related roles across the economy. The remaining 15% joined AISG to support the national and industry projects that AISG undertakes, and to help scale up the AIAP programme.

Four NRF Fellowships for AI have been awarded, to attract and anchor outstanding early-career AI researchers to conduct independent research in Singapore. The awarded Fellows are in the early stages of their research, and NRF will engage them closely to track their progress.