Growing talent should be Singapore’s top priority in building AI industry: Singtel

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SINGAPORE: Singtel said a lack of talent trained in artificial intelligence ( AI ) could be one of Singapore’s most consequential bottlenecks in its digital journey.

This comes as the telco giant unveiled its new, end-to-end AI cloud venture RE: AI last Thursday ( October 10 ), which aims to make AI technologies and services more accessible and affordable for businesses.

According to the company, the service may be especially useful for local governments and sensitive industries like financial institutions that are looking to work with a local company to process data directly.

In collaboration with AI Singapore, the National University of Singapore ( NUS), and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singtel is launching an AI Acceleration Academy ( AAA ) to expand the talent pool.

The telco hopes to impart knowledge about AI to its employees so they can become more adept at it, as well as create a curriculum that other businesses can use to improve adjust to an extremely AI-driven environment.

A number of significant corporations have even made announcements to start and expand operations in the country, away from Singtel. The most recent is ChatGPT’s family company OpenAI, which intends to open its Singapore company later this year as part of its international expansion plans.

Mr Bill Chang, CEO of Singtel’s Digital InfraCo system, said AI can be a great army multiple and efficiency driver, with opportunities ahead for some enterprises.

In a wide-ranging meeting, he told CNA how Singtel stands out against companies, why Singapore is an interesting place for AI owners, and how the country you sustain the momentum to keep ahead of the AI trend.

Q. Tell us about De: AI and how it stands out among the lengthy list of buyers in Singapore’s AI area. &nbsp,

Our Be: AI cloud service aims to address the data center stage level of complexity of the infrastructure. We make it a service … from integration of software … to delivery with various types of networks … ( including ) a quantum safe networking for highly sensitive data. By combining all these, making it open and flexible, making it successful and removing the difficulty, making it simpler to use for sectors and enterprises, is Be: AI’s goal.

We are a homegrown brand, offering sovereign GPUs ( graphics processing units ) from a homegrown operator. Some clients place value on that.

Q. What makes Singapore so interesting for AI purchase?

First, Singapore is a company hub. The global business community has a lot of great faith in us, and we have a strong communications system. We’ve got very good outreach ( in ) Southeast Asia … and an ability to export very quickly. Artificial inventors around the world are very interested in the successes we’ve achieved as a gateway and that we can replicate across our companions in the region.

Singapore has the potential to draw in many more ( investors ) by developing collaboration platforms and expanding upon our attractiveness as a hub. We’ve got a very progressive government that thinks about policies with private and public sector collaborations, ( including ) agencies in science and research.

Q. How significant are public-private alliances for firms considering establishing operations in a nation?

We need to make sure that these alliances between the public and private businesses have a clear goal-driven approach to achieving these goals. To address the needs of AI entrepreneurs who want to consider about Asia and Singapore beyond their home businesses, we ( must make sure that we are extremely targeted.

I think we’re at the start of this. We’ve had some rapid successes, which is really heartening to view. However, this is only the beginning of AI, with businesses expanding and establishing operations in this area. It’s essential to maintain that momentum and expand that achievement, so that we can produce a bigger ecosystem. The ability to produce these intersections and connections will add value as more players are present.

Q. What is Singapore do to increase its appeal to Artificial investors?

I would say: Build on the skills pool. AI companies are very strong in software, and as they expand, they will have top quality people in Artificial engineering, data scientists and people who are able to convert solutions.

Many businesses are trying to use artificial intelligence, but they are having a difficult time doing so.

( For Singtel ), we aim to train our over 10, 000 employees to be AI proficient, so that they are able to capture value in this AI revolution that is ahead of us.

( There is also ) the sustainability issue. With GPUs consuming so much energy and carbon footprint, how do we do it sustainably? We must have the infrastructure in place to enable the deployment of more GPUs to support the AI drive.

Q. How can data centres stay both high-performing and sustainable?

GPUs, the heart of processing for AI outcomes, consume a lot of energy and generate a lot of heat. We need specialised environments ( such as ) liquid-cooled designs to handle that. ( Singtel ) has been investing heavily in sustainable, AI-ready data centres.

Last June, there were only about 60 megawatts ( MW) operating in Singapore. More than 400MW of data centers are currently being built in four countries in Southeast Asia, and half of that capacity will be liquid cooling capabilities.

We are also looking into, for instance, using renewable energy to power our assets in our operations and working with our customers to address some of the renewable energy needs in the upcoming years.

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Singapore authorities developing guidelines to help employers manage extreme weather risks

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” We might believe flooding, particularly in areas that are not properly prepared for these types of extremes, and we might even see some heat-related problems caused by heatwaves. Naturally this can create a range of problems overall”, said Dr Mengaldo.

He added that in Southeast Asia, including Singapore, people can expect extreme weather events to materialize three to four times more often.

” We might have disturbance in the supply chain if, for example, we have neighbouring states affected by large-scale flooding or wildfires that can offer to produce failure, water contaminants, among people”.

MORE Homes, WEARABLE SENSORS?

Dr. Mengaldo urged Singapore to build more shelters and give outside workers portable sensors to track their health in real time as a response to the rising heat wave wave rate. &nbsp,

For those who are suffering from anxiety or heat-related illnesses, these sensors might induce warnings.

Every six months, the mixed-use condominium workers at China Construction ( South Pacific ) Development’s site in Clarke Quay are trained in what to do in arid conditions.

Additionally, they are subject to normal health briefings in both their native languages and English.

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Pritam Singh’s trial opens as prosecution argues he guided Raeesah Khan to maintain lie in parliament

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RAEESAH KHAN AND PARTY Officials CHANGE.

Additionally, the prosecution relies on the WhatsApp messages and emails Ms. Khan exchanged with Singh and various group leaders to support its case.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam made a speech during a parliament session on October 4, 2021, asking Ms. Khan for more information so that her allegation that the officers were handling a sexual assault case may be looked into.

According to the trial, while the secretary was speaking, Ms Khan sent Singh a message asking for assistance, creating:” What if I would, Pritam”. Both were present in the legislature room at the time.

Singh replied to the minister’s communication after she had replied, telling her she could not provide more information because of the security but that she had once more confirmed her anecdote.

After the congress session, Singh responded to Ms. Khan’s request to speak. They had a meeting with Ms. Lim, the WP chairperson, at around 11.15 p.m. that night.

The prosecution claims that Ms. Khan was given legal advice by Singh and Ms. Lim, but they never asked her why she had lied again or how to understand the lay.

” Mr Khan, however, told them that perhaps there was another manner – to tell the truth. The prosecution’s case is that ( Singh ) told her it was too late for that”, argued Mr Ang.

The officers sent Ms. Khan an email asking to speak with her about her tale on October 7, 2021. Ms Khan forwarded this message to Singh, Ms Lim and Mr Faisal, and asked them for suggestions.

According to the trial, Ms Khan did not receive a reply from the party officials, and upward until Oct 11, 2021, none of them instructed Ms Khan to understand her stay with the officers or in congress.

At a gathering on Oct 12, 2021, Singh and Ms Lim explained to Ms Khan that the issue of the story would not go away, and she should understand the rest in parliament, according to the trial.

From then until Oct 31, 2021, she prepared some drawings of her clarificatory speech, in conversation with Singh, Ms Lim and her assistants Ms Loh and Mr Nathan.

Gathering Discipline PROCEEDINGS

The WP’s inside disciplinary procedures were included in the lawyer’s opening statement, which included details on Ms. Khan’s behavior.

On October 29, 2021, a meeting of the WP’s central executive committee ( CEC ) met to inform CEC members of the clarification Ms. Khan was going to provide.

Mr. Ang testified before the court that the CEC had not been informed that Ms. Lim and Mr. Faisal had been informed on August 8, 2021, nor that Singh and Ms. Khan had met on October 3, 2021 to explore what to do about the rest.

Mr. Low contacted Singh and suggested that the WP form a administrative board to look into the matter after Ms. Khan provided her explanation in congress on November 1, 2021, according to the attorney.

On November 2, 2021, Singh, Ms Lim, and Mr Faisal were all convened on a administrative board that met Ms. Khan and WP people.

At one such meeting, some WP people, including trial testimony Ms. Loh and Mr. Nathan, expressed concern that the board itself had to accept responsibility for” the way they had led Ms. Khan in the matter,” according to Mr. Ang.

Ms. Khan made her announcement to step down as an MP and WP part on November 30, 2021. In the end, the CEC voted to remove Ms. Khan from the group if she continued to attend the meeting.

The WP held a press event on December 2, 2021, which was the first time the COP was hearing oral testimony from witnesses like Ms. Khan and Loh.

” ( Singh ) would have known that Ms. Khan and/or Ms. Loh’s involvement in the matter would have been revealed when they testified before the COP,” said Mr. Ang.

Singh made the initial public admission at this press conference that the WP had been aware of Ms. Khan’s fabrication about a year after she first reported the sexual assault case to parliament.

The penalties Singh faces are a maximum jail term of three years, a fine of up to S$ 7, 000 ( US$ 5, 360 ), or both per charge.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers had recently said that the trial may get a good for each cost if Singh is convicted.

Anyone who is fined at least S$ 10,000 or jailed for at least a month is not eligible to run for office as an MP under the laws of the Constitution.

A sitting MP who is subject to these fines may lose their desk. The suspension is for five decades.

According to researchers, the Constitution’s browsing will determine Singh’s fate.

The maximum fine of S$ 14, 000 may preclude him as an MP and from running in the upcoming election if both fees are combined as an offense.

After admitting to her rest, Ms Khan resigned from the WP and as an MP, and was given a S$ 35, 000 good on the COP’s advice.

The test continues, with Ms Khan set to take the walk on Monday.

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Live: Day 1 of Pritam Singh’s trial for allegedly lying to parliament

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Pritam Singh, the leader of the opposition and Workers ‘ Party leader, arrived at the State Courts on Monday morning ( October 14 ) for the first day of his trial for allegedly lying to parliament.

He was accused of lying to a parliamentary committee on two matters in relation to the circumstance of Raeesah Khan seven months ago.

Singh, 48, appears to be the first Member of Parliament to face these particular charges under the Parliament ( Privileges, Immunities and Powers ) Act, experts told CNA.

The most recent news from the State Courts can be found on our life website.

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Live: Pritam Singh’s trial to begin over two charges of lying to parliamentary committee

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Pritam Singh’s trial is scheduled to begin on Monday ( October 14), seven months after he was accused of lying to a parliamentary committee over the Raeesah Khan case.

Singh, 48, appears to be the first Member of Parliament to face these particular charges under the Parliament ( Privileges, Immunities and Powers ) Act, experts told CNA.

The most recent news from the State Courts can be found on our life website.

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Ways for women: 5 tips on how to say no to your in-laws to maintain boundaries and harmony

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Although it appears simple much, it is not for everyone to do instantly. So, firstly, get a thorough understanding of your own principles; determine what matters to you and what your non-negotiables are. &nbsp,

This includes places like as use of speech or certain words, instilling positive attitudes in the kids, maintaining a healthy diet and an active life, or reducing discrimination. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Once listed, examine them with your family until you both agree. Finally, speak to your in-laws – you may need a sit-down conference with them, as well as be armed with examples of the restrictions.

For example, if your in-laws tend to use bad language with your kids (” So ridiculous”! ), you may propose they say,” This find a better way”, instead.

You can also request them if they’re happy to let you know their limitations and if you’ve unintentionally ingested them.

Dan Ng, a registered advisor with Singapore Association for Counselling, said:” Preferably, it is good to set a limit early in the marriage. It might be challenging to define or evidently draw a line depending on the circumstance. It boils down to ethnic and price differences, and having a common understanding of each other’s beliefs”.

There are no appropriate responses. Restrictions vary for various people. For instance, some in-laws expect to see their kids ( and children ) every time, while others feel that once a month or weekend is good, to provide more time for different activities.

Do n’t forget to share your boundaries with empathy, considering that your in-laws may not have had experience with the “younger generation” telling them no.

2. COMMUNICATE QUICKLY, BUT WITH RESPECT

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Small businesses, big challenges: The reality of China’s post-US Fed cut economy

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Additionally, analysts told CNA that the effect on small businesses would probably be generally direct and minimum. According to Mr. Bell,” I do n’t think Fed cuts will have much impact on Chinese consumers,” adding that” small businesses with a domestic focus are less impacted,” while citing low domestic confidence as a limiting factor. &nbsp,

” Frequently, small businesses and individuals are shielded from immediate effect by broader plan adjustments”, said American economic columnist Mr Daryl Guppy, even the CEO and founder of Guppytraders.com.

He noted that US economic policy may have a far greater impact on Chinese usage habits than US tariffs and punishment. &nbsp,

The main effect may be price changes for imported American items.

Next THE FED?

China’s central bank has implemented a number of smaller cuts, including a policy interest rate reduction of 0.2 % and a reduction of banks ‘ reserve requirements by half a percentage point, despite the Fed’s aggressive stance in cutting rates. &nbsp,

However, Mr. Guppy made it clear that the PBOC’s actions did not directly affect the US’s subsequent actions. &nbsp,

According to Mr. Guppy,” PBOC policy decisions are not made in a knee-jerk effect to US policy.” Lower rates often lead to a higher consumer and business confidence because they lower the cost of loans and paying off debt.

Experts believe Beijing’s factual response to the US Fed price cuts could also provide some much-needed information into its possible future actions.

According to Mr Bell, China generally “has had a very distinct economic policy platform than the Fed’s interest-rate focused strategy”.

” For much of the early 2000s, China pursued a dollar nail, and after that, a much more quantity-driven model focused on the quantity of credit rather than their cost”, Mr Bell told CNA. &nbsp,

He also explained that China was “more insulated”, because of its relatively” closed” investment account, at least until 2015, which helped it experience fewer spillovers from international financial situations. Companies and individuals are prohibited from moving money into and out of the country under strict regulations in a sealed capital account.

China focused on a lot of fiscal and credit stimulus when extreme crises struck and threatened to spread through the trade channel.

Some believe that Chinese politicians should concentrate on resolving these internal problems, such as revitalizing the faltering business, which may call for a more subtle approach this time around.

” China’s emotions are tempered by the demands of the local economy and policy information”, he said. ” US Fed rates movements are a factor that may make it easier, or more difficult, ( for China ) to continue with an appropriate domestic policy”, said Mr Guppy.

Although Mr. Bell believes that China” should not be in a location where Fed moves matter little,” he also acknowledges that “any global circumstances,” including Fed rate policy, had have” a more important impact on the Foreign economy.”

” But that is not a given, many more a representation of lacking plan activities in Beijing”, Mr Bell added. &nbsp,

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Competing in a global tournament from behind bars: How chess is changing mindsets in a Singapore prison

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Eight representatives from Singapore receive instructions from grandmaster Kevin Goh minutes before their first international chess tournament on Tuesday ( October 8 ).

” Do n’t tense up”, he says, while walking them through the competition format.

One of the party leaves immediately to use the restroom, another does some stretching.

In front of the eight are their own devices, which they will use to compete against regional rivals from all over the place.

But this is no common games competition.

The devices have locked keys, the companies are supervised strongly by soldiers, and they are vying from Changi Prison.

The Intercontinental Online Chess Championship for Prisoners ( IOCCP ) is about to break out.

AN” INSATIABLE HUNGER”

Last year, the Singapore Prison Service ( SPS), in collaboration with the Singapore Chess Federation, introduced a chess programme for inmates within Changi Prison’s B1 institution, as part of the Chess for Freedom ( CFF ) initiative.

The goal was to use games to promote inmate rehab and stop recidivism.

Integral to CFF’s commencement was Mr Goh, who’s one of just six games overpowers in Singapore. This headline is the highest one a game player you hold.

” Ever since I joined the Singapore Chess Federation, ( I had been thinking ) about how we can improve the awareness of the game and all its healthy benefits”, he told CNA.

We had a couple important ideas in mind, and one of the ideas that came up was this specific program.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim praised the initiative, saying,” It’s fine to give our residents other hobbies or even interests so they can get up and then concentrate on something they eventually grow to including.”

The program was run by 34 prisoners in August of last year. To date, a total of 58 have participated in CFF.

” When people heard that the chess ( grand ) master was coming to teach them how to play chess, they got very interested”, recalled&nbsp, Rehabilitation Officer ( RO ) Lim Wee Siong, who heads the CFF.

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CNA Explains: How Singapore deals with online harms like image-based sexual abuse

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How worrying is the circumstance?

An average of 340 cases were reported to the officers each year between 2021 and 2023, according to Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam in a composed political comment in August. These included the ownership or distribution of sensual, close, or harsh images.

He continued,” The police do n’t use generative artificial intelligence tools to track the number of cases involving deepfakes or manipulated images or videos.”

However, pornography circumstances in Singapore increased by about 12 % in the first quarter of 2024. Typically, these offenses involve recording or observing people without their consent in a private action.

When it comes to IBSA, it’s not just about numbers, according to Dr. Chew, who conducts cultural research with an emphasis on tech implementation.

“Cybercrimes quite as frauds are more numerous and it affects more Singaporeans”, he said. ” But that does n’t mean that we should not be concerned about ( IBSA ), because when we look at the victims, when we look at the experiences of the survivors, it is definitely more intense than losing S$ 1, 000 to a scammer” .&nbsp,

They “have suicidal thoughts or self-harm,” according to Dr. Chew, “because they worry about their own health when they must connect online or transact.”

Michelle, now 21, said that while she knew she was not at fault for a photo that was n’t even real to begin with, she also felt like she was guilty for” not dressing modestly” or even wearing a tank top. &nbsp,

She had to convince herself that the person who edited the pictures or photographs is ultimately to blame. ” I’m not confident… were there any other copies of it?” Maybe there’s a copy of me being entirely dressed, who knows”?

Post-traumatic stress disorder patient sought medical care, and it took about two times before she made an announcement about the incident.

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No more ‘wasted’ Fridays and Sundays: Johoreans hail new weekend schedule as win-win for families and businesses

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Problems OVER FACILITATING FRIDAY PRAYERS&nbsp,

Some parts of Johor nation, however, have urged the government to retain the existing plan. &nbsp,

In a Facebook post, Pasir Gudang Hassan Abdul Karim, a part of the Parliament, claimed that Friday is a “holy time” in Islam that the Arab community is very fond of. In the southern Johor area is Pasir Gudang.

The recent Friday-Saturday weekends, he said, has cultural and historical significance and the looming change” seems to reject Johor’s understanding of its own culture and political background”. &nbsp,

” Johor was part of the Unfederated Malay States … and in these states, the weekend rest days are on Fridays and Saturdays”, said the politician, who is part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s party, the Parti Keadilan Rakyat ( PKR ). &nbsp,

The five unfederated Asian state were Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu. These states were granted this status before independence because they were independent, American guarded states with distinct organizations from the rest of the nation. &nbsp,

Now, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu observe Friday and Saturday as standard trip relaxation time.

Mr Hassan said that for most of Johor’s past, weekends have been observed on Friday-Saturday. When former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin became the state’s main minister in 1994, the state just switched its vacation to Saturday and Sunday. &nbsp,

Then in 2014, the express shifted to a Friday-Saturday weekends to help Muslims to accomplish their prayer, as decreed by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar. In Islam, Friday prayers are required for Muslim people. &nbsp,

In his Oct. 7 announcement, Johor regent Tunku Ismail stated that he has assigned Johor’s emir Yahya Ahmad and deputy secretary Onn Hafiz Ghazi to “discuss and examine every angle and aspect of this matter.”

He continued,” I hope that the government, the private sector, and related parties give Muslim workers enough time and space to practice their Friday prayers accordingly.”

The governor said in a new statement on Thursday night ( October 10 ), that the decision to move the weekend was taken into account by Johoreans ‘ desire to spend more time with their families as well as the state’s economy.

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