Perfect AI not realistic, so pursue 'next best option', says President

He says avoiding all risks would put a stop to innovation, which holds potential to improve lives

- Osmond Chia

Regulators cannot realistically expect artificial intelligence (AI) to deliver only good as AI development has far outpaced public policy, but they need to go for the "next best option" and maximise the good while minimising the bad, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said on May 29.

Avoiding all risks would put a stop to AI innovation, which holds the potential to improve lives, he told an audience of tech industry players, including professionals and world leaders.

President Tharman was speaking at the opening gala of the Asia Tech x Singapore conference, an annual tech event organised by the Infocomm Media Development Authority, being held from May 29 to May 31.

The conference is expected to host about 4,000 industry players from around the world to discuss matters related to AI, quantum computing, sustainability and other pressing topics in the tech sector.

Mr Tharman's 20-minute opening speech at the Gardens by the Bay's Flower Field Hall addressed economic and social concerns over AI issues facing lawmakers and economies worldwide.

He said the pace of advancement in AI has outstripped regulation, which works towards the solutions that are "attainable".

"We cannot leave AI to the law of the jungle," he said, adding that doing so would allow the largest players in AI to dictate norms, and can lead to job losses, societal distrust and even war.