The National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program in Finance was launched today at the Singapore FinTech Festival x Singapore Week of Innovation and TeChnology (SFF x SWITCH) 2021 by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister. The Program is a joint initiative by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the National AI Office (NAIO) at the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO). It aims to build deep AI capabilities within Singapore's financial sector to strengthen customer service, risk management, and business competitiveness.

The Program is part of Singapore's broader National AI Strategy* and seeks to enhance the ability of financial institutions (FIs) to research, develop and deploy AI solutions. Its objectives are to:

• increase productivity through the adoption of AI;
• create new jobs through increased AI innovation activities and upskilling in AI-
• related competencies; and                        
• improve social acceptance of AI through sound AI governance                  

* Launched in 2019, the National AI Strategy aims to establish Singapore as a leader in developing and deploying scalable, impactful AI solutions, in key sectors of high value and relevance to our citizens and businesses by 2030. National AI Projects were renamed National AI Programmes.  to better reflect the scope of work under the initiative.

Under this Program, MAS and SNDGO will provide funding, contribute government data, and convene the necessary expert stakeholders to drive AI adoption in the financial sector. The Program currently comprises various initiatives.

Mr Ravi Menon, Managing Director, MAS, said, “The National AI Program in Finance will help enhance our financial sector's AI capabilities. Key to this Program is active collaboration – across financial institutions and relevant government agencies – to build platforms, solutions, and capabilities that serve the financial sector as a whole.”

Mr Ng Chee Khern, Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation and Digital Government), said, “One of the aims of our National AI Strategy is to increase our productivity and create good jobs. The National AI Program in Finance will create good jobs for citizens and commercial opportunities for businesses. ”

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About Monetary Authority of Singapore
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is Singapore's central bank and integrated financial regulator. As a central bank, MAS promotes sustained, non-inflationary economic growth through the conduct of monetary policy and close macroeconomic surveillance and analysis. It manages Singapore's exchange rate, official foreign reserves, and liquidity in the banking sector. As an integrated financial supervisor, MAS fosters a sound financial services sector through its prudential oversight of all financial institutions in Singapore – banks, insurers, capital market intermediaries, financial advisors and financial market infrastructures. It is also responsible for well-functioning financial markets, sound conduct, and investor education. MAS also works with the financial industry to promote Singapore as a dynamic international financial centre. It facilitates the development of infrastructures, adoption of technology, and upgrading of skills in the financial industry.