SINGAPORE: In response to recent concerns about the accountability of artificial intelligence chatbot firms in spreading misinformation, Singapore’s Ministry of Communications and Information has confirmed that current laws will apply if AI is used to cause harm.written by MCI Senior Director Andrea Phua. Ms Phua was responding to a Singaporean’s call for stronger laws to protect individuals and institutions from defamatory content generated by AI.
This unfairly burdens individuals to constantly monitor their online presence to mitigate reputational harm caused by AI chatbots, he argued. “I don’t see how it is fair to let these tech companies get away with reputational murder,” Mr Peh said.He added, “The onus shouldn’t be on people to have to google their name to ensure the tech bots haven’t maligned them.”
This framework, she explained, delineates key principles expected in the design of AI systems, emphasizing their human-centric, explainable, and transparent nature. “Harms like workplace discrimination and online falsehoods can already happen without AI. If AI is used to cause such harms, relevant laws and regulations continue to apply.”