Singapore is contemplating regulations on deepfake content, including a potential temporary ban, to mitigate the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) misinformation as the nation approaches its elections. This consideration comes in light of global trends in combating deepfakes, as highlighted by Minister for Digital Development and Information, Josephine Teo, during the Reuters NEXT conference on July 9, 2024.

Teo referenced South Korea’s recent implementation of a 90-day ban on political AI-generated content prior to its elections in April. Under South Korean law, violations can lead to penalties including up to seven years in prison or fines reaching 50 million won (approximately S$49,000). However, Teo noted the challenges of applying a similar framework in Singapore, where election periods are significantly shorter and often announced on short notice.

While Singapore’s elections are scheduled to occur no later than November 2025, the exact dates remain uncertain. The nation has faced issues with AI-generated misinformation in the past, including incidents where AI was used to distort political messages and impersonate public figures, highlighting the pressing need for effective regulations.

During her discussion, Teo acknowledged the increasing prevalence of deepfakes targeting politicians in Singapore, including recent instances involving AI-generated videos of Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. She emphasized the importance of updating regulations to close loopholes that could allow AI-generated falsehoods to proliferate during elections.

Singapore currently employs several laws to combat online misinformation, notably the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (Pofma), which empowers authorities to mandate corrections or halts on the dissemination of false information, regardless of how it was created.

In addition to addressing misinformation, Teo outlined Singapore’s ambitions to become a leading global player in AI, stressing the need for talent and robust frameworks to ensure access to data and computational infrastructure. She highlighted the country’s dense data center capacity as a foundational element in supporting AI development, with plans to expand capacity by more than one-third of the existing 1.4 gigawatts.

As AI technology continues to evolve and integrate into various sectors, Singapore aims to enhance its capabilities to manage increased demand and ensure a responsible approach to AI deployment in its political landscape.