UK’s Lammy Praises Singapore’s Long-Term Tech Vision, Calls for AI-Diplomacy Collaboration
Singapore’s strategic foresight, not its size, has consistently driven its success – a lesson the United Kingdom is eager to learn, according to British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. Speaking at the Fullerton Hotel on July 12 during a visit focused on “Diplomacy in the Digital Age,” Lammy lauded Singapore’s proactive approach to technology and its potential to reshape global power dynamics.
A History of Digital Leadership
Lammy highlighted Singapore’s early embrace of digital innovation, citing the establishment of the National Computerisation Committee in 1981 as a pivotal moment. This commitment continued with the launch of the Smart Nation initiative in 2014 and the National AI Strategy in 2019. “Each time, your leaders were ahead of the game,” Lammy stated, emphasizing that Singapore’s success wasn’t simply a matter of financial investment. Instead, the nation prioritized building robust public capabilities through deep technical expertise and investment in critical infrastructure like the Singpass digital identity system.
The Imperative of AI in Diplomacy
The British Foreign Secretary argued that a forward-looking global vision must prioritize the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and diplomacy. He acknowledged that this intersection is not yet a standard topic of discussion among foreign ministers, but warned that failing to address the long-term implications of AI would be a critical oversight. “Unless we lift our heads above the rat race of crises and summits and examine the longer-term trends reshaping our world, we will be boiled like the proverbial frog,” he asserted.
A Paradigm Shift in Power
Lammy posited that AI represents more than just the next technological advancement; it will fundamentally alter the distribution and exercise of power on the world stage. “It will redefine how nations project influence, how threats emerge and how we defend ourselves. It will, therefore, transform how diplomacy is conducted,” he explained. However, he cautioned that AI is not a panacea, emphasizing the continued importance of human judgment and relationship-building based on trust.
Machine Speed with a Human Touch
Looking ahead to 2025, Lammy believes effective diplomacy will require a blend of “machine speed and a human touch.” He pointed to projects like the Darpa and Kairos initiatives in the US – which simulate complex political scenarios and anticipate conflict – and Singapore’s own use of predictive analytics within its Ministry of Trade and Industry to identify supply chain risks as examples of this emerging trend. A visual representation of the predictive analytics used by Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry would be beneficial here.
Collaboration is Key
Recognizing that few nations outside of the US and China possess the independent capacity to fully leverage AI’s potential, Lammy stressed the need for increased international collaboration, specifically advocating for “AI diplomacy within a perimeter of values.” He expressed a desire for partnerships between Britain and Singapore, focused on aligning standards, sharing tools, and developing AI models that reflect shared principles. He also highlighted existing partnerships with the US, the European Union, and India.
Strengthening UK-Singapore Ties
Lammy’s visit, the first as Foreign Secretary, “reaffirms the substantive and longstanding relationship” between the UK and Singapore, according to a statement from the Singaporean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). During his one-day visit, he met with Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan, and Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, who also chairs the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Discussions covered a range of topics, including trade, investment, defense, security, and science and technology.
Notably, DPM Gan welcomed the UK’s £70 million (S$121 million) investment in Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) initiative, aimed at bolstering green and transition financing in the region. Dr. Balakrishnan also welcomed the UK’s intention to increase engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Lammy concluded by reiterating Singapore’s demonstrated power of long-term thinking and the importance of a clear vision, hoping this approach can bridge the gap between foreign policy and technology. “We live in a volatile world. Technology is reshaping our societies, making power more diffuse,” he said. “Nations like Britain and Singapore need to equip ourselves with the tools to navigate these shifts and that means fusing AI and diplomacy, focusing on a long view of change and doubling down on our shared interests.”
