Singapore has launched a comprehensive campaign to promote artificial intelligence (AI) literacy across the civil service, while also setting clear boundaries to safeguard essential professional skills—especially in critical sectors like healthcare. This dual strategy aims to create a digitally forward public sector that remains responsibly anchored in human expertise.

Building an AI-Literate Public Service

In September 2025, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong unveiled plans to make AI literacy training mandatory for all of Singapore’s 150,000 public officers. This program is designed not only to provide foundational knowledge of AI technologies but also to cultivate responsible use and digital leadership within the government. Leaders are expected to actively model good AI adoption habits and champion innovation in their agencies. The course framework—developed in partnership with technology specialists—includes real-world use cases, covering best practices in leveraging AI for smarter, more agile policy delivery, while maintaining a robust sense of public purpose.

Safeguarding Clinical Skills in Healthcare

At the same time, the Ministry of Health (MOH) is balancing technological progress with careful stewardship of clinical expertise. While supporting the integration of AI to boost productivity and diagnostic accuracy, MOH has drawn a clear line: full reliance on automation is not allowed. Regulations require that AI tools function as aids under a qualified clinician’s supervision, preventing skills erosion among doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Ongoing training programs ensure that human judgment and core competencies remain at the heart of patient care, with regulatory sandboxes and compliance checks reinforcing these principles. AI-free periods are being planned to ensure that medical personnel do not lose their skills by being over-reliant on AI tools.

Global Comparisons and Singapore’s Distinct Approach

Singapore’s policy stands out globally for its explicit commitment to preventing over-reliance on AI in domains requiring professional judgment. While countries such as the US and the UK also advocate for clinical oversight, their frameworks focus more on innovation speed and risk management, rather than formal skills preservation. Australia, too, mandates oversight for high-risk applications without regulatory emphasis on continuous skills development.

By pairing comprehensive AI upskilling with targeted restrictions, Singapore is positioning its public sector—especially healthcare—to benefit from technological advances while ensuring expertise, safety, and ethical standards remain uncompromised.