Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong called for a rethink of legal responsibility and accountability in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) during a May 13 speech at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum [1, 2]. He said Singapore’s current legal frameworks were not designed for a world where AI systems can make consequential decisions, raising complex questions about who should bear liability when AI causes harm [1, 2].

Wong pointed to issues such as AI-enabled deepfakes, sophisticated scams, and misinformation campaigns, which have advanced faster than existing laws can adapt [1, 2]. He said, “These are not hypothetical risks. They are already here” [1]. Examples of harm include wrong medical diagnoses made by AI and fatal accidents involving self-driving cars, all of which challenge traditional legal concepts of responsibility [1, 2].

The prime minister emphasized the need to balance innovation with safety, stating, “We must strike the right balance – between safety and progress, between control and creativity” [2]. He warned that laws must evolve quickly but should not stifle technological development [1, 2].

Despite the increasing use of AI tools to assist with analysis and recommendations, Wong said ultimate responsibility, fairness, and justice must remain human decisions. He stated, “Machines can assist, analyse and recommend. But questions of responsibility, fairness and justice cannot be delegated entirely to algorithms. These are human questions, which humans must decide – and that must always remain so” [2].

Singapore’s legal system aims to ensure societal stability, fairness, and pragmatic outcomes [1]. Wong also highlighted the importance of public trust and access to justice. The country instituted the Public Defender’s Office in 2022, providing state-funded legal aid for non-capital criminal charges to improve access to defense for everyday Singaporeans [1, 2]. “A system only works if everyday Singaporeans can use it to find justice and enforce their rights,” he said [2].

The government’s challenge will be to update laws to address AI’s rapid advances while maintaining fairness and protecting citizens. The prime minister’s speech marks a call for ongoing review and reform of Singapore’s legal frameworks to keep pace with emerging technologies [1, 2].