DOES AI THREATEN YOUR JOB? - The Straits Times
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Storm clouds in 2019
Rohingya refugees
Shenzhen beckons
MCI(P) 056/08/2018 January - February 2019
INDEPENDENT • INSIDER • INSIGHTS ON ASIA
DOES AI
THREATEN
YOUR JOB?
Artificial intelligence (AI)
opens new pathways to progress
but can affect livelihoods.
Where are we headed?
AI expert Kai-Fu Lee gives
his answers inside.
Data Digest
WE BRING YOU SINGAPORE Living in a virtual world
AND THE WORLD The start of the year marked an important
milestone. The International Telecommunications
Union (ITU), the United Nations specialised
per cent, now lives within reach of a mobile
cellular network. And, 90 per cent of the global
population can access the Internet through
agency for information and communication a 3G or higher speed network. All this means
technologies estimates that 51.2 per cent of that as the world sprints towards bringing
the global population or 3.9 billion people are virtually all things online – to be captured,
now using the Internet. Mobile access to basic analysed and actioned in an instant – there is
telecommunication services is becoming ever a growing need to ensure that we are working
more predominant while broadband access towards a digital future that will benefit all,
continues to demonstrate sustained growth. with the need of the hour to redouble efforts
Nearly the entire world population, or 96 to ensure access for the remaining 50 per cent.
Half the world’s online
Percentage of population using the Internet* Fixed and mobile broadband subscriptions*
Penetration rate Number of active
mobile-broadband
UP TO DATE IN THE KNOW
Developed
countries 69.3 subscriptions subscriptions
News | Live blog | Mobile pushes Web specials | Newsletters | Microsites
80.9% per 100 inhabitants
5.3 billion
Overall
WhatsApp | SMS Special Features
51.3% Households with Internet access*
Developing Number of households with
countries Internet access
45.3% 60%
60%
Opportunities will explode, so will challenges
At the same time, one
There has been significant
Companies would have spent progress. But as we think
billion people have no
US$1.2 trillion (S$1.65 trillion) about leveraging the
formal identity, excluding
on digital transformation
efforts in 2018
them from basic services opportunities of the digital
and participation in society economy, let’s remember
all those who are not yet
By 2020, the average By 2022, Identity verification connected. Let’s use
Internet user will have as a service will grow to a digitalisation as a powerful
US$16 billion–US$20 billion
over 200 online accounts
market. enabler of inclusive
economic growth.
IN THE LOOP ON THE WATCH
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Videos | FB live | Live streams
By 2022, 60% of By 2022, 50% of security
global GDP will be alerts will be handled by HOULIN ZHAO
digitised AI automation Secretary-General of the International
Telecommunication Union.
NOTE: *Data as estimated Source: Article by Houlin Zhao, Secretary General, International Telecommunication Union and World
at the end of 2018 Economic Forum Insight Report titled Our Shared Digital Future. STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS
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Executive Editor,
The Straits Times 33 26 contents
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Managing Editor, EMTM Lunch with Sumiko Special Report
Tan Ooi Boon
Heng Swee Keat’s steely resolve Rohingya refugees:
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Head, Digital Strategy, EMTM
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Vice-President
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Jeremy Au Yong
Foreign Editor
Shefali Rekhi
Asia News Network Editor,
The Straits Times &
Editor, ST Asia Report
DESIGN
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Art Editor, The Straits Times
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Cover photo illustration
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COPY DESK
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CIRCULATION
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Senior Manager (Circulation)
4 Cover Story
Does Artificial Intelligence
threaten your job? 12 By Invitation
How to balance the benefits of
Big Dat a with our privacy 36 Singapore Watch
Singapore’s 4G leaders step up
44 Science
Bright side of landing on
dark side of Moon?
Loving the job – but loving life
14 38 48
and family even more
REACH OUT TO US: Thinking Aloud Asia Focus askSTart
For advertising enquiries:
Sharon Lim Ling A law for robots in the works Seat-belt warning as storm Shenzhen, city of opportunities The future of transportation
Senior Manager clouds loom in 2019
(Business Development)
limls@sph.com.sg
18 Asia Update
42 Defence & Security
50 Lifestyle
Circulation & subscription:
Delia Gan
Executive Many view Priyanka’s entry Japan moves to beef up its Tech Trends 2019
deliagan@sph.com.sg as boost for Congress party defence capabilities
WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK
20 52
AND VIEWS
Letters can be sent to Trade Watch Big Picture
stasiareport@sph.com.sg US-China tariff ceasefire doesn’t A place ruled by women
Published by
mean end of trade war
The Straits Times, Singapore
Press Holdings (SPH)
Printed by
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All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be
31 Speaking of Asia
Mission: Impossible –
Fallout and the Indo-Pacific
reproduced in whole or
in part without written
permission from the publisher.
2 3
Cover Story
of debate around the future of jobs with the rapid His company is an investor in five Chinese
development of AI, and related technological unicorns worth more than US$1 billion while he
‘AI will displace
advances. himself is followed by more than 50 million people
The World Economic Forum, in its Future of Jobs on social media, given his vast experience in the ST ILLUSTRATION: ADAM LEE
2018, notes that although 75 million jobs could be world of AI.
displaced by the coming shift in labour, there will Born in Taiwan, he emigrated to the United States
routine jobs, but
be 133 million new jobs created as well. And while with his family when he was 11. His passion for AI
certain jobs are becoming redundant, human skills led him to develop the first speaker-independent
remain in demand in other areas. speech recognition system known as Sphinx and
There are two reasons to be optimistic about the earned him his doctorate from the Carnegie Mellon Even more,
impact of jobs on AI, writes John Hawksworth, chief University. the biggest
create new ones too’
economist, PwC, in an online article titled AI And Soon, he was working with leading tech giants, challenge to the
Robots Could Create As Many Jobs As They Displace. among them Apple, Microsoft and eventually Google.
“Firstly, just because a job has the technical He led Google’s foray into China, becoming Google human race will
potential to be automated does not mean this will China’s president until 2009, when he resigned to not be the loss
definitely happen. There is a variety of economic, set up Sinovation and become an investor. of jobs but the
CREATIVITY HAS ITS CHARM. “The AI revolution will become the most important political, regulatory and organisational factors that The author of 10 US patents and seven books loss of meaning.
The magic of new creations can be intoxicating technology revolution for humanity,” he told The could block or at least significantly delay automation. released his latest book AI Superpowers – China,
SHEFALI REKHI for those interested, goading them into pursuing Straits Times during a visit to Singapore recently. “Secondly, and more importantly, AI and related Silicon Valley And The New World Order last year,
The work ethic
Asia News its possibilities endlessly even if the end goals are “This omni-use technology will disrupt all technologies will also boost economic growth and in which he discusses the future of AI, China’s born out of
Network Editor not entirely clear and disruption of conventional industries and create a net increment to our global so create many additional job opportunities, just as increasing role in this phenomenon and the lives the Industrial
ways seems a certainty. GDP of between US$13 trillion and US$16 trillion other past waves of technological innovation have that the advance of this phenomenon will encourage Revolution has
One such smitten individual is China’s leading (between S$17.7 trillion and US$21.8 trillion) ,” done, from steam engines to computers,” he notes. people to lead.
artificial intelligence (AI) expert Kai-Fu Lee, 57, who he said. Still, there is agreement that there will be several AI that crunches data to target and deliver better
brainwashed
has already spent 38 years working on AI and wants to “For creatives, professionals and leaders, AI will types of workers who will be displaced. – which professional services firm Pricewaterhouse- too many of us
do nothing more than letting its full potential unfold. be a great tool that will enhance their work and “This presents a serious worry, as displaced Coopers (PwC) refers to as a form of “smart auto- to believe that
He got lured into this field quite by accident – amplify their capabilities,” he said in reply to a routine workers are generally the lowest paid mation” – is a game and a game changer, according work defines
when he was still in school, he wrote a program to question on AI’s impact on jobs. and least skilled in any society,” Dr Lee said while to Dr Lee.
delivering an address at a conference in Singapore. “Data is the core. Once computing power and
the meaning of
shefali@sph.com.sg print prime numbers. When he returned to check “For people in routine jobs, they need to be aware
on the program, he found that it had continued that AI will likely take their jobs or most tasks “This job displacement will not wait for another engineering talent reach a certain threshold, the our lives.
running over the weekend, leaving the room full of within their job, and (they should) start their own few decades. It is coming to us within five to 15 years.” quantity of data becomes decisive in determining
paper. Needless to say, he was severely reprimanded retraining process so they can remain competitive Dr Lee, who is chairman and CEO of Sinovation the overall power and accuracy of the algorithm,”
by his teachers. and not be displaced by AI.” Ventures, a leading tech-savvy investment firm he writes in his latest book.
Dr Lee has been mesmerised by AI ever since, There are others who agree that the advance of seeking to encourage the growth of next generation “Harnessing the power of AI today – the ‘electric-
even though he agonises over the disruption it will robotics and AI will not mean fewer jobs for people, high-tech companies, has several achievements to ity’ of the 21st century – requires four analogous
cause by taking jobs away from people. a theme that has been moving to the centrestage his credit. inputs: abundant data, hungry entrepreneurs, AI
4 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 5
“The rise of AI will challenge these values and “Singapore is doing a good job on AI
threatens to undercut that sense of life-purpose education, and connecting AI with local
The battles (in AI and jobs in a vanishingly short window of time,” he says. industries. But it should also recognise
AI) are life or And the world is still in the early stages of that, in AI, quantities of data make a
death and your Artificial intelligence applications thrive when compassion or creativity is witnessing the impact of AI. big difference, so the country should
not the need. Take a look: “The complete AI revolution will take a little strengthen either its Asean connections
opponents have and leadership or its China connections.
time and ultimately wash over us in a series of four
no scruples. waves: Internet AI, business AI, perception AI and Also, Singapore still doesn’t have
The only way Compassion needed autonomous AI. a strong early-stage venture-capital
to survive “Each of these waves harnesses AI’s power in industry, while it is very strong in late-
this battle is a different way, disrupting different sectors and stage and public markets/financial
• Wedding Planner weaving AI deeper into the fabric of our daily lives,” markets, that is not the same as early-
to constantly • Elderly Caretaker Dr Lee notes. stage. Early-stage venture capital and
improve • Beauty Consultant HUMAN In coming years, efforts will be on ways to the ability to help entrepreneurs is very
one’s product AI • Elderly Companion • Concierge apply AI to enhance human creativity, especially critical, as seen in China’s success.”
• Hotline Volunteer
PR/Marketing • Social Worker in scientific exploration that requires data analysis,
but also to Analysis
Director - AI expert Kai-Fu Lee
• Teacher pattern recognition, anomaly detection and search.
innovate on Human +AI
Alongside, the world will also witness a greater
your business Warmth • Tour Guide human-AI symbiosis.
model and • Home-school Teacher For example, in medicine, in the next 30
“There are many changes happening, faster than
build a “moat” • Remote Tutor years, AI will become increasingly more accurate
ever.
“AI will create many jobs, but we don’t yet know
in diagnosis and prescribing treatment for the
around your patient, Dr Lee said. But he added that, even if
what they are (just like at the onset of the Internet, Love is what
company. If Optimisation Creativity or Strategy we had no idea about the Web designer jobs, data
an AI diagnostic tool is 10 times more accurate
scientist jobs, digital marketing jobs or Uber driver
differentiates
one’s only edge Repetitive Optimizing than a doctor, patients will not want a cold
jobs),” he said. us from AI.
is a single novel • Tele-sales • Radiologist pronouncement from the tool.
“So the best things we can do to get ready are: be Despite what
• Dishwasher And consequently, humanistic service jobs will
idea, that idea • Reporter blossom, he said.
curious, learn new things, know what your strengths science-fiction
will invariably • Customer Support • Research Analyst In all of this, Dr Lee regards the ability to learn
are, and recognise that routine jobs will not last.”
movies may
be copied, your AI Routine
AI Human to be the most important. The writer is Editor, ST Asia Report portray, I
Tool Creativity Complex Creative
key employees • Truck Driver can tell you
will be poached, • CEO • Columnist
• Courier responsibly that
and you’ll be • M&A Expert • Scientist The jobs landscape AI programs
• Security Guards • Economist • Artist
driven out of cannot love.
business by Here’s a look at the impact on jobs by 2022
AlphaGo may
venture-capital Compassion not needed
beat the world
subsidised Source: SINOVATION VENTURES STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS champion in
competitors. Emerging roles Declining roles the game of
scientists and an AI-friendly policy environment. and down the ladder – among them, accountants, 133 could impact 75 could impact
Go, but the AI
“By looking at the relative strengths of China assembly line workers, warehouse operators, stock million 133 million people million 75 million people
and the United States in these four categories, we analysts, quality control inspectors, truckers, program felt no
can predict the emerging balance of power in the paralegals and even radiologists. happiness from
AI world order.”
And the ongoing transitions in this area mean
• Rising in tandem with unemployment will be Top 10 emerging roles Top 10 declining roles
winning, and
astronomical wealth in the hands of new AI tycoons. had no desire to
that the playing field is now tilted towards China.
“China’s alternate digital universe now creates • Inequality will not be contained within borders. 1. Data Analysts and Scientists 1. Data Entry Clerks hug a loved one
and captures oceans of new data about the real • AI-driven automation will undercut the one eco- 2. Al and Machine-Learning Specialists 2. Accounting, Bookkeeping and Payroll Clerks after it won.
world. The wealth of information on users will prove nomic advantage developing countries historically 3. General and Operations Managers 3. Administrative and Executive Secretaries
invaluable in the era of AI implementation,” he says. possessed: cheap labour. 4. Software and Applications Developers and 4. Assembly and Factory Workers
Some of the other changes that Dr Lee
• Tumult in job markets and turmoil across societies Analysts
5. Client Information and Customer-Service
will occur against the backdrop of a far more 5. Sales and Marketing Professionals
foresees are: personal and human crisis – a psychological loss
Workers
6. Big Data Specialists
• The ongoing match between China and the US of one’s purpose.
7. Digital Transformation Specialists
6. Business Services and Administration Managers
will lead to productivity gains not seen since the 7. Accountants and Auditors
“For centuries, human beings have filled their
Industrial Revolution. 8. New Technology Specialists 8. Materials-Recording and Stock-Keeping Clerks
days by working: trading their time and sweat for
“PwC estimates AI deployment will add US$15.7 shelter and food,” he writes in his book. 9. Organisational Development Specialists 9. General and Operations Managers
trillion to global GDP by 2030. China is predicted to “We’ve built deeply entrenched cultural values 10. Information Technology Services 10. Postal Service Clerks
take home US$7 trillion of that total, nearly double around this exchange and many of us have been
North America’s US$3.7 trillion in gains,” he says. conditioned to derive our sense of self-worth from Source: FUTURE OF JOBS REPORT 2018, WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS
• AI will completely wipe out billions of jobs up the act of daily work.
6 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 7
Nations will spar over AI Pressure for responsible AI won’t
China and North America will see biggest Al gains by 2030 7 Excellence in AI is expected to deliver
huge economic gains, so many
8 be on tech companies alone
AI will have great swathes of personal
26.1% China governments want to make sure that their data at its disposal, which it could use to form
detailed conclusions about individuals. There is,
countries get a big piece of the pie. Canada,
14.5% North America Japan, Britain, Germany and the United Arab however, a global consensus forming around the
responsible use of AI. Without formal compliance
Emirates all have national AI plans.
US$ 15.7 11.5% Southern Europe There are hopes that in the United States a
series of tax-reform and deregulation initiatives
regulations, organisations will have to self-
regulate, but they will do so as much out of self-
trillion 10.4% Developed Asia will give the US AI sector a boost. However, China interest as a desire to be good corporate citizens.
currently stands head and shoulders above the Source: PwC, World Economic Forum
Potential GDP gain 9.9% Northern Europe rest for prioritising the role of AI in its economic
future.
5.6% Africa, Oceania &
other Asian markets
5.4% Latin America
Source: PWC GLOBAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STUDY, 2017 STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS
Loving the job
8 predictions for the
near future of AI
Here are 8 insights to shape business strategy around
– but loving
life and family
AI, based on a report by professional services firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).
even more
AI will impact employers before it Functional specialists, not techies,
1 impacts employment
This will be apparent in the near term.
4 will decide the AI talent race
While the creation of AI engines and
The challenge for organisations hoping to algorithms will always be important, for it to truly
embrace AI will be that it works best when it deliver business value it will need to be directed
brings together data and teams from different by domain experts who know what success looks
disciplines. But most businesses have both people like.
and data in discrete silos, not available for agile
collaboration. Cyber attacks will be more
AI will come down to earth – and
5 powerful because of AI – but so will
cyber defence
2 get to work
AI will enter furtively and be gradually
The arms race in cyber security is getting more
intense. Hackers have more sophisticated tools
woven into existing applications and than ever, and AI will only add to their armoury.
processes. It will remove a lot of time-consuming, Whether it is malware, ransomware, machine
repetitive work from people’s jobs, allowing for intelligence coordinating global cyber attacks SITTING AMID SEVERAL DELEGATES ATTENDING his words.
better decision-making and smarter working. or advanced data analytics that can customise a conference in Singapore a short while ago, Kai My childhood dream was to become a scientist or
attacks,the only hope organisations have of Fu-Lee catches me struggling to reach him. astronaut, because I was always curious and asked
AI will answer the big question containing these attacks will be to fight AI with AI. Soon, he is within earshot and I share my a lot of questions.
about data
3 AI’s ability to cut through a lot of the Opening AI’s black box will become
disappointment over his decision to cancel an
interview with The Straits Times.
When, as a sophomore in college, I saw artificial
intelligence (AI), I decided this was the field for
drudge work or background noise that
afflicts IT projects, such as cleaning up data or
6 a priority
AI is not the Frankenstein technology it is
He’s been saving his voice for a speech he’s due
to deliver and can’t talk much, due to an infection,
me, because it inquired into the human mind and
aimed to solved the “final” question for humanity.
conducting asset audits, will mean that a project sometimes depicted as. But overcoming some of he says. When I was in middle school, I wrote a program
can start with identifying a business problem and the concerns is going to be a priority in order to But he asks me join him after the session. that printed all the prime numbers, and left it
taking steps to solve it, allowing for further data- increase its acceptance and adoption. “You ask the questions, and I’ll type my responses. running over the weekend. On Monday, I found the
driven AI solutions. I type really fast,” he says. printer room full of papers, and was reprimanded
This is his story, and part of the interview, in and asked not to leave programs running again.
8 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 9
I thought getting computers to do what people vocabulary, continuous-speech recognition system) 4th stage lymphoma five years ago) to make me
cannot do (I could not as a person do the maths possible. realise that all the hard work and accomplishments
that would print so many prime numbers) was As I matured and moved up in the corporations, earlier in life were for nothing.
exhilarating to me, and encouraged me to push I realised that what he said was not just a I realised that if I had only months to live, I
further into getting computers to do even more demonstration of magnanimity and open- wouldn’t spend one minute on work.
challenging things that people cannot do. mindedness, but it was an important form of I realised that my family was tolerant of my
In my sophomore year, I wrote a program to talk leadership – if you want to manage smart people, inattention and gave me love, support and especially
like my professor (in text). A lot of fun, but didn’t it is not possible to expect them to all agree with care during the hardest days facing the uncertainty
really succeed. you or follow you. of my health.
In my junior year, I wrote a program to predict By giving people with different opinions genuine And I was determined that, if I got better, I
human joint movement in a three-dimensional support, you win their heart and support. would change my life and re-prioritise my family
I would like to space. Also a lot of fun, but the data was simulated That became a management motto for me, as I and people who love me. That includes my wife, two
and not real. managed smart people in Apple, Microsoft and Google. daughters, five sisters, one brother and my mother
see AI liberate In my senior year, I worked on a parallel The biggest celebration in my career was the (who just passed away).
humans and processing technology that is the beginning of building of Sinovation Ventures, which was created I am now in remission, and am doing just that.
allow us to today’s Map-Reduce (which is a much better version ability to do any new independent work.” from ground up, and has now become a leading Yes, I’ve gone against the tide many times.
think what it invented by Google). Another inspiration was my PhD adviser, Turing Venture Capital firm in China. I learnt that, when I felt strongly and passionately
means to be Then I went to graduate school, where I did two Award recipient Raj Reddy. While I had successes earlier, it was never clear about something, I have to follow my heart and do
things: (1) developed the first game that beat the He gave me a direction to work on for speech whether it came from the platform of the company it. I trust that my intuition always leads me to the
one. world champion (in Othello) and (2) developed the recognition. (Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc), or whether it was right direction (with proper analysis, of course). If
world’s first speaker-independent, large-vocabulary, But when I got stuck, I found the courage to my personal contribution. I had just followed what others told me, I wouldn’t
continuous-speech recognition system. ask him: “I believe in the direction you set, but the Building something from the ground up was have done any of these things.
– Kai Fu-Lee I had two inspirations. One was our Department techniques you gave are not the ones I think will validating for me, and the resulting company felt I would like to see AI become viewed as a positive
Chair at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) Noco work. I want to use machine-learning for speech like my own baby. contribution to humanity – that it would liberate
Habermann. recognition.” But the real biggest celebration in life is my humans from having to do routine tasks, free us
When I entered the graduate school, and asked He said something to me that I will never forget: family. They have always supported me, despite to do what we love and think more about what it
him what it meant to be a PhD from CMU, he said “I don’t agree with you, but I’ll support you.” my (earlier) workaholic patterns, and not devoting means to be human.
“to become the very best in the narrow area where He spent over US$100,000 (S$136,000) of enough time to them. I would like to spend more of my life loving
you did your thesis”. his budget to buy me machines, hard disks, and And my biggest failure was not realising the value people who love me, and following my heart to do
And added “but that thesis is not your most collected data, which were instrumental to making and meaning of my family. what is my calling.
valuable asset. What’s the most valuable is your my PhD thesis (the first speaker-independent, large- It took a death-facing experience (diagnosed with – Shefali Rekhi
A law for robots in the works
vehicles is behind the questions about AI’s ethical intelligence,” Mr Kaevats said.
and legal rights. Some want AI recognised as an Complex AI systems rely on algorithms that react
SEAN LOO
entity that can be held accountable by law. to situations with no fixed rule book. The system
A task force is trying to create a “general knows only the statistical likelihood of an event
algorithmic liability law”, a law aimed at guiding a happening, but another outcome could take place,
PEPPER IS DR KARL KRUUSAMAE’S MODEL judge in arriving at a verdict in cases that involve AI. with unexpected consequences.
student. An expert in the Estonian language, Pepper The Estonian legislators have studied laws regarding If the law is passed, the legal status of AI will
works tirelessly on assignments and projects. self-driving cars since 2016. resemble that of a company, Mr Kaevats said. AI will
Pepper’s previous job experience includes being a National Digital Adviser Marten Kaevats likens be seen as an entity that can enjoy limited liability
reception officer at a telecommunications company, self-driving cars to “robots on wheels”. Their decision- separate from its stakeholders.
Telia. making algorithms are similar to those in drones However, the owner-creator could still be traced
But, unlike fellow students and workers, Pepper and autonomous devices like self-driving ships and and held responsible separately, he added.
has no rights. smartphones, he said. The government has been consulting the public
This, however, might change, depending on the While “sectoral-based regulation” is cumbersome, in an effort to understand concerns about AI. This
outcome of a debate among Estonian lawmakers. an all-encompassing law could help to address grey is because the question of who is at fault is often
Pepper is a humanoid robot developed by areas in issues concerning AI, he said. emotionally charged.
Japanese conglomerate SoftBank, and is currently The proposal under consideration by the task For example, it is difficult for many people to
under the supervision of Dr Kruusamae, an associate force is also known as the Kratt Law. accept that, in some instances, there is no one to
professor in robotics engineering at the University Kratt is a mythical slave formed from hay and blame, said Mr Kaevats.
of Tartu’s Institute of Technology. household objects. “It’s important to have the whole society on
Since last year, Estonia has been redefining the It comes to life when its master makes an offering board with this question,” he said.
A Pepper humanoid robot,
legal status of artificial intelligence (AI) actors in of three drops of blood, sealing a pact with the devil.
developed by SoftBank
disputes. Lawmakers are considering whether they Kratt does everything its master orders it to, The writer is a student of NTU’s Wee Kim Wee School of Group Corp, stands at the
should be given legal personhood. and has to be kept busy for fear that it might turn Communication and Information. This article is part of Mizuho Bank Ltd branch in
The increase in the number of self-driving against the master. “It is exactly the same as artificial the school’s Go-Far overseas reporting programme. Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO: BLOOMBERG
10 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 11
By Invitation valuable for the companies providing “free” services
to give up. To use one of the cliches of the computer
How to balance the benefits
age, these dossiers are “not a bug, but a feature”.
It is past time to examine the wisdom and
sustainability of this model, because the information
of Big Data with our privacy
collected – including websites visited, searches
initiated, day-by-day and minute-by-minute
geographic location, intimate questions asked by
users about diseases and disorders from which they
may suffer, relationships they may have, pictures of
The Internet’s convenience and freedom of use come at a price their children, purchases they make, their “likes”
and dislikes, their political views and so much more
– the personal data and privacy of billions of individuals are – when combined, can constitute an encyclopaedic
compromised. The mining of such information, ostensibly for narrative of a person’s life, including details and
patterns that most would not want to be compiled.
commercial reasons, could lead to worst nightmares for users. This threat to privacy and individual freedom
comes not only from the private sector. What
is initially collected in the private sector often
ways in which their personal data will be used, and becomes all too easily available to governments,
often without their permission – or at least without which can add that information to what many
And history AL GORE
the meaningful granting of permission that can of them already collect themselves. And history
gives us ample For The Straits Times
only be based on a full and true understanding of gives us ample reason for concern that the biggest
governed” – and thereby manipulate elections in Former U.S. Vice
reason for all that is being permitted. long-term problem with cyber security is the use
order to covertly control policies of other nations President Al Gore speaks
concern that Search engines and social-media platforms of voluminous data files and online-surveillance at the COP24 UN Climate
THE WORLDWIDE DIGITAL INFORMATION – along with many other companies whose technologies to alter the relationship between in a hostile manner. Change Conference
the biggest revolution, with the simultaneous deployment of business models are based primarily on the government and the governed, akin to the Big As the world is aware, this has already been 2018 in Katowice. As
long-term the Internet and ubiquitous computing, has led advertising revenue that allows them to provide Brother dystopia conjured by George Orwell. If attempted – and some of the attempts may have the number of online
users grow, he says, the
problem with to the emergence of a rudimentary “Global Mind” these convenient services for “free” – are now such powers go unchecked, they may well be used already succeeded. One of the more recent examples
internet will increasingly
and a planet-wide extension of the human nervous constantly collecting all of this information on in abusive ways when placed in the hands of less is the exposure of Cambridge Analytica’s use of such
cyber security system that transmits and shares information, information to influence elections around the world
bring about ever more
users in order to personalise and precisely tailor scrupulous leaders. transformational changes
is the use of thoughts and feelings among billions of people at advertising to match their individual interests. Yet, Moreover, even governments that do not abuse – by one count, their parent company played a role for human civilisation.
voluminous the speed of light. Moreover, this revolutionary and in diligently collecting this information over time, their power to secretly gain access to these dossiers in over 100 electoral campaigns in 32 countries. PHOTO: REUTERS
data files still-accelerating transformation is driving a storm many companies end up compiling vast dossiers of can be subverted by less scrupulous governments – In everyday life, the word most frequently used
of innovation and creativity that is bringing with information about their customers. That is precisely or non-state actors – that do find ways to gain access to describe the pervasiveness of online tracking is
and online it disruptive and widespread societal, political and “creepy”. But, in spite of the obvious risks we are
what the advertisers want and the money they pay to these dossiers and then use them to “hack” into
surveillance economic change. in return for the information in these voluminous the sacred algorithm at the heart of self-government running, many users of the Internet still do feel
technologies These developments present us with an files of information about each user is simply too – “all just power is derived from the consent of the that the Faustian bargain they are making is an
to alter the enormous source of hope for our ability to deal acceptable one. Many, perhaps, take comfort in the
with some of our greatest challenges, including, fact that hundreds of millions of others are facing We are just
relationship for example, the climate crisis. We are now at a the same risks. However, for the Internet to fulfil now beginning
between point where over half of the global population is the blessings it is capable of providing our society to better
government and connected to the Internet and has growing access and individual lives, we must ensure that it is made
understand
the governed, to the sum total of human knowledge at their more trustworthy, and that we protect our privacy
fingertips. As this percentage continues to grow, as a basic human value. this “Faustian
akin to the the Internet will increasingly bring about ever more PRODUCTIVITY
The ancients taught us that knowledge is power. bargain” – just
Big Brother transformational changes for human civilisation. Lord Acton taught us that power corrupts and
REPORT
as the fictional
dystopia However, some of these changes will also bring absolute power corrupts absolutely. Taken together,
APPRAISAL
Dr Faustus
conjured by unpredictable costs. We are just now beginning to these lessons should teach us that the compiling of
better understand this “Faustian bargain” – just as “absolute knowledge” about billions of individuals did not fully
George Orwell.
SEARCH DATA
the fictional Dr Faustus did not fully comprehend in all the nations of our world poses a danger to comprehend
the price for the vast new power he sought when human freedom and to the integrity of the collective the price for the
he first entered the bargain. For us, part of the decisions humanity must make to secure a safe,
price many are belatedly recognising involves the healthy and prosperous future.
vast new power
new vulnerability of our personal privacy and data he sought when
security. BT ILLUSTRATION: SIMON ANG The writer served two terms as Vice-President he first entered
For example, in exchange for the new and of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He is the bargain.
seemingly magical convenience these companies now the Co-founder and Chairman of Generation
offer us, we are allowing them to routinely Investment Management, a sustainable
collect vast amounts of information about all investment management firm. This article is
of their customers and users without a full published in collaboration with The World
understanding by those customers of the Economic Forum.
12 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 13
Thinking Aloud the liberal global order that American leaders have
sought to foster for decades.
“Trumpianism is about winning, which is
Seat-belt warning as storm something you do to others. The (liberal world)
order requires leading, which is something you do
with others,” he notes.
clouds loom in 2019 In any case, those who dismiss the sunny
internationalist outlook as a “fairy tale”, believe
“its day is done”, he adds, noting that these sceptics
say:”Americans don’t want it. The world does not
A new great-power rivalry, tired old squabbles with Malaysia, want it. US power is declining; China’s is rising. A
return to great-power conflict is inevitable; the only
and unfolding events point to some turbulence ahead question is how far things will go.”
Just how far things go in the months to come
matters greatly to many countries, not least
WARREN hours of meandering musings from 30,000 feet in Singapore, which have thrived on the open, rules-
FERNANDEZ the air about what lies ahead in the new year. Some based international trading order, and are loath
Editor-in-Chief of the storm clouds that appear to loom on the to see the rise of a new great-power rivalry that
political horizon include: will force an awkward “with-me-or-against-me”
taking of sides.
1. US-CHINA: RIVALRIES AMONG FRENEMIES Some are now saying that a new Cold War,
Three recent developments sum up the precarious between the US and China, is likely if not inevitable.
state of relations between the world’s two main Yet, most commentators agree that this is a blind
powers, now on a tentative 90-day hiatus while alley no one wants to go down, so the question that The new leader will need to establish himself, In this file photo taken on
arises is whether leaders – and their people – will domestically and internationally, hopefully without September 12, 2018, Apple
officials struggle to dial down simmering trade
CEO Tim Cook waves to the
warren@sph.com.sg tensions. have the wisdom to avoid doing so. being saddled with bitter disputes that belong in audience during an event
First, Apple’s profits warning – its first since Perhaps the wise words of US President Franklin the past. in Cupertino, California.
2002 – sent global markets into a tailspin when Roosevelt, who helped shaped the post-World War In Singapore, while the speculation that raged for Apple’s profits warning
they reopened for trading at the start of the year, II global order, as quoted by Mr Rose in his essay, most of last year – on the likely successor to Prime sent global markets into
a tailspin when they
on concerns about the slowing demand in China might help focus minds. Minister Lee Hsien Loong – has finally ended, the reopened for trading
and widening impact of the ongoing Sino-US trade “We have learnt that we cannot live alone, at handover process remains a work in progress, with at the start of the year,
spat. Jittery investors regained their composure peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the critical endorsement of the electorate having on concerns about the
somewhat on Friday, while some continued to fret the well-being of other nations far away. We have to be sought, quite likely later this year. slowing demand in China
and widening impact of
about the less than ominous beginnings. learnt that we must live as men, not ostriches, nor PM Lee spelt out the challenge for all concerned the ongoing Sino-US trade
On Jan 3, China’s dramatic landing of a lunar as dogs in a manger. We have learnt to be citizens in plain terms in his New Year’s message: “Our spat. PHOTO: AFP
probe on the far side of the moon signalled the of the world, members of the world community. model of governance is quite exceptional, and has
country’s growing technological and economic We have learnt the simple truth, as Emerson said, served us well. It has enabled Singapore to make
prowess. Inevitably, this forced the world’s that ‘the only way to have a friend is to be one’.” the most of what we have and stand out in a highly
scientists, policymakers and commentators to shake competitive world.
off any holiday-induced stupor they might have 2. MALAYSIA-SINGAPORE: “Singapore politics cannot afford to be riven
been languishing under. HAVE WE NOT LEARNT? and destabilised by the rivalries, contestations
Such concerns about China were reflected Those words ring true on matters closer to home, and factions so often seen elsewhere. Instead,
starkly in the remarks by the new Acting US where several bilateral issues flared up from out of Singaporeans must stay united, and work together
Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan, who stepped the blue in the dying days of last year. resolutely, to strengthen and renew our social
up to replace his predecessor James Mattis, who Disputes over airspace and maritime boundaries, compact.”
resigned over policy differences with President food supplies and water prices, and talk of crooked
Donald Trump. bridges, have a deja vu, “oh-so-yesterday” ring about 4. BREXIT: FLATTERING ALLUSIONS
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA In one of his first statements since taking on them. Sadly, they smack of zero-sum thinking, and OR DELUSIONS?
ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
the job, he told civilian leaders of the US military of a desire to be “winning, rather than leading” the Even as the clock ticks down to March 29, when
that, for all the other strategic challenges around way forward to better lives for the peoples of both the United Kingdom is due to leave the European
the world, their top priority was to focus on “China, countries. Union, its Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt – touted
YOU HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE. AS YOU SETTLE China, China”. as a man who might replace Prime Minister Theresa
into your comfortable seat for the long flight ahead, This made plain that the shift to a mode of 3. 4G LEADERS: May – was in Singapore, drawing parallels with how
a voice crackles from the cockpit. “strategic competition” with China, first mentioned THE END OF THE BEGINNING Britain might “plug into the international economic
“Our flying time today will be 12 hours, 40 in a US defence position paper last January, is very Significantly, these bilateral tensions come at grid”, just as Singapore had done and thrived,
minutes, and we expect a smooth journey ahead, much part of a nascent Washington consensus. a time of political transition on both sides of the contrary to what many predicted in the 1960s.
but there looks to be some pockets of turbulence The latest issue of Foreign Affairs reflects this, Causeway. While the remarks might be flattering, few
along the way,” your captain says, sounding vaguely with its cover story headlined, “Who will run the Inevitably, Malaysia’s new-old Prime Minister Singaporeans would crave them, given that the
assuring. “We suggest you keep your seat belt on.” world?” In the lead essay, the US-based publication’s Mahathir Mohamad will have to make way for a economic implications of Britain crashing out of
So was said on my recent Singapore Airlines flight editor Gideon Rose laments how much the Trump successor at some point, although to whom, or how the EU without a deal on how best to do so are
home from holidaying abroad. It prompted several administration’s view of the world is at odds with this might unfold, remains a little hazy. grave. That would leave the UK adrift, and at odds
14 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 15
with itself, at a time when the world could do with a long time ago, for solace and sustenance. So, along
The biggest AsianInsider
some phlegmatic British sense and sensibility. with my best wishes for the New Year, I offer you MONDAY, JAN 17 2019
stories in Asia -
these lines from British poet Alfred Tennyson’s
5. ELECTIONS AND EVENTS: Ulysses:
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED Come, my friends,
All of the above will play out against the backdrop ‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
in one snappy,
of major elections around the world, from Indonesia Push off, and sitting well in order smite 1 | Crunch time for Jokowi
to India, Australia to Argentina. These, and other The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
events, will throw up their share of surprises. To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
smart read.
Politicians focused on the short term need to secure Of all the western stars, until I die.
their own futures will be less inclined to take the It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
long-term measures needed to grapple with the It may be that we shall touch the Happy Isles,
technological disruptions shaking industries and And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
societies everywhere. Though much is taken, much abides; and though
So, fasten your seat belts, everyone, as the We are not now that strength which in old days
turbulence ahead looks likely to make for a bit of Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
a bumpy ride. One equal temper of heroic hearts,
At tricky and testing times such as these, my Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
mind drifts inexorably to words consigned to heart To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. The Straits Times Asian Insider
newsletter seeks to provide an
Elections, 2019 Incumbent President Joko
Widodo and his running mate
Ma'ruf Amin (left) exchanged independent, balanced perspective By all accounts, Indonesian President Joko Widodo should win
verbal punches with challengers the upcoming presidential elections: He holds a big lead in the
Here’s a look at some of Prabowo Subianto and his
running mate Sandiaga Uno on the latest developments. polls in his rematch with challenger Prabowo Subianto and
the key elections coming - during the televised debate
yesterday, which was broadcast
enjoys the built-in advantages of incumbency.
up this year in Asia. live by 18 television and radio
2 | Trade woes
stations across Indonesia. The
THAILAND
topics covered were on the
hot-button issues of corruption,
Get insights from our network of
General elections
March 24, 2019
terrorism, human rights and the
law. PHOTOS: EPA-EFE, REUTERS over 30 correspondents in almost
every major Asian capital, as well
Thailand is expected to hold its first
election in eight years on Feb 24. By INDONESIA INDIA
then, the coup-prone kingdom would Presidential and Legislative elections General elections April-May, 2019
have spent almost five years under April 17, 2019 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has as in the United States and Europe.
military rule. More than 192 million voters in Indonesia travelled the world to raise India’s profile,
Critics of the ruling junta allege the
polls have been rigged to extend military
will head to the polls on April 17 to cast
their ballots in the 2019 presidential and
ushered in one of the biggest reforms
of modern-day India with a goods and
Delivered to your e-mail inbox
influence and engineer a second term for
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, a retired
legislative elections.
This will be the first time that citizens
services tax, and presided over one of
the world’s fastest-growing economies.
every weekday.
general who had led the 2014 coup. in the world’s third-largest democracy Yet, as the popular leader heads into a
They also warn that his term could will pick their president and MPs on the general election next year, he is going to
last for another eight years because of a same day. find it difficult to replicate the landslide
transitional constitutional provision. All eyes, however, will be on the high- win that brought him to power in 2014,
This election promises to be intensely stakes contest between President Joko said analysts. There was a bloodbath in December 2018. This week, as
competitive, thanks to a new electoral Widodo and his old rival, former general There is nationwide distress among economies around the region total up the numbers for last
system that narrows the gap between Prabowo Subianto. farmers over low prices for their produce, month, many are finding export figures well below
top-performing and second-most While the presidential race has been and a lack of jobs that is creating expectations.
popular parties. billed as a rematch of the 2014 election disenchantment among different groups,
The junta lifted a ban on political between the two, Mr Joko – better known including the Dalits, who are at the 3 | The wait goes on for Thai polls
activity only on Dec 11, giving parties a as Jokowi – is no longer the dark horse, bottom of the caste hierarchy and have
very short runway to the polls. but the incumbent, whose track record been the target of Hindu nationalist
The new Constitution enacted after will be up for scrutiny by voters. groups.
the coup makes it very difficult for The question now is whether he — Nirmala Ganapathy, India Bureau Chief
big parties such as the former ruling
Pheu Thai Party to dominate any more.
has done enough, particularly in his
infrastructure push, in beefing up the
Asia in context, in your mailbox.
Instead, small- or medium-sized parties economy and raising wages, to convince Sign up now.
will gain ground, making a coalition Indonesians to give him a second five-
government very likely.
— Tan Hui Yee, IndoChina Bureau Chief
year term.
— Francis Chan, Indonesia Bureau Chief
str.sg/newsletters
16 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 17the Centre for the Study of Society and Politics, a have been under government scrutiny, analysts
Asia Update research centre in Uttar Pradesh. noted.
“They have also stolen the narrative of the SP-BSP Also, she has very little time to build up the
Many view Priyanka’s entry alliance, which everybody was talking about here.
Now, it has shifted back to the Congress.”
Mrs Vadra, however, faces some major challenges.
party’s organisational structure in Uttar Pradesh,
where the Congress has largely performed poorly
in recent years.
as boost for Congress party
Her entry has strengthened the BJP charge of Mrs Vadra is well aware of the challenge, said a
nepotism and dynastic politics in the Congress. Congress functionary who spoke on condition of
Mr Modi alluded to it, saying that for some, anonymity.
“family is the party but, for the BJP, party is family”. “In a way, it is a challenge for her. It is not easy
She is seen as capable of taking on Modi but may not have She is also expected to get heat because of her
husband Robert Vadra’s real-estate dealings, which
but she has accepted that challenge,” added the
functionary.
enough time to prepare for election battle
NIRMALA A MEMBER OF THE POWERFUL NEHRU-GANDHI The announcement comes around three months
GANAPATHY political dynasty, Mrs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, has
formally entered politics, a surprise move that
shy of the country’s general elections.
Many political observers, however, were caught
Malaysia’s new king
India Bureau Chief
analysts say will give a big boost to the opposition by surprise as Mrs Vadra makes her political debut
In New Delhi
Congress party. in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where a high-stakes battle
Pahang ruler elected as
The 47-year-old mother of two had, for the most is almost certain among the Congress, Bharatiya Malaysia’s new king after
part, stayed out of public view and surfaced mostly Janata Party (BJP) and regional parties.
during election time to help campaign in the family While analysts say her entry will enthuse special meeting
boroughs in the central state of Uttar Pradesh. Congress party workers, they also noted that she
But, in January, the Congress announced her has a very short time to organise the Congress
gnirmala@sph.com.sg appointment as the general secretary in charge campaign and help revive the party’s fortunes in MALAYSIA’S NEW KING WAS ELECTED IN JANUARY
of east Uttar Pradesh, a key part of the politically Uttar Pradesh. by following strictly the order of succession that had
important state that, in total, has 80 seats in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh includes the Gandhi- been laid out since independence 60 years ago.
Lower House of Parliament. Nehru family constituencies of Amethi and Rae This was despite some speculation that there
Mrs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Bareli, as well as Mr Modi’s constituency Varanasi could be a surprise in the ascension of the new
faces major challenges and Gorakhpur, from where Uttar Pradesh Chief constitutional monarch.
such as her being part of
the Nehru-Gandhi lineage,
Minister Yogi Adityanath fights. The Malay royal houses elected Sultan Abdullah
attracting more BJP “She is seen as somebody who appeals to Brahmins Ri’ayatuddin, the 59-year-old ruler of Pahang, after
accusations of nepotism of Uttar Pradesh, youth and women because she is a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers.
and dynastic politics in the very spontaneous. She is seen as someone who Eight of the nine rulers were present, including
Congress party, while her The sixth Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah ibni Sultan
can take on (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi,” said Sultan Abdullah himself.
husband Robert Vadra’s Ahmad Shah (seated, left) and his consort Tunku Azizah
real-estate dealings journalist and author Rasheed Kidwai. Only the Kelantan ruler, Sultan Muhammad TRINNA LEONG
Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, on their thrones during
have also been under “This is a very clever ploy to pin down two key V, was absent, It was the abdication of Sultan their coronation at Istana Abu Bakar Palace in Pekan, Malaysia correspondent
government scrutiny. campaigners: Modi and Yogi Adityanath.” Muhammad V on Jan 6, after just two years as king, Pahang, near Kuala Lumpur. PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: REUTERS In Kuala Lumpur
Mr Modi powered to victory in 2014 on a wave that brought about the ascension of Sultan Abdullah.
that decimated the Congress party. Five years on, The abdication followed news that he had Although the Malay rulers have rather limited
he still remains the most popular political leader married a Russian beauty queen outside Malaysia. roles as constitutional monarchs at state and federal
in India, but his re-election bid is burdened by two Till today, neither the Kelantan ruler nor the levels, they are seen as important symbols of Malay
growing problems: joblessness and farm distress. Malaysian government has confirmed this despite political power and protectors of Islam in the Malay-
Electoral defeats in the BJP’s stronghold widespread photos of the supposed wedding on majority country of about 32 million people.
states of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and social media. Sultan Abdullah became Malaysia’s Yang di-
Madhya Pradesh by the Congress last Under the succession order laid out after Pertuan Agong, or Supreme Ruler, just over a week ltrinna@sph.com.sg
year have also hit Mr Modi’s party and independence from Britain in 1957, the Pahang after he was installed as the new ruler of Pahang,
energised the opposition. house would be next in line to become the Malaysian after his father, Sultan Ahmad Shah, 88, stepped
Efforts are under way to build an king, followed by Johor and Perak. down due to declining health.
opposition alliance. Sultan Abdullah will now reign for five years as In a grand installation ceremony at the royal
In Uttar Pradesh, regional parties the king under a unique rotation system involving palace in Pekan, Sultan Abdullah was bestowed the
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi the nine Malay royal families. full royal title of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ria’yatuddin
Party (SP) formed a much-talked-about alliance Top state officials and Malaysians poured their Al Mustafa Billah Shah ibni Sultan Ahmad Shah
that, however, did not include the Congress party. congratulations through mainstream media and al-Musta’in Billah.
With Mrs Vadra’s entry, analysts said, the on social media. The new King is known to be a keen sportsman,
Congress stole attention away from the alliance Muhammad Izwan Shah posted on his Facebook while his wife, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah
and shifted it to the Congress. account: “Congratulations Tuanku (Your Majesty). Iskandariah Sultan Iskandar, is an avid cook.
“Congress has made a smart move. By bringing May Allah bless the country under your reign Tunku Azizah, 58, is the younger sister of the
in Priyanka, it has enthused the rank and file of and may the country prosper and become more ruler of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.
Congress,” said Dr Anil Kumar Verma, chair of developed.” Sultan Abdullah has nine children.
18 ASIA REPORT January - February 2019 19You can also read
