The Book

AI-First Nation

A blueprint for policy makers and organisation leaders

Chronicles AI Singapore’s talent and innovation programmes and Singapore’s rise as a leading AI nation. Co-written with Google Gemini as a working “biographer”, it went from first page to publisher in under three months.

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As covered by

Distinguished leaders on AI-First Nation

Blueprint for the future

“Best description of how to build AI capacity.”

Professor Yaacob Ibrahim

Former Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

“Offers reproducible insights for policy makers.”

Professor Emeritus Steven Miller

Founding Dean, School of Computing and Information Systems, SMU; Project Consultant, UN DESA

“Offers a glimpse into Singapore’s journey to be an AI-driven smart nation.”

Professor Mohan Kankanhalli

Deputy Executive Chairman, AI Singapore; Provost’s Chair Professor, NUS

“A playbook full of vivid stories.”

Professor Low Teck Seng

Senior Vice President (Sustainability and Resilience), NUS; former CEO, National Research Foundation

“Driving force… compelling and practical blueprint.”

Jessie Jie Xia

Global Chief Information Officer, ThoughtWorks

“True pioneer.”

Dr Ralph Ostertag

Director Digital & Technology in Asia Pacific, HEINEKEN

Subutai Ahmad

CEO, Numenta

Inside the book

A blueprint you can run

AI-First Nation by Laurence Liew is a blueprint for policy makers, organisational leaders, and anyone seeking to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI). The book chronicles AI Singapore’s initiatives that are nurturing Singapore’s pool of AI talent and shaping the nation’s AI future.

With his unconventional ideas and determination, Laurence offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at the programmes he developed and implemented, the challenges of AI adoption, and what actually works. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of artificial intelligence, how governments can foster innovation in AI, and Singapore’s journey to becoming an AI First Nation.

Importantly, this book is itself a demonstration of the productivity gains AI makes possible: the Preface and Ethical Declaration explains how Laurence used AI as an assistant (a co-pilot, a biographer) to write this book in record time.

Contents

Eight chapters, one blueprint

01AI Singapore
02The 100 Experiments (100E) programme
03AI Makerspace
04AI Apprenticeship Programme (AIAP)
05LearnAI
06The AI Readiness Index (AIRI)
07Putting Singapore on the World Map
08The AI-First Nation Blueprint

Preface

Preface and Ethical Declarations

Why and how this book was written with AI, in the author’s words.

I have written and published a few articles on LinkedIn and AI Singapore’s website and have considered writing a book about high performance computing and open-source software (my true passion and expertise). I have always put it off. So, this is my first attempt at a book.

But I wanted this book to be different, and to not only tell the AI Singapore story but also use this book as a platform to show how AI can augment us humans in our tasks. I need to “walk the talk”. I cannot ask the audience at my events to use AI to augment their daily work without providing a tangible example. Showing screenshots and videos of how Microsoft CoPilot can summarise a meeting or how Gemini Workspace can generate pictures for a presentation is not enough to persuade. These examples are low-hanging fruits of 20-30% productivity gains. Would it be compelling enough? Where is the “wow” factor?

This book is that example. This is the “wow”.

I started writing this book on 3rd of March 2024, and today is 10th May 2024. In less than 3-months, I have gone from an idea to a ready to publish book. This is the transformation we will see. This is the future of work with AI.

When Google launched Gemini, I thought this was an opportunity to see if I can use a large language model (LLM) to help me write the book. I did not want the LLM to generate the book for me. I have delivered many presentations on the AI Singapore narrative and the various programs we offer, so I had an abundance of materials and many stories and insights in my head. I wanted a way to extract this information and insights from my head into the book, and what better way than to have a biographer do that?

So, I tried a few prompts and asked the LLM to be a biographer and ask me questions about AI Singapore – this way, I can easily “tell” the story of AI Singapore.

I found Gemini was capable as prompted, and after a few tries I developed a smooth to-and-fro interaction with Gemini as a “biographer”. The ask-me-the questions style, and I provide the answers, allowed me to “generate” all the contents of the book over a few sessions.

This motivated me to complete the book as I believed this would be the first of its kind use of an LLM to co-write a book as a personal biographer. But more importantly, to share the story of how AI Singapore came to be, and how AI Singapore helped propelled Singapore to become a leading AI nation in numerous indices and studies, and why many countries have been coming to learn from us.

In the next section, I outline the steps of how I use the LLMs, and I hope it will be useful to authors and inspire other creative ways to use LLM for everyone’s benefit.

Forewords

A minister and a model

Foreword I

Professor Yaacob Ibrahim

Former Minister, Ministry of Communications and Information, Singapore

“AI-First Nation” is a book that is indeed timely as Singapore and the rest of the world grapple with the increasing presence of AI in their respective societies. One of the key institutions managing this development in Singapore is AI Singapore, a National Research Foundation (NRF) funded research and development institute within the National University of Singapore (NUS).

This book is not just an account of AI Singapore’s initiatives, but also serves as a blueprint for the future. It provides invaluable insights for policymakers and leaders who aspire to harness the transformative power of AI for the betterment of their nations and organisations. AI Singapore’s approach of ‘do first, apologise later’ approach, while unconventional, has proven to be remarkably effective, fostering a culture of innovation and agility within AI Singapore.

I commend Laurence and the AI Singapore team for their dedication and unwavering belief in the potential of AI to shape a brighter future.

Hence, it is with great pleasure that I pen this foreword for “AI-First Nation,” a testament to the vision and tireless efforts of Laurence Liew and the team at AI Singapore. May this book empower leaders worldwide to embark on their own AI journeys, guided by the lessons and insights gleaned from Singapore’s experience.

Ultimately, our goal must be for technology, such as AI, to serve the needs of mankind and in making the world a better and safe place for all.

Congratulations to Laurence for producing this book and the AI Singapore team for laying the foundations for the responsible and ethical use of AI.

Foreword II

Google Gemini 1.5 Pro

Generated 18 May 2024. Prompt disclosed: “Please write a foreword for the book AIFN.”

In a world rapidly being reshaped by artificial intelligence (AI), “AI-First Nation” emerges as an essential guide for navigating the complexities and opportunities of this technological revolution. This book is not merely a theoretical exploration of AI’s potential; it is a practical blueprint, a testament to the power of vision, leadership, and collaboration in driving AI innovation.

Laurence Liew, the Director of AI Innovation at AI Singapore, takes us on an exhilarating journey through Singapore’s remarkable transformation into an AI powerhouse. With firsthand insights and candid reflections, he unveils the strategies, programs, and initiatives that have propelled Singapore to the forefront of the global AI landscape.

This book is a treasure trove of knowledge for policymakers, business leaders, educators, and anyone with a stake in shaping the future. It offers a comprehensive understanding of AI’s transformative potential, from revolutionizing industries to enhancing public services and empowering individuals. Liew’s pragmatic approach, grounded in real-world experiences and challenges, provides a roadmap for harnessing AI’s power responsibly and ethically.

As AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, “AI-First Nation” serves as a beacon, illuminating the path toward a future where AI is not just a tool but a catalyst for progress, inclusivity, and prosperity. It is a must-read for those who dare to dream of a world where AI is a force for good, where technology empowers humanity, and where innovation knows no bounds.

Epilogue

The book, reviewed by its biographer

The complete, unedited Gemini 1.5 Pro book review, 11 April 2024.

When Google introduced Gemini 1.5 Pro, I wanted to explore the capabilities of its 1 million token context window and see if I could use it to enhance my book further.

On April 11th, 2024, I uploaded the entire book text into Gemini 1.5 Pro running in Google AI Studio. To my surprise, Gemini generated a book review!

I started this book using Gemini as a biographer to help me write this book. I think ending this book with Gemini as a reviewer would be fitting.

Review by Google Gemini 1.5 Pro

Analysis of “AI-First Nation: A Blueprint for Policy Makers and Organisation Leaders” by Laurence Liew.

This document provides a comprehensive overview of AI Singapore’s initiatives and achievements, particularly focusing on the AI Innovation pillar. The author, Laurence Liew, details the challenges faced, the innovative solutions developed, and the successes achieved, offering valuable insights for policymakers and organisational leaders seeking to leverage AI.

Key Takeaways:

Holistic Approach: AI Singapore adopts a holistic approach encompassing research, technology, innovation, products, and governance. This ensures comprehensive development and responsible implementation of AI solutions.
Innovation and Talent Development: The 100 Experiments (100E) program promotes collaboration between AI researchers and industry partners to solve real-world problems. The AI Apprenticeship Program (AIAP) nurtures local AI talent through hands-on experience and mentorship. LearnAI initiatives further democratise AI knowledge across various demographics.
Addressing Challenges: The book openly discusses the challenges encountered, such as talent scarcity, industry apprehension, and data limitations. Innovative solutions like AIAP, AI4E, and AIRI demonstrate AI Singapore’s agility and responsiveness.
Impact and Recognition: AI Singapore’s programs have delivered tangible results, including successful 100E projects with prominent organisations like IBM, Sompo, GIC, and Q&M Dental. International recognition through AIAP-X and participation in GPAI showcases Singapore’s leadership in AI.
Blueprint for the Future: The book provides a blueprint for establishing an AI First nation, emphasising government investment, industry adoption, academic contributions, and public awareness.

Strengths:

Practical Insights: The book goes beyond theoretical discussions and provides practical insights based on real-world experiences.
Transparency: Openly discussing challenges and failures allows readers to learn from AI Singapore’s journey.
Focus on Talent Development: The emphasis on building a robust AI talent pipeline through AIAP and LearnAI is crucial for long-term success.
International Collaboration: AIAP-X and GPAI initiatives demonstrate Singapore’s commitment to global AI advancement.

Potential Areas for Further Exploration:

Long-term sustainability of AIAP and 100E programs.
Scalability of LearnAI initiatives to reach wider audiences.
Addressing potential ethical concerns surrounding AI development and deployment.
Evolution of AIRI to encompass emerging AI trends and technologies.

Overall, “AI-First Nation” offers valuable insights and a practical blueprint for harnessing the power of AI. By sharing its experiences and successes, AI Singapore inspires and guides others on their own AI journeys.