CNA938 Rewind - Could we ever see a messaging app banned in Singapore?
Vietnam's technology ministry has ordered telecommunication service providers there to block Telegram for not co-operating in combating alleged crimes committed by its users. This prompted Daniel Martin and Justine Moss to ask Associate Professor Natalie Pang from the Department of Communications and New Media, NUS, the question: Could we ever see a messaging app banned in Singapore?
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Straits Times
9 minutes ago
- Straits Times
NDR 2025: S'pore looking at more ways to strengthen online safety for children and support parents
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PM Lawrence Wong cautioned that young people may lose touch with the real world when they become overly immersed in the virtual world. Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Amid concerns about the impact of technology on young people, in particular screen addiction, Singapore is considering more ways to support parents and make online spaces safer for children. Some countries have passed new laws to tighten access to social media and the internet for children, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Aug 17. 'We are studying their experiences closely to understand what truly works. And we will consider what more we can do to strengthen online safety for children,' he said during his National Day Rally speech at the ITE College Central. 'Every generation worries about negative influences impacting their young people,' PM Wong said, adding that many parents today worry that their children are spending too much time on screens. This ranges from scrolling on social media, to surfing the internet or playing computer games. In the past, children were constantly reminded not to watch too much TV, PM Wong said, but today's environment is on a wholly different scale. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: Govt will help workers harness AI, redesign jobs, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: Govt to strengthen partnership with Chinese community, which played key role in nation-building Singapore NDR 2025: New Islamic college campus will be in Rochor, students can take courses at SUSS next door Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Singapore She won big in Genting, but getting $240k winnings back to Singapore was dicey 'Everyone is online, always connected, and always within reach on their phones, 24/7. So it's much harder for parents to set boundaries, or even to know what their children are doing.' He cautioned that young people may lose touch with the real world when they become overly immersed in the virtual world. They may grow up more socially isolated, be exposed to harmful or toxic content, and have their self-esteem, emotional development and mental wellbeing chipped away over time. To this end, he said it is necessary to strike the right balance between protecting the young from the potential harms of technology and equipping them to fully exploit its benefits. This has to start early, right from infancy, said PM Wong. 'For infants and toddlers, the science is clear, no screen time at all,' he said, adding that parents should also be mindful to limit screen time for pre-schoolers. 'We should not use phones as a baby-sitter, just to keep our children quiet or occupied.' Guidelines on screen use were earlier issued by the Ministry of Health on Jan 21, as part of Grow Well SG , a national health strategy to encourage children and adolescents to adopt healthier lifestyles. PM Wong said children should be encouraged to spend more time outdoors to play, make friends and be active. 'Let them run around in the parks and playgrounds. Give them space to explore on their own, to try, take some knocks, and get back up again. 'Through it all, they can learn, grow and gain confidence in the real world, not the virtual one,' he said. Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here:
CNA
9 minutes ago
- CNA
NDR 2025: Singaporeans remain key priority as AI reshapes economy, says PM Wong
SINGAPORE: Amid concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong assured Singaporeans that they remain the central focus of the country's economic strategy. 'Singaporeans will always be at the centre of everything we do,' he said during his National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 17). Acknowledging that technology will lead to some roles evolving and others disappearing, Mr Wong said new jobs will also emerge. To help Singaporeans seize new job opportunities, he announced a new job-matching initiative to be led by the five Community Development Councils (CDCs), which will help connect jobseekers with vacancies. He noted that while previous waves of technological change improved job quality and pay, many now fear AI may replace entire occupations. 'I understand these concerns, and I assure you: even as we embrace Al and technology, we will not lose sight of our key priority.' Mr Wong stressed that innovation and technology are vital to raising productivity and improving lives in a sustainable way. Singapore has invested in research and development for over two decades, including an early bet on biomedical sciences that proved valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'We are applying the same long-term approach to other frontier technologies,' he said, highlighting quantum computing as an example. Beyond cutting-edge research, Mr Wong said it is important for new technologies to be adopted across the wider economy. Recalling the nationwide computerisation drive in the 1980s, he said students were exposed to computers in schools and community centres, while workers received training. 'With each new wave of technology, we adapted. We upgraded. We lifted our whole country up,' he said. ERA OF AI The world is now entering an era shaped by artificial intelligence – what Mr Wong called the 'defining technology of our time'. He noted that AI is progressing rapidly and will transform how people live, work and interact. AI is already being deployed across industries. The civil service uses it to transcribe and summarise calls. Tuas Port is highly automated, and Changi Airport is exploring automation for baggage handling and airside operations. American multinational corporation GE Vernova has a high-tech facility in Singapore that uses AI to detect anomalies in turbine components so that repair works can be carried out. Local firms such as Q&M Dental are also using AI to help dentists analyse X-rays. 'There are many, many more possibilities,' said Mr Wong. 'We will equip and empower every enterprise, especially our SMEs to harness Al effectively, and sharpen their competitive edge.' SUPPORT FOR WORKERS Singapore will not rush to adopt technology without ensuring support for workers, Mr Wong said. The government will work closely with unions and workers to redesign jobs and empower employees. 'Ultimately, our economic strategy is about jobs, jobs and jobs – that's our number one priority,' he said. To that end, a new job-matching initiative will be launched at the town level by the five CDCs. With their local networks of merchants, SMEs and community partners, they are well-placed to match jobseekers with vacancies – especially those who prefer to work closer to home. The mayors will share more details on the scheme soon, he added. A SkillsFuture Level Up programme for those 40 and older was also introduced last year, Mr Wong said. Under the programme, eligible mid-career workers receive S$4,000 (US$3,100) in SkillsFuture credits and training allowances of up to S$3,000 a month for those who take time off from work to study full-time. As announced in his Budget 2025 speech, part of the training allowance can be claimed for part-time courses. Course offerings will also be expanded to include programmes by private providers and industry leaders, in addition to institutes of higher learning. Singapore must continue building a dynamic economy that creates good jobs and better lives for all Singaporeans, said Mr Wong. 'We may not be able to match other countries in size or scale. But we will stay ahead in ideas, in innovation, and in our collective will to move forward – together as one united people.'
Independent Singapore
4 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
‘Drivers helped build this company, and now… drivers no longer partners?' — PHV drivers react to Grab investing in WeRide to bring robotaxis to Southeast Asia
SINGAPORE: Step aside, human drivers. Your new colleague doesn't need sleep, snacks, or small talk. Grab, Southeast Asia's ride-hailing juggernaut and reigning superapp, has just made a Press Release announcement of a strategic equity investment in Chinese autonomous driving giant WeRide . The move, also revealed in a joint announcement reported by Tech in Asia, is aimed at rolling out Level 4 robotaxis and autonomous shuttles across Southeast Asia — and possibly reshaping urban transport as we know it. That's the future knocking. Robotaxis. In Southeast Asia. The region that's famous for chaotic traffic, street food stalls in the fast lane, and grabby Grab drivers (pun intended). What's level 4 autonomy? Level 4 means the vehicle can drive itself without human input — in specific conditions or geofenced areas. No driver's hands. No nervous brake-pumping. Just sensors, software, and sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI). Think Tesla, but with less hype and hopefully fewer exploding batteries. According to WeRide 's CEO, Dr. Tony Han, their vision is ambitious: 'WeRide's vision for Southeast Asia is to deploy thousands of Robotaxis across the region, through a progressive rollout aligned with local regulations and societal readiness.' And who better to partner with than Grab, whose app is already embedded into the daily life of millions from Singapore to Jakarta? But are Southeast Asia's roads ready for it, anyway? While WeRide has proven itself in China and the Middle East, Southeast Asia presents a unique challenge — and perhaps a reality check for any AI-driven vehicle. The potholes have personalities. Motorbikes don't obey lanes. And crossing pedestrians, sometimes they don't even walk — they glide between cars like action movie stars. But Grab seems confident. 'We look forward to working with WeRide to extensively test their vehicles across diverse Southeast Asian environments,' Tan said. And if those tests pass, you might be hailing your next ride in Singapore or Malaysia only to be greeted by… well, no one, except for a screen and a robotic voice. Not all PHV drivers are on board (literally or figuratively) with the idea, though Reactions among current Grab drivers have been… mixed. In the Professional PHV Drivers Singapore group, comments ranged from sceptical to savage: 'If SEA governments are smart, don't let them come in. Don't create unemployment like what China is facing now,' warned one. 'Robotaxi… Grab takes 100% fare… pays tax to the government… this will be the future. It's only a matter of time…' another made a reminding statement. 'Drivers helped build this company, and now… Cross the bridge and dismantle it,' read one frustrated comment. And another, probably in fear of what the future holds for PHV drivers, nervously asked: 'Are drivers no longer partners?' It's clear that while Grab is painting a picture of coexistence between man and machine, some drivers feel they're being left at the kerb. When superapp and superbrain join forces… Grab's investment is set to close by the first half of 2026, pending all the usual due diligence and timing preferences from WeRide . But beyond the money, this partnership is all about tech and traction. Together, the two companies plan to: Integrate WeRide's AV tech into Grab's ride-hailing network Collaborate on fleet management, dispatch, routing, and remote monitoring Train and upskill Grab's driver-partners for new high-value roles in the AV sector (translation: not firing them… if they're willing to upgrade themselves) According to Grab CEO Anthony Tan: 'We believe AVs can complement our driver network and be deployed in cities with significant driver shortages.' That's corporate speak for: 'We're not replacing you… We're augmenting you.' (This is the part you still get nervous glances from human drivers.) The big picture: Why does this matter if it works… or not Autonomous vehicles aren't just about tech innovation — they're about how societies evolve around it. Grab 's move is part of a global trend, but its implementation in the diverse, developing, and sometimes unpredictable cities of Southeast Asia will be a true litmus test. If it works, robotaxis could: Reduce accidents (no more road rage or sleepy drivers) Provide 24/7 access in underserved areas Ease the pressure from driver shortages Create new jobs in AV maintenance, fleet ops, and supervision But if it flops, expect traffic chaos… and similar viral TikToks again. From MOU to major milestone If this sounds sudden, it's not. The deal builds upon a March 2025 Memorandum of Understanding, where both companies agreed to explore AVs' feasibility in the region. Less than a year later, that idea has gone from handshake to headline. Behind the scenes: A whole lot of geeky integration The Grab–WeRide collaboration is not just a front-end show of flashy AVs. Under the hood, it's a full-stack marriage of hardware, software, and cloud infrastructure. The partnership will work on: Dispatch & Routing: Matching cars with riders using AI, not fingers Matching cars with riders using AI, not fingers Uptime Maximisation: Charging, maintaining, and keeping those bots rolling Charging, maintaining, and keeping those bots rolling Safety Performance: Because dodging street animals and unpredictable GrabFood riders takes skill Because dodging street animals and unpredictable GrabFood riders takes skill Remote Monitoring: Teleoperations to handle emergencies when a robot doesn't know what to do Teleoperations to handle emergencies when a robot doesn't know what to do Customer Support: Because even AI needs help when it ends up in the wrong neighbourhood Because even AI needs help when it ends up in the wrong neighbourhood Human Upskilling: Through WeRide 's AV training programs and GrabAcademy's career modules In short, this isn't just a pilot project — it's a long game to redefine what 'ride-hailing' means in the age of AI. So what happens next? The road ahead is long (and full of roadblocks), but with this investment, Grab and WeRide are officially driving in the same direction. And whether you're a tech geek, a nervous driver, or just someone who hates small talk during a ride, the future of mobility in Southeast Asia just got a major update. So for now, buckle up — or don't, your next autonomous car ride might just do that for you. In other news, unlike robotaxis—which don't take things personally or throw a tantrum over passengers' air-conditioning requests—one human PHV driver did otherwise. When his passenger asked to 'increase the air-con,' the driver, clearly not in the mood for thermostat diplomacy, snapped with a sharp: 'Go ahead and get out!' Let's just say: AI may lack emotions or feelings, but at least it won't yell at you. Catch the full real-life PHV drama over here: 'Get out! Get out! This is my car; I'm asking you to get out!' — Tada driver ejects passenger for asking to 'increase air-con speed'
