DBS Foundation in tie-up with IMDA to accelerate digital inclusivity for the elderly
'Create a colourful and cute image of a big Hello Kitty sitting on top of a Merlion for my daughter's artwork.'
The above are not random questions but prompts taught at a generative artificial intelligence (AI) workshop conducted by DBS Foundation and Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) on Monday (Aug 4).
The SG Digital Society Report 2023 stated that while Singapore is among the most digitally inclusive nations in the world, many seniors, who make up close to 20 per cent of citizens in Singapore, need more support in adopting modern technology as only 45 per cent of them are willing to try out modern technologies. This is compared with 65 per cent of Singaporeans aged 15 to 59.
Singapore society is projected to become super-aged by 2026, and by 2030, one in four people in Singapore will be aged 65 and above.
Hence, the new three-year partnership's key focus will be to increase Gen AI literacy and proficiency among seniors and vulnerable individuals. Through these efforts, the organisations aim to collectively reach out to 250,000 individuals – including senior citizens, youth, and individuals with special needs.
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At the workshop, which included about 30 people above 60-years-old from Lions Befrienders, Lim Him Chuan, DBS Singapore country head, said it is not true that people in the older age group have less interest in technology.
'The seniors want to be protected from scams and frauds but continue to be engaged.'
He added: 'Besides widening access to technology, we are enabling beneficiaries to understand what Gen AI is and how it works, as well as to boost their confidence to navigate it confidently.'
Hence, DBS Foundation is also contributing S$3 million (inclusive of the government's dollar-for-dollar matching) to the national Digital for Life (DfL) fund.
Jasmin Lau, minister of state for digital development and information, was guest of honour at the DBS Foundation Generative AI Workshop. The volunteers from the bank and DBS' brand ambassador and Olympic medallist Max Maeder were also on site to participate in activities with the elderly, as well as spread the message to have fun while learning Gen AI.
As Karen Ngui, head of DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, said: 'This requires a deliberate, collective, whole-of-society effort.'
Retiree Lim Siew Gin said that she will be using Gen AI to plan her upcoming holiday.
The 70-year-old participant added: 'Everything (nowadays) is digital so we (need to) learn and improve.'
This renewed partnership builds on an earlier partnership between DBS Foundation and IMDA in 2022 where the former, supported by the government's dollar-for-dollar matching, contributed S$1 million to the DfL movement and step up its volunteer participation to drive digital literacy training.
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