Latest news with #Pair
CNA
04-08-2025
- Business
- CNA
More than 10,000 public officers have created custom AI assistants
Nearly four out of five public officers in Singapore now use "Pair", the government's AI assistant, making public services faster and more efficient. Fresh second-quarter data shows a 20 per cent jump in active users since the first quarter, now topping 64,000. More than 10,000 officers have even built custom AI tools to speed up daily tasks - from HR to frontline ops. Noah Kong reports on how AI is reshaping public service and how other frontline teams are following suit.
Straits Times
09-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
More public officers in Singapore use government chatbot to enhance productivity
Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo (fifth from right) with the award recipients at the Singapore Computer Society's 57th Tech Leader Awards ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel on May 9. ST PHOTO: SHINTARO TAY More public officers in Singapore use government chatbot to enhance productivity SINGAPORE – The number of public officers who actively use Pair, a chatbot which assists with research and writing, has doubled from 2024. About 50,000 people – making up a third of all public officers here – now regularly use the artificial intelligence (AI) tool to enhance their productivity, said Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo. She was speaking at the Singapore Computer Society's Tech Leaders Awards ceremony, held at Shangri-La Singapore on May 9. Launched in 2023, Pair is a secure version of ChatGPT developed by Open Government Products – an independent division of the Government Technology Agency (GovTech). GovTech chief technology officer Chang Sau Sheong said in October 2024 that about 55,000 public officers used Pair, of whom half were active users. About 100,000 public officers now use the AI tool, the Ministry of Digital Development and Information said. 'Now, public officers have created thousands of experimental chatbots using our AIBots platform, and have innovated solutions ranging from answering HR queries to guiding colleagues through budget and procurement processes,' Mrs Teo said. AIBots, also created by GovTech, lets public officers quickly create custom chatbots. The breadth and depth of AI activities here is growing, Mrs Teo said, adding that the international community is becoming increasingly aware of the possibilities for the technology here. She noted that when Singapore refreshed its National AI Strategy in 2023, it was to establish the Republic as 'a vibrant hub for AI innovations that could have broader impact beyond our shores'. There are signs of a dynamic AI ecosystem taking shape here, said Mrs Teo, who is also Minister-in-charge of Smart Nation and Cybersecurity. She pointed to Lorong AI, established in January as a co-working space for the AI community here. Lorong AI regularly brings together more than 200 AI practitioners from across industry and government to learn together and exchange new ideas, Mrs Teo said. She noted that the space in Cross Street has hosted more than 40 events in the four months since its launch, and continues to host multiple events on a weekly basis. 'These range from hands-on product workshops to technical deep dives that are conducted by our home-grown AI experts, leading global researchers, and industry pioneers such as OpenAI and AWS,' she said. Mrs Teo said promising public-private partnerships are also starting to form out of Lorong AI. One such initiative is exploring the development of a tool to evaluate the reasoning capabilities of large language models – AI systems that are trained on vast amounts of text to understand and generate natural-language responses. January 2026 will also see Singapore host the Association for the Advancement of AI's Conference on Artificial Intelligence, which has traditionally been held in North America, said Mrs Teo. She added that while AI will impact some jobs, it will also create new jobs. Singapore is aiming to triple its pool of AI practitioners from 5,000 to 15,000 over five years through initiatives such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority's (IMDA) TechSkills Accelerator programme. Mrs Teo also announced 19 senior digital leaders across areas such as AI and quantum computing as SG Digital Leaders, an initiative by IMDA to dev elop local digital leaders here. This year's Tech Leaders Awards saw four individuals and four teams recognised for their contributions to digitalisation, innovation and leadership. Clinching the Tech Leader of the Year award was Adjunct Professor Ngiam Kee Yuan, who heads the AI office at the National University Health System health cluster. He developed the Discovery AI and Endeavour AI platforms, which help healthcare institutions to develop, test and deploy AI solutions more effectively. Speaking at the event, Singapore Computer Society president Lim Bee Kwan announced that the society will launch a quantum technologies special interest group in July, to serve as a platform for learning and collaboration for the nascent technology across academia, industry and government. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Local business owners feel negative impact of spider web road construction project
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The two year long road construction project referred to as the Spider Web began last week. Local businesses have already begun feeling the negative benefits of closing Buena Vista road. The Owner of Exhaust Pro Systems, Mike Pair has been at his mechanic shop on Buena Vista and Andrew Road for 26 years. Click the video player below to hear Pair's story. Around the corner, Tony Fraizer, owner of Extreme AutoCare, a collision repair shop, says the closing of Buena Vista is going to deter his clientele as well. Click the video player below to hear Fraizer's story. Both owners are concerned about their next steps. For Pair, he's thinking of retiring early instead of starting from the ground up. For Fraizer, he's worried he may have to change careers to sustain his livelihood. For previous coverage on the Spider Web Construction Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Pair Eyewear drops new colors to complete your spring look
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission. Though they were once thought of as nothing more than a medical device, glasses have come a long way and are now considered a fashionable yet practical accessory. Despite the increasing popularity of contact lenses, many still choose traditional glasses for the flair they add. The days when everyone had the same style of glasses are long gone. Patterned and bold-shaped frames have replaced the plain metal aviators and "serial killer glasses" that were all too common in the 1970s. Pair Eyewear released three new base frame colors that are perfect for adding a pop of color to any outfit this spring. Honey frames With Mocha Mousse named as Pantone's Color of the Year, it's no surprise that neutrals are predicted to be big this spring. Honey is a beautiful translucent amber that brings a subtle pop of warmth. We love The Kirby in Honey—a universally flattering shape meets timeless warm undertones to elevate any outfit. Pair the Honey frame with Champagne Sparkle to make a statement or the Tortoise for an elegant everyday piece. The Kirby in Honey BUY NOW at Pair Eyewear Gray frames If a pop of color isn't your thing, the perfectly cool-toned Grey frame is extremely versatile. Transition from professional to fun in seconds with a simple swap of the top frames. Seven of Pair's best-selling base frames come in gray, but we especially love The Larkin in Grey with the Tahitian Pearlescent top for a glam look. If you're looking for a more polished, put-together vibe, pair it with the Brushed Nickel top. The Larkin in Grey BUY NOW at Pair Eyewear Lavender frames We can't get enough of neutrals paired with a pop of color, and the Lavender Base Frame fits the bill perfectly. The cool-toned lavender looks great on its own and pairs beautifully under any Top Frame as well. The Wanda in Lavender is a flirty, feminine cat-eye that instantly elevates any look. Pair it with the Hydrangea Pearl Tortoise for a cottage-core, watercolor feel or the Magenta Gradient Crystal for a cotton candy, sunrise vibe. The Wanda in Lavender BUY NOW at Pair Eyewear How do interchangeable Top Frames work? Pair offers unparalleled options for customizing your glasses through their magnetized Top Frames. In the past, if you wanted a new look you'd have to shell out hundreds for a brand-new pair of glasses. Base Frames from Pair Eyewear have two small magnets in the top corners that allow the Top Frames to snap on and stay in place. Pair has hundreds of Top Frames, including collabs with Friends, Marvel, and Disney Princesses. Does Pair Eyewear take insurance? Pair Eyewear doesn't directly accept insurance since they're not involved with vision insurance companies, but you might be able to use your vision benefits to get reimbursed. Simply submit your receipt to your insurance company after checking your policy. Pair also accepts FSA/HSA cards when placing an order. However, these can typically only be used for base frames and lenses, as top frames are considered an 'accessory.' Where to buy Pair Eyewear Pair Eyewear is an exclusively online retailer. Shopping for glasses online can be tough, but Pair makes it easy with their Virtual Try-On feature. Just choose the frame and base color you want, grant access to your device's camera, and see a real-time video of yourself wearing the selected glasses. You can change styles, colors, and materials as needed, and even select a top frame to find your perfect look. If you receive your glasses and don't like the fit, you have 30 days to return or exchange.
