Singapore's MAS preps guidelines for ethical use of AI and data analytics

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has brought together industry players to work on guidelines for the "responsible and ethical" use of AI and data analytics in the financial services sector.

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Singapore's MAS preps guidelines for ethical use of AI and data analytics

Editorial

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With banks increasingly turning to AI and data analytics in areas such as customer service and fraud prevention, MAS is looking to establish key principles and best practices.

To do this, the watchdog has set up the Fairness, Ethics, Accountability and Transparency (Feat) committee, co-chaired by MAS chief data officer David Hardoon, who is joined by representatives from, among others, DBS, Allianz, SingTel, SGX and OCBC Bank, which recently set up a dedicated AI lab.

The committee is seeking industry feedback in the second quarter, with the aim of completing a guide that will cover all segments of the financial sector, including fintech firms, by the end of the year.

MAS may be looking to put in place guidance but it has been keen to encourage the use of AI and data analytics, recently offering up a S$27m grant to promote the further use of the technologies in the financial services market.

Says Hardoon: "AI and data analytics have huge potential to transform the financial industry for the better. But these technologies can also potentially be misused.

"MAS looks forward to working with the industry to encourage innovative uses of these technologies while putting in place the right conditions for their ethical use based on the principles of fairness, accountability, and good governance."

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Comments: (4)

Vishwanath Thanalapatti

Vishwanath Thanalapatti Analytics at Temenos

In my view MAS is doing the right thing. The potential of AI and Analytics is immense. Prevention of misuse is more important. More so in the context of recent scandals. FEAT framework reads interesting. 

It is time BCBS too takes a closer look at the newer technologies and its omnipotence, suggest strong governance and guidelines for central banks to have global uniformity.

Chandramoouli Kundagrami

Chandramoouli Kundagrami Senior Industry Principal at EdgeVerve Systems Limited

Ethical use of Data would have its implementation challenges though the idea in itself is right. The usage apparently may be ethical - but who is doing what with the data and what Analytics it is churning out is hard to control. As a principal it is a very nice one and a required one no doubt.

Ketharaman Swaminathan

Ketharaman Swaminathan Founder and CEO at GTM360 Marketing Solutions

AI and Data Analytics are just the enablers - obviously the target is the communications and messaging fueled by them. Keen on knowing if MAS is evolving similar guidelines for "responsible and ethical" use of TV, Newspaper and Billboards in the financial services sector.

Venkataramana Singanallur Ramamurthy

Venkataramana Singanallur Ramamurthy Principal Consultant at Infosys Ltd.

Its a welcome move from MAS for providing a level playing field for all the players in the AI ecosystem. How they define transparency and how consumers disclose the use of data will be interesting to watch.

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