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Singapore: AI takes the spotlight in the healthcare industry as Singapore focuses efforts on AI deployment

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In brief

The Singapore government has once again recognised the importance of AI in the healthcare industry, outlining a three-pronged approach on how to harness the potential of AI in the industry. 

In the long-run, the increasing use of AI would serve to deliver better diagnosis and treatment; early detection, prevention and prediction of diseases; faster drug development; and better understand the risks around intervention and how to stratify it. In the shorter term, the use of AI may help to enhance clinical decision support; increase productivity of healthcare teams; and support individuals.

In more detail

During the second edition of the AI Health Summit 2023, Dr. Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State of the Ministry of Health, delivered a speech concerning the use of AI in the healthcare industry.

Dr. Puthucheary recognised that by embracing and adopting AI in the healthcare sector, it can facilitate better diagnosis and treatment, help with early detection and prevention of diseases, and enhance drug development processes.

To increase the productivity of the healthcare sector and benefit patients, Singapore is adopting a three-pronged approach towards the use of AI:

  1. The development of enablers and common platforms to facilitate collaboration and allow easy deployment of AI models across different institutions; 
  2.  Working with partners to better equip healthcare professionals with skills to employ AI in their work; and 
  3. Embracing new AI technologies, such as generative AI, in a safe and secure manner to benefit patients.

One development relating to developing enablers is the implementation of common platforms for AI deployment around a variety of sites. One such platform is the AI Medical Imaging Platform for Singapore Public Healthcare (AimSG), launched by Synpaxe, Singapore’s national healthtech agency, and Singhealth, Singapore’s largest group of healthcare institutions.

To equip healthcare professionals with relevant skills, SingHealth and AI Singapore, Singapore’s national programme to boost AI capability, has signed a memorandum of understanding where healthcare professionals will receive AI training and qualification catered to the industry. There will be joint research and innovation projects to facilitate the sharing of knowledge. The education videos are scheduled to begin in June 2024, and include both e-learning programmes and physical workshops.

Once again, the Singapore government has stressed the risks that may accompany the use of AI. Synpaxe is working with industry partners to build generative AI applications with built-in data security safeguards to ensure the integrity of patient data even as AI is being applied to streamline healthcare processes.

Key takeaways

The Singapore government’s positioning indicates opportunities in the industry for the development and deployment of AI. Companies looking to venture into the AI and/or healthtech space should be mindful of the applicable regulations and guidelines to the deployment of AI in health products and/or services.

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Andy Leck is the head of the Intellectual Property and Technology (IPTech) Practice Group and a member of the Dispute Resolution Practice Group in Singapore. He is a core member of Baker McKenzie's regional IP practice and also leads the Myanmar IP Practice Group. Andy is recognised by reputable global industry and legal publications as a leader in his field. He was named on "The A-List: Singapore's Top 100 lawyers" by Asia Business Law Journal 2018. In addition, Chambers Asia Pacific notes that Andy is "a well-known IP practitioner who is highlighted for his record of handling major trade mark litigation, as well as commercial exploitation of IP rights in the media and technology sectors. He's been in the industry for a long time and has always been held in high regard. He is known to be very fair and is someone you would like to be in the trenches with you during negotiations." Furthermore, Asian Legal Business acknowledges Andy as a leading practitioner in his field and notes that he “always gives good, quick advice, [is] client-focused and has strong technical knowledge for his areas of practice.” Andy was appointed by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) as an IP Adjudicator to hear disputes at IPOS for a two-year term from April 2021. He has been an appointed member of the Singapore Copyright Tribunal since May 2010 and a mediator with the WIPO Arbitration and Mediation Center. He is also appointed as a Notary Public & Commissioner for Oaths in Singapore. He previously served on the International Trademark Association’s Board of Directors and was a member of the executive committee.

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Ren Jun Lim is a principal with Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow. He represents local and international clients in both contentious and non-contentious intellectual property matters. He also advises on a full range of healthcare, as well as consumer goods-related legal and regulatory issues. Ren Jun co-leads Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow's Healthcare as well as Consumer Goods & Retail industry groups. He sits on the Law Society of Singapore IP Committee and on the Executive Committee of the Association of Information Security Professionals. He is also a member of the Vaccines Working Group, Singapore Association of Pharmaceutical Industries, a member of the International Trademark Association, as well as a member of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Association. Ren Jun is ranked in the Silver tier for Individuals: Enforcement and Litigation and Individuals: Prosecution and Strategy, and a recommended lawyer for Individuals: Transactions by WTR 1000, 2020. He is also listed in Asia IP's Best 50 IP Expert, 2020, recognised as a Rising Star by Managing IP: IP Stars, 2019 and one of Singapore's 70 most influential lawyers aged 40 and under by Singapore Business Review, 2016. Ren Jun was acknowledged by WTR 1000 as a "trademark connoisseur who boasts supplementary knowledge of regulatory issues in the consumer products industry." He was also commended by clients for being "very responsive to enquiries and with a keen eye for detail, he is extremely hands-on. His meticulous and in-depth approach to strategising is key to the excellent outcomes we enjoy."

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