All CS in the Media
2 June 2026
Professor Anthony Tung from the Department of Computer Science was featured on CNA's Singapore Tonight live segment, speaking on the AI bubble emerging in manufacturing and the broader cost of deployment without accountability.
Prof Tung identified three patterns of waste in current AI deployment: near-identical foundation models competing within narrow benchmark margins; AI-for-science programmes built on survivorship bias; and AI assistants handed to individual employees for tasks that never aggregate into organisational value.
The root cause, he said, is the absence of AI Deployment Science – a discipline for evaluating return on investment before resources are committed. Without it, capital follows fashion.
"A company of 10,000 people asking the same question 10,000 times is not a learning organisation. It is a forgetting one."
He proposed AI Prudence as the remedy: before every deployment, ask where the value is, how it will be measured, and whether an existing capability could already do it better.
CNA, Singapore Tonight (26 May 2026)
24 April 2026
Professor Anthony Tung from the Department of Computer Science was featured on Channel 8 News' Focus programme, providing expert analysis on the rise of AI-generated misinformation targeting Singapore.
Prof Tung explained how deepfake videos can now be produced quickly and cheaply through an automated pipeline – from script generation using language models, to voice synthesis, video creation, and editing. He also discussed the challenges platforms face in detecting and moderating such content.
26 March 2026
CNA spoke to experts on the growing risks of telco service disruptions following a series of Singtel outages last week, with Professor Anthony Tung from the Department of Computer Science weighing in on what operators can do better, and why the stakes extend well beyond dropped calls.
Prof Tung called for stronger real-time monitoring and earlier detection systems, including AI tools where appropriate.
"Operators need earlier warning signs. Better real-time monitoring and anomaly detection, including AI tools where useful, can help spot unusual behaviour before it becomes a larger disruption," he said.
On the wider impact of outages, Prof Tung was direct. Many people now rely on mobile networks as their primary means of accessing the internet – for payments, transport, work, and everyday services. A disruption, he noted, can quickly render much of daily life inaccessible, even if the broader internet remains technically functional.
"That is why an outage can quickly disrupt daily life and business activities. It is also a reminder that important services and organisations should not rely on a single access channel, but should have fallback options in place."
His broader point was structural: telcos should be treated as a core part of national resilience, not just from a cybersecurity standpoint, but operationally. As high-concentration infrastructure serving consumers, enterprises, and critical services simultaneously, the risks and consequences of failure are, by nature, highly concentrated.
25 March 2026
Associate Professor Ooi Wei Tsang from the Department of Computer Science was featured in a report by The Business Times on the rapid uptake of new open-source AI agent OpenClaw and the risks it raises for enterprise use.
The article looks at how tools like OpenClaw can carry out multi-step tasks with minimal human input, allowing users to automate workflows quickly. However, this ease of use also means such tools may be deployed without proper oversight or safeguards.
A/Prof Ooi cautioned that using these systems without appropriate controls can expose organisations to significant risks.
He likened it to “hiring an intern who blindly obeys instructions, while still giving them deep access to enterprise system, and allowing external parties to send instructions directly.”
A/Prof Ooi added that large language models can produce incorrect or misleading instructions, which may lead to unintended or harmful actions when executed by autonomous systems.
The report highlights growing concerns around “shadow AI”, where such tools are used outside formal IT governance, and the need for stronger safeguards including validation, human oversight and secure system design.
23 March 2026
The Edge Singapore spoke to business leaders, investors, and academics on Singapore's multibillion-dollar push to harness AI – from national policy and workforce reskilling to what it means for local companies and startups.
Associate Professor Ben Leong from the Department of Computer Science offered a grounded take on where Singapore stands in the global AI race. Rather than competing head-on with the United States – the world's dominant technology powerhouse for the past two decades – he argued that Singapore's edge lies in finding the right niches.
"That's not to say that we shouldn't care. We don't have a choice. It is not possible for us to be Number One or Number Two in AI. Despite this situation, what can we do? Give up? That cannot be right. So we try to find niches that make sense for us."
On the productivity gains AI has delivered so far, Assoc Prof Leong was measured. While AI has meaningfully lifted output, the benefits are not uniform, and the pace of change may be slower than the hype suggests.
"The reality is that AI has somewhat increased productivity, about 20% to 30%. It's not massive, but there are some productivity gains. But if you ask me, will AI change everything? Not really or perhaps not so fast."
His sharpest observation, though, was about people rather than technology. Ultimately, he noted, how quickly a company adopts AI comes down to management decisions, and the willingness to change behaviour.
"Adoption of AI is not a tech problem. It's a human problem where you are trying to change behaviour."
4 March 2026
Channel 8's current affairs programme, Hello Singapore, featured Professor Anthony Tung from the Department of Computer Science in a panel discussion on how Singapore can hold its ground in the age of AI – alongside Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and Education, Jasmin Lau, and a media professional.
On the most essential AI skill, Prof Tung kept it simple: Learn to ask better questions. Where most of us are trained to find answers, he argued that the real shift is learning to prompt, to engage AI in a genuine dialogue.
"You can ask AI to introduce 10 useful prompts for your personal use. AI can then customise a learning plan for you – learn to have a dialogue with it, as if it were a real teacher."
Asked which AI initiative Singaporeans should pay closest attention to, Prof Tung pointed to Singapore's AI Mission. His reasoning was that progress with AI is not about speed, but about direction.
"Learning or using AI isn't about being slow – it's about not standing still. Set a goal, and keep moving forward."
On raising kids in the era of AI, Prof Tung drew on classical Chinese philosophy to make his point. He invoked the Zhuangzi principle of 物物而不物于物 – that one should master things, not be mastered by them. In his view, the humanities are not a retreat from technology; they are its counterweight. "AI is a tool. We set goals, let it work for us, and don't let it replace us." That is why, he added, he places emphasis on culture, philosophy, and human thinking in his daughter's upbringing – qualities that remain stubbornly beyond what any algorithm can replicate.
For students anxious about graduating into an AI-transformed job market, his counsel was steadying: cultivate curiosity, not anxiety.
"You set a goal, enjoy the process, and have an experience of self-driven growth. When a new challenge comes, it's a chance to learn something new."
13 February 2026
Lianhe Zaobao reported on the Government’s AI initiatives announced in Budget 2026, including the establishment of a National AI Council chaired by the Prime Minister and the prioritisation of four sectors for AI transformation.
Professor Anthony Tung from the Department of Computer Science noted that AI has moved beyond the remit of individual agencies and now requires coordinated, high-level alignment across sectors.
"AI has already gone beyond individual institutions. Policy planning and resource allocation need to be coordinated at a high level, covering areas such as economic structure, employment patterns, social governance, public services, and national security."
The article highlighted four priority areas – advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance, and healthcare – for early AI transformation. Prof Tung explained why sector-specific systems are essential:
"Advanced manufacturing is an important pillar of Singapore’s economy. What is needed are precise and stable systems, not general-purpose AI models."
13 February 2026
Professor Anthony Tung was featured in a Channel 8 News explainer segment on advanced persistent threats (APT), following reports of a hacking group targeting Singapore’s telecommunications systems.
Professor Tung explained how APT actors differ from conventional cyberattacks:
"If conventional cyberattacks are like bandits who break in and leave after taking what they can, an APT is more like an undercover agent. Its goal isn't immediate theft, but intelligence-gathering – quietly collecting sensitive data and remaining embedded for as long as possible, gaining progressively deeper access within the system."
He noted that telecommunications networks function as a central connective infrastructure, with banking systems, transport networks, and AI-enabled services all dependent on communications connectivity.
"Telecommunications networks are a central system – information flows through them. If they are compromised, it affects efficiency and potentially critical services."
Prof Tung also highlighted Singapore’s role as a regional aviation and maritime hub, underscoring why such infrastructure may be attractive targets. He emphasised the importance of maintaining resilient systems that are monitorable, isolatable, and recoverable – ensuring incidents can be contained, restored, and strengthened against future threats.
12 February 2026
Associate Professor Kan Min-Yen from the Department of Computer Science at NUS Computing was quoted in a Science Magazine, feature examining a new open-source AI system designed to answer complex scientific questions with a high degree of accuracy.
Associate Professor Kan commented on both the promise and risks of using such tools in scientific work, cautioning that researchers must carefully judge how much to trust AI-generated answers, particularly when they are used as substitutes for primary sources.
"If you're using these tools to [substitute] for the primary sources, that can be dangerous because there could be nuances that are lost.," he said. While such tools may be more acceptable in fast-moving fields like AI — where they can help researchers keep pace with rapidly expanding literature — Associate Professor Kan noted that greater caution is required in domains such as psychiatry, where patients' health is at stake.
The article discussed how the open-source system was evaluated against both human experts and leading proprietary AI models, and how it performed strongly on tasks requiring cross-paper reasoning and literature synthesis. Associate Prof Kan noted that while these systems show promise in supporting scientific research, they should be viewed as tools that augment — rather than replace — human expertise and critical judgment.
6 February 2026
Professor Anthony Tung from the Department of Computer Science at NUS Computing was featured in a Lianhe Zaobao report examining the growing spread of AI-generated fake videos and their potential impact on public trust and political discourse.
The report highlighted how advances in generative AI have lowered the cost and effort required to produce highly convincing misinformation, including fabricated videos that combine synthetic scripts, voices, and visuals. Such content, often designed to provoke emotional reactions, can spread rapidly on social media platforms and distort public understanding.
Professor Tung noted that heightened attention around recent political developments naturally drives engagement with such content, particularly among audiences with anti-establishment leanings. He added that Singapore’s high educational attainment means most citizens are able to exercise discernment when encountering sensational or implausible claims.
Beyond monetising online traffic, Professor cautioned that some videos may conceal deceptive schemes, using fabricated news narratives to promote products or services in ways that are difficult to guard against. He observed that regulating such content remains challenging, and suggested that one of the most effective responses may be to “counter AI with AI” — drawing parallels to how spam emails are filtered rather than prevented.
The report also noted that Singapore’s relatively high media literacy provides some resilience, but warned that misinformation may also be used to mask scams or malicious links. Overall, the report emphasised the importance of public awareness, media literacy, and the development of tools to help detect AI-generated misinformation, as synthetic media becomes increasingly sophisticated.
5 February 2026
Associate Professor Suranga Nanayakkara from NUS Computing was featured in The Straits Times for his work on an AI-powered wearable headset developed by an NUS research team led by him, aimed at supporting independent navigation and daily activities for persons who are visually impaired.
The article highlighted the experience of Madam Teresa Ng, who shared how the headset could help her commute, shop, and navigate public spaces with greater confidence and independence, reducing the need to rely on assistance from others.
"It could tell me the price, size, colour, and even describe the kin of occasion each outfit is suitable for – very useful. Sometimes when I go grocery shopping, I have to ask the promoters for help and later feel obligated to buy from them. But with AiSee, I won't have to trouble anyone."
The wearable headset, AiSee, uses AI to interpret the surrounding environment and provide real-time audio guidance, helping users navigate public transport, avoid obstacles, and move safely through complex everyday settings. The system is designed to improve mobility and autonomy while preserving users' dignity.
A/Prof Nanayakkara explained that the project was developed with a strong human-centred focus, emphasising usability, real-world impact and close collaboration with visually impaired users to ensure the technology addresses practical needs rather than laboratory assumptions.
Funded by the Enabling Lives Initiative (ELI) Grant in November 2025, the team is enhancing the AiSee software with onboard object detection, navigation, expert guidance, scene sonification, and task-based functionalities, including pilot testing at the Singapore Botanic Gardens to guide users on curated tours. The ELI Grant, funded by Tote Board and managed by SG Enable, is a strategic fund that catalyses and supports innovations to improve the independence and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
This coverage highlighted the potential of assistive AI to enhance inclusion and accessibility, while recognising the importance of careful design, testing and deployment in complex real-world environments.
13 January 2026
Associate Professor Harold Soh from NUS Computing provided expert perspectives in CNA's report that examined whether automation and robotics can help address manpower shortages in Singapore's food centres.
Commenting on trials such as a self-cleaning table prototype at NTU, A/Prof Soh described food courts as a particularly challenging environment for robots.
"Effective cleaning in such a space requires both physical intelligence (dexterous hands, balance) and social intellligence (knowing when to move, stop, and how not to annoy or injure customers), he said. "Robots today struggle with both."
A/Prof Soh added that while robots can perform impressive feats in controlled settings, they continue to struggle with everyday tasks such as handling irregular food waste, managing spills, and operating safely in dynamic, crowded public environments. Integrating perception, prediction, planning and human-aware interaction remains an unsolved challenge outside the labs.
The report highlighted that while automation may assist with routine tasks, human cleaners and supervision remains essential, emphasising the technology alone is not a simple solution to labour constraints in food centres.