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On THE (Times Higher Education) Connect podcast, Professor Tulika Mitra, Dean of NUS Computing and Associate Professor Suranga Nanayakkara discussed how SoC is adapting its education and research agenda for an AI-enabled world - while keeping computing fundamentals at the core. They outlined how the refreshed curriculum builds “AI-native” capabilities (including exposure to LLMs, system design and AI safety), with AI ethics as a compulsory component for all computing students, alongside new and upcoming AI-focused programmes.
The conversation also highlighted SoC’s commitment to interdisciplinary, human-centred research through platforms such as the NUS Artificial Intelligence Institute, and partnerships with government and industry to ensure AI innovation remains socially responsible. Both speakers emphasised lifelong learning through stackable, modular pathways, and the School’s goal of developing graduates who pair technical excellence with ethics, empathy and adaptability.
Professor Ng Hwee Tou from NUS Computing shared his expert perspectives in CGTN's (China Global Television Network) Asia Today segment on Singapore's AI pivot, which focuses on the country's efforts to upgrade AI models for local languages using Alibaba's Qwen3.
He explained why effective translation in multilingual contexts must go beyond word-for-word conversion to capture meaning, cultural references, and local expressions. His commentary was provided in the context of Qwen3's ability to support 119 languages and dialects, highlighting how multilingual AI models are designed to better handle linguistic nuance compared to many Western systems.
On The Business Times' Thrive, Associate Professor Sharon Tan, contributed insights to an article examining whether a tech degree remains valuable in an AI-driven economy. She highlighted that strong computing fundamentals remain essential, even – and especially – in an age of AI. While AI can automate routine tasks, it cannot replace the human judgement, creativity, and critical thinking needed to design reliable, responsible, and impactful systems. Graduates who pair deep technical grounding with the ability to work confidently and thoughtfully with AI will continue to stand out in a fast-evolving industry.
On 8world (Channel 8 News), Professor Anthony Tung from NUS Computing provided expert insights in a segment examining regional scam syndicates in Myanmar and Cambodia, and the role of satellite-based technologies in enabling their operations. He explained how SpaceX’s Starlink allows fraud groups to stay connected despite network restrictions, noting that satellite communication services operate independently of geographical boundaries — similar to Wi-Fi on aircraft and ships.
He added that even if neighbouring countries such as Thailand impose internet blocks on fraud hubs, these measures cannot disrupt Starlink’s satellite connectivity. The report also highlighted that following the raid on the KK complex, SpaceX disconnected more than 2,500 Starlink devices used by fraud centres in Myanmar.
Professor Tung also outlined other communication methods scam syndicates might exploit. “Essentially, they can use any device that enables internet access. For example, they could purchase roaming services in Singapore to connect. If you have a Singapore number, people may be more inclined to trust you,” he said.
On Good Tech (Money FM Afternoon Show), Associate Professor Suranga Nanayakkara, Co-founder of AiSee from the Department of Information Systems & Analytics at NUS Computing, shared how AiSee—an AI-powered wearable described as a “visual companion”—is transforming accessibility for people with visual impairments.
Even simple tasks like picking the right carton of milk at the supermarket can pose significant challenges, but AiSee helps users better connect with the world around them. Innovations like AiSee not only enhance daily life for people with visual impairments, but could also pave the way for more inclusive innovation in Singapore and beyond.
On Channel 8’s Frontline, Prof Anthony Tung, AI Lead for Urban Sustainability at the NUS AI Institute in Singapore, highlighted that while AI can be a powerful tool, it inevitably comes with a margin of error and requires verification. For instance, although many believe AI can be relied on for coding and programming, mistakes often occur. Over-reliance on AI without proper oversight could disrupt company operations, which is why organisations still need professionals to review outputs and ensure programmes function correctly. Otherwise, such errors could result in wasted time and resources.
Assoc Prof Terence Sim from NUS’s School of Computing highlights the challenges posed by AI-generated voice fraud. He notes that the Singaporean accent can be harder to clone, as most AI models are trained on American or British accents. While skills such as spotting hissing, mismatched background sounds, or abrupt transitions in speech can help detect deepfake voices, he cautions that these methods are not foolproof as voice cloning technology continues to advance.
Singapore’s government is helping businesses harness AI to boost efficiency and competitiveness. Prof Anthony Tung, AI Lead for Urban Sustainability at the NUS AI Institute in Singapore, highlighted that this support is especially crucial for small and medium-sized enterprises, which face challenges such as high AI talent costs, data acquisition for model training, and energy consumption.
He expressed optimism about AI’s potential, noting that while people currently use AI to solve existing problems, future students equipped with AI tools could tackle challenges never imagined before. Prof Tung also emphasised that alongside technical skills, nurturing human qualities—imagination, creativity, values, and purpose—is essential, as these remain irreplaceable by machines.
Social media apps are built to keep you scrolling, and that’s not an easy habit to break. But what if there’s an app specially designed to help you spend your free time more intentionally and meaningfully? On Good Tech, Lynlee Foo speaks to Sindhu Mohan (NUS BBA alumna, 2025) and Vishnu Sundaresan (NUS Computer Science alumnus, 2024), Co-Founders of Snowball to learn more about a very different kind of social media that rewards you for living more offline.
Dr Li Xiaofan, Assistant Professor at NUS researching cryptocurrency and cybersecurity, highlights the challenges of the crypto sector despite its technological potential. He notes that while some use cases exist, rampant speculation and short-term profit motives often overshadow genuine technological development.
Reflecting on past experiences, Dr Li observes that many students drawn to crypto careers are initially excited to work on systems and innovation, only to find that client acquisition and financial gains take precedence. He also points out that the lack of global regulations and the allure of quick returns—exemplified by the 2017 ICO boom—can hinder the industry’s long-term development.
Dr Li’s insights underscore the importance of informed engagement with crypto, balancing enthusiasm with critical awareness.