Indranee Rajah has emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) can help reduce social and economic inequality — but only if it is rolled out ethically and made accessible to everyone, particularly lower-income families.

Speaking in the context of Singapore’s latest Budget, she stressed that without careful implementation, AI could instead widen existing gaps.

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National AI Initiatives in Singapore’s Budget

Singapore’s 2026 Budget includes several initiatives aimed at using AI to empower citizens across different income levels:

• National AI Missions targeting strategic sectors for innovation
• A National AI Council chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to coordinate AI policies
• Free AI tools for workers who complete SkillsFuture courses, enabling upskilling and job readiness

The goal is to ensure that AI is not just a tool for large companies but also benefits workers and small businesses, helping to level the playing field.

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Supporting Lower-Income Families

Alongside AI initiatives, the Budget reinforces support for lower-income families to bridge income and wealth gaps:

• Enhanced ComLink+ programs
• Increased pre-school subsidies
• Other social support measures to improve access to education, technology, and career opportunities

These policies reflect a broader approach of combining technological advancement with social equity.

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Ethical and Inclusive AI

Indranee Rajah highlighted that AI must be implemented responsibly, with emphasis on:

• Transparency in algorithms and decision-making
• Fair access across income and social groups
• Avoiding bias that could disadvantage vulnerable populations

She argued that AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for social mobility, helping families gain better education, jobs, and economic security.

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Looking Ahead

Singapore’s AI and social equity strategies illustrate how governments can use technology as a lever for inclusion. By combining AI adoption with programs that support lower-income families, the country aims to:

• Prepare its workforce for a tech-driven economy
• Ensure that technological progress benefits all segments of society
• Prevent AI from becoming a driver of inequality

The coming years will show whether these measures succeed in making AI a force for equality rather than division.