Singapore's Enterprise Singapore has unveiled a roadmap focusing on AI standardization by 2035, aiming to enhance global compliance and innovation.
Enterprise Singapore, the government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry, has launched its Standards and Conformance 2035 roadmap, focusing on integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into standardization and compliance assessment.
As part of this initiative, the agency has signed five memorandums with various international and regional partners to advance collaboration in areas such as AI, quantum technologies, and carbon credits.
The roadmap aims to bolster Singapore's position in the development of global standards, enhancing the country's credibility in technology certification and validation prior to widespread implementation. A key element is the proactive development of standards in AI, allowing for the establishment of frameworks ahead of international regulations.
Framework Overview
The roadmap is structured around three foundational pillars:
- Facilitating growth through the early adoption of standards;
- Creating a robust ecosystem for testing, inspection, and certification;
- Enhancing Singapore's influence within both regional and global standards networks.
The strategy emphasizes the integration of standards into products and services from the outset, rather than retroactively aligning with them. Key focus areas include AI, precision medicine, clean energy, and offshore wind energy, particularly in sectors where regulations are still evolving.
EnterpriseSG intends to implement regulatory sandboxes to trial innovative approaches before formal regulations are set, while also enhancing local skills in testing and certification.
“Standards and compliance assessment are not just about meeting requirements; they are a strategic lever for growth,” said Choi Sau Kook, CEO of the Quality and Excellence Group at EnterpriseSG. “With the S&C 2035 roadmap, we are accelerating the early adoption of standards by Singaporean businesses, helping companies innovate faster and enter global markets more easily.”
International Collaborations
EnterpriseSG's five memorandums include a multilateral agreement with the British Standards Institution and others aimed at aligning the rapid advancements in AI with standard-setting processes. An additional memorandum with the American National Standards Institute will focus on critical technologies, including AI and quantum advancements.
Further agreements with Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Indonesia will work towards enhancing regional capabilities in AI standards and compliance.
Additionally, partnerships with the Gold Standard Foundation and Verra will seek to improve sustainability verification frameworks for carbon projects.
Advancements in AI Standards
On April 20, 2026, Singapore proposed the ISO/IEC 42119-8 standard, aimed at standardizing testing methodologies for generative AI systems, marking a significant milestone in international standardization efforts.
Earlier initiatives included the release of a Starter Kit for Testing LLM-Based Applications for Safety and Reliability by IMDA and the AI Verify Foundation, which outlines voluntary testing recommendations and identifies key risks such as bias and data leaks.
The AI Verify Foundation also introduced a program for accrediting AI testers, establishing standards for third-party evaluations of generative AI applications.
Notably, in 2024, the European Parliament enacted the EU Artificial Intelligence Regulation, prompting discussions on its impact within the industry at events like the Privacy Day 2024 conference.
