Apart from IMDA’s advisory, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the Monetary Authority of Singapore has also met with the chief executives of some financial institutions to underscore the importance of cyber risks.
The Cyber Security Agency (CSA) has also issued an alert to sector leads and critical information infrastructure (CII) operators to tighten cyber hygiene measures and put in place longer-term mitigation measures.
"The government has sensitised the various stakeholders. And of course, the government itself is also taking steps," he said.
Mr Shanmugam said that this is a "whole-of-country" effort.
"They are building and experimenting with our own AI tools for cyber defence. We are also using tools that are already openly available, and we are working closely with industry partners to keep pace," he added.
The government will have to monitor all CII sectors, and those with internet-facing systems are the most exposed, Mr Shanmugam said.
Asked if the government will convene a taskforce to address AI cybersecurity threats, Mr Shanmugam said there has been focus on the issue for some time already.
He said cybersecurity efforts are overseen at multiple levels, with Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo as overall-in-charge.
Mr Shanmugam said that a permanent secretary is also coordinating the work across agencies, which CNA understands to be Permanent Secretary of Digital Development and Information Chng Kai Fong.
Asked how the technology should be regarded by the public, given that the government is encouraging its use while also stating that it is a security threat, Mr Shanmugam replied: "Would you say we can slow down on the adoption of AI? That makes no sense, right? That will make us less competitive and even more vulnerable."
"We have to do two things in parallel," he said. "First, we have to become better in defending ourselves against AI threats. Second, we must ourselves become experts at using AI for our own purposes."
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