During the Budget 2026 debate on February 24, MP Henry Kwek advocated for sustainable funding for public media in Singapore, emphasizing its role as both truth and trust infrastructure amid rising AI-generated misinformation. He cited publications like The Straits Times and CNA, asserting that public service media help combat manipulated information. Kwek also stressed the need for a robust tech framework to enhance AI adoption, suggesting partnerships with major tech firms and mandating AI methods in IT contracts, likening this to Building Information Modelling in construction.
He called for government grants to support tech-capable SMEs in adopting AI, noting that trust is vital in a digital economy where AI plays a pivotal role. His concerns were underscored by reports of AI-generated misinformation targeting Singapore, including fake YouTube videos attacking Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and spreading false narratives about political instability and economic collapse. These findings highlighted coordinated efforts behind the misinformation campaign, which used identical scripts and visuals across multiple channels, including AI-generated imagery.
