SG launches new measures to strengthen AI, data protection

The  Global AI Assurance Sandbox will help organisations test AI systems safely.

Singapore has introduced three major initiatives to boost trust in artificial intelligence (AI) and data protection.

The initiatives, announced by  Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo at the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Summit 2025, include the Global AI Assurance Sandbox, a new Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs) Adoption Guide, and the elevation of the Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) to a national standard.

The expanded Global AI Assurance Sandbox will help organisations test AI systems safely. It includes new AI types such as agentic AI and addresses risks like data leakage and prompt injection.

Additionally, it provides tools and a secure environment for companies to trial AI applications.

Regulators can also use the Sandbox to refine governance and testing frameworks. The Sandbox will use IMDA’s Starter Kit for Safety Testing of Large Language Model (LLM)-based applications to standardise AI testing.

The PETs Adoption Guide, developed by IMDA and the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), helps businesses adopt privacy-preserving technologies.  
It builds on the 2022 PET Sandbox and includes two tools: a Use Case Evaluation Tool to help companies choose suitable PETs, and an Implementation Checklist to support deployment.

The guide will be updated regularly based on new use cases and industry feedback.

Meanwhile, DPTM has been upgraded to a national standard, Singapore Standard SS 714:2025. This new certification sets clearer requirements for data protection, including third-party management and overseas data transfers.

Certified companies will follow a streamlined process and deal directly with their assessment bodies.

The Singapore Accreditation Council will oversee the certification process to ensure global standards are met.

These initiatives were announced during PDP Week 2025, which brings together over 2,000 global experts to discuss data protection and digital innovation.

This year’s theme, “Data Protection in a Changing World,” reflects Singapore’s commitment to advancing safe and accountable technology use.