Data science and artificial intelligence (DSAI) are altering the digital landscape. We see a rapid transformation across various industries, with machine learning and data science has captured the attention of the world.
As DSAI capabilities become more advanced, organisations need to rethink their operations and equip themselves with the relevant digital acumen.
The ability to turn data into business insights for decision-making while understanding customer intent will allow organisations to stay current and keep pace with technology trends, all of which make organisations more efficient and improve business intelligence.
DSAI has penetrated every part of our daily lives, from using face ID to unlock our phones to the entertainment we consume and our incessant internet searches. It is clear that DSAI will only continue to increase in priority for businesses and governments.
Singapore has recognised the importance of leveraging this technology and has since announced its ten-year US$43.5 billion investment plan for creating a sustainable infrastructure for the future.
DSAI and smart cities
Smart cities have to be intelligent cities. Not only does a smart city refer to the integration of smarter technology into traditional infrastructure, but it also knows how to use the data collected to shape better decisions and provide better services for the inhabitants of the city.
Also Read: How the future of growth through data-driven decisions would start
The key feature of a smart city is one that can intelligently use data, learn from it and work in conjunction with its residents to enhance their lifestyle and improve the livelihoods of the communities.
At Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI), we operationalise DSAI to develop and deploy new products and solutions aimed at advancing businesses and communities amid a rapidly changing landscape.
Republic Cement, one of the Philippines’ leading building materials companies, teamed up with ADI to create an AI tool that predicts cement quality based on historical data.
With this AI-powered solution, Republic Cement was able to optimise its cement manufacturing process, leading to better-managed resources, increased efficiency of raw materials usage, and, most importantly, effectively reducing carbon emissions in the cement manufacturing process by approximately 35,000 tCO2e annually, all while ensuring consistent product quality.
This innovation showed ADI’s capability to operationalise DSAI into impactful solutions to drive better business and environmental outcomes.
Encouraging citizen activism for a smarter future
The ultimate goal for a smart city is to create an urban area that is rooted in the improvement of quality of life, better services, and sustainability for the people. They are demanding a better life and a safer environment for the future.
And an important part of making smart cities a more tangible and attainable reality is active citizen participation. That is why it is important to allow the next generations to familiarise themselves with the idea of smart cities and encourage them to be part of the progress.
ADI’s Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme, in partnership with the Singapore Economic Development Board’s Industrial Post-Graduate Programme II (IPP-II), builds a pool of postgraduate talent with critical R&D skills in preparation for roles in the industry.
ADI’s collaboration with NUS also creates opportunities for research in AI-enabled sustainable systems in areas such as urban design, power utilities, manufacturing, and finance sectors. This enables Singaporeans to learn more about DSAI technologies and their positive impacts on communities and beyond.
Forging partnerships between public and private sectors
Building smart cities take planning, and this is where the government plays a crucial role in implementing and defining the steps towards building a supportive infrastructure and ecosystem.
Also Read: Getting smarter with tech: How will smart cities look like 10 years from now?
According to the 2020/21 Top 50 Smart City Government Report, Singapore ranks at number one in terms of their government’s readiness to develop, facilitate, or track smart city initiatives.
The Smart Nation Programme was also launched in 2014 to drive the national effort to transform Singapore into a Smart Nation.
Moving towards a data-driven future
The exchange of data between sectors is one of the best ways to accelerate technological progress. Both public and private sectors need to work together and understand the role they play in the transformation of a city.
The world of data is complex, and our approach at ADI is to help governments and enterprises rethink the way they harness the power of data through tried and tested frameworks.
We believe that data and AI are valuable resources that can not only help businesses digitise and create new sustainable products and services that bring profit, but they can also make the lives of people better and easier.
With ADI’s advisory solutions, businesses and governments are armed with relevant information and strategic directions to develop and deploy DSAI solutions to enhance the lifestyle and improve the livelihoods of the communities they operate in.
Singapore’s DSAI journey aims to make impactful changes that reap productivity. The vision for a digital-first Singapore is one that effectively transforms the Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Digital Society.
Leaders need to embrace a data-driven mindset, and understanding how to unlock data will be a core skill, one that should be the DNA of creating a smart city. We are continuously progressing towards a time where sustainable data-driven innovations are the key to a smarter and brighter future.
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