Vivian Balakrishnan and Elina Valtonen discussed AI safeguards, foreign policy and international cooperation
Singapore Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, welcomed Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen during her working visit to Singapore, where the two ministers discussed artificial intelligence (AI) governance, digital innovation and bilateral cooperation. Their discussions focused on developing a shared approach to AI, promoting responsible use of advanced technologies and supporting international cooperation to ensure that AI remains under human oversight and control.
Finland has established capabilities in technology, innovation and digitalisation, particularly in telecommunications, computing and AI. These areas provided a basis for discussions on how Singapore and Finland could work together on common approaches to emerging technologies and their governance.
During the meeting, both countries’ support for the recent Joint Declaration, “A Call for Control of Frontier AI Models”, was highlighted. The declaration calls for stronger safeguards, common standards and international cooperation to ensure that advanced AI systems remain subject to human oversight and control.
The two ministers also issued a Joint Statement on Foreign Policy and Cooperation in the Age of AI on the day of the meeting. The statement addressed the relationship between foreign policy and the development of AI, reflecting the shared interest of both countries in responsible technological development.
Singapore and Finland are small, highly digitalised and innovation-driven economies. Both countries have an interest in ensuring that AI is developed and used safely and responsibly, while maintaining the openness and international cooperation necessary for innovation.
The discussions reflected the importance both countries placed on balancing technological progress with appropriate safeguards. As AI capabilities continue to develop, their shared approach seeks to support responsible use while preserving an environment in which innovation can flourish.
The meeting provided an opportunity for Singapore and Finland to exchange views on AI governance and foreign policy cooperation. Through the joint declaration and the newly issued statement, both countries expressed support for international efforts to promote safeguards, common standards and human oversight in the development and use of advanced AI technologies.
Source: Facebook/Vivian Balakrishnan
