Singapore is poised to be a 21st century leader in the use of technology by government. Launched in 2014, the country’s Smart Nation initiative brings numerous visions of “smartness” together, highlighting ways that technology can improve the quality and efficiency of public services.
As an urban policy platform, the concept of “smart cities” was originally focused on the mechanics of technology. But more recently, it has been promoted as a pathway to human wellbeing and environmental sustainability. Technology in government can impact daily life in numerous seen and unseen ways, including in transport, healthcare, public safety, and taxation, among many other policy areas. The extended reach and sophistication of Singapore’s technological capabilities is supported in part by widespread infrastructures that monitor physical and environmental conditions.
Aside from these impressive capabilities, the broader pursuit of “smartness” depends on public trust and participation. It also raises questions about privacy, transparency, and equity. Loss of public trust can undermine the effectiveness of such projects. Therefore, Singapore’s Smart Nation vision must involve the public not just as passive beneficiaries but as active participants in shaping visions for the future.
Research that I recently published in the journal “Cities,” co-authored with colleague Austin Aldag of Cornell University, measures trust in smart cities through a broadly representative survey of 1,500 Singapore residents. From this work, we developed three broad recommendations for how the Singaporean government can ensure that smartness creates a future that benefits everyone.
Ensure Trust in Data Privacy and Security
According to our data, two-thirds of respondents trust the technology underlying smart city initiatives, but only one-third are willing to sacrifice some level of privacy for broader policy goals. This modest discrepancy suggests that the public is concerned more about governance than about technology.
A common issue cited in other cases around the world is the massive amount of data collected through advanced technologies like facial recognition. In a wealthy and advanced country like Singapore, where the public is tech savvy, trust in smart initiatives depends in part on user confidence in the protection of personal information. While Singapore is known for its strong legal framework, the prospect of data breaches (such as the 2018 SingHealth breach) and misuse remains a lingering concern.
Several strategies may help improve trust. The government can publicize its efforts to strengthen data protection laws and safeguards against data breaches, promote behaviors among residents about how to better manage their personal data, and provide – where feasible – the choice to opt-in or out of smart services.
Prioritize Public Consultation and Transparency
According to our survey, over half of respondents aspire to provide more input into Singapore’s policies about technology and smart cities, but only one-third feel that their concerns are heard when the government makes related policies.
As the government develops and implements new technologies, consultation should be prioritized at every step of the process. In line with standard policymaking procedures, these steps include defining problems and identifying needs, drafting and prioritizing options, implementing a selected option or options, and evaluating success. There is indeed a place for public input in each of these steps.
Furthermore, transparency is particularly important for issues that impact the security of personal data. The public must understand how data-collection technologies work, the types of data collected, and how these data are used. At a higher level, the public must have enough information to understand inherent trade-offs, including the balance between personal privacy and public service efficiency. Fostering this understanding can proceed through a combination of awareness campaigns and in-person events.
Encourage Active Participation
Finally, smartness is not a top-down endeavor. When people impacted by government technology participate in co-creating visions and solutions, there can be stronger buy-in. Our survey reveals relatively high levels of support (nearly 85 percent) for smart cities as an ideal policy endeavor, and similarly high perceptions (over 70 percent) that smart cities can improve quality-of-life.
The Singapore government should leverage this in-principle support to encourage active participation in smart city ideation and functionality. In our research, we cite avenues for direct participation, including “citizen science” programs, civic hackathons, and “living labs” that involve communities in collaborative innovation. These activities can be facilitated through institutions like universities or civic and charitable organizations.
Soliciting public input and participation should not be seen merely as a way to build support for smart cities. More profoundly, public participation is a fundamental way to maximize public value. Singapore’s ambition to improve quality-of-life complements its goal to be a global exemplar in technology and innovation.
However, for the Smart Nation vision to succeed durably, it needs more than just cutting-edge technology – it needs public trust, transparency, and active participation. By ensuring data security and prioritizing open dialogue, Singapore can foster progress towards a smart nation that serves the interests of all.