Singapore has established itself as a global benchmark in the development of smart cities, one of the main lines of research of the BISITE Group. This week I had the opportunity to have a fruitful meeting with Liana Tang, Second Director of the Digital Strategy Office of the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) of Singapore. The meeting took place at the facilities of the BISITE Research Group of the University of Salamanca and was a singular opportunity to join forces and share knowledge in the cutting-edge areas that are transforming our society.
During Liana Tang’s visit we analysed how generative Artificial Intelligence can play a crucial role in the optimisation of urban infrastructures, traffic management, sustainability and other aspects that make a city more liveable and efficient. Similarly, we explored the impact of generative AI in healthcare. Concepts such as the virtual hospital, personalised medicine and home hospitalisation were topics of discussion as generative AI has the potential to revolutionise these fields, offering more efficient and personalised solutions. In addition, we addressed the transformative role of AI in education and its ability to contribute to the training of young talent and, especially, to the attraction of women to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) careers.
The meeting was also an opportunity to present and discuss the Ibero-Asian Blockchain Ring project. The centres will form an Ibero-Asian Ring on Blockchain for Cybersecurity. Furthermore, the involvement of additional national and international research centres, universities and companies will be sought to maximise the impact and scope of this initiative, thus strengthening cybersecurity capabilities at a national and global level.
This meeting has been a significant step towards the collaboration and exchange of ideas that can lead to disruptive innovations in these fields, so we are excited by the possibilities it opens up and grateful for the opportunity to dialogue on these crucial issues.
The University of Salamanca looks to Asia, aware of the multiple possibilities that are opening up. In the last few days, the University has hosted the 5th ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS5), under the slogan “Leadership in Society 5.0”, a programme aimed at young Asians and Europeans that brings together students and young professionals from both continents with the aim of learning, networking and exchanging experiences, and also connects them with public officials and leaders from Asia and Europe. The Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) programme, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Casa Asia and the University of Salamanca, has brought together 120 European and Asian participants, aged between 18 and 30, the future leaders.
I would like to thank Liana Tang, who visited the BISITE Group laboratories in the framework of this summit, and Professor David Doncel for their efforts. I am sure that in a short time we will speak more about Singapore and new collaborations.
