In an effort to fortify Singapore’s digital defense against the rising tide of artificial intelligence-generated misinformation, the National Library Board (NLB) and KPMG have launched “Read To Lead: Building An AI-Ready Mind.” This year-long national initiative aims to equip professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs) with the critical evaluation skills necessary to discern fact from synthetic deception. The launch, held at Asia Square on July 14, arrives at a pivotal moment, responding to a collaborative poll that revealed a concerning gap in the digital literacy of the local workforce.
The urgency for this initiative stems from a survey of 1,150 Singaporean PMETs, which exposed that only 40% feel confident in their ability to distinguish between AI-generated misinformation and verified truth. Perhaps more alarming is the finding that a mere two in five respondents prioritize verifying the sources of statistics cited in AI-generated summaries before forming their own opinions. Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Rahayu Mahzam, highlighted these figures as a stark reminder that Singaporeans—even those aware of the risks—often consume content with insufficient rigor.
To address this, the campaign seeks to foster a culture of reading that goes beyond mere information consumption, emphasizing mental focus and critical reflection. During the launch, participants were encouraged to engage with a “mystery book” campaign, symbolizing the act of slowing down to absorb content deeply. Rahayu stressed that reading serves as a vital tool to counteract the sensation of being overwhelmed by modern information flow, providing the necessary cognitive space to gain perspective and train the mind to focus amidst the rapid pace of digital life.
Experts contributing to the initiative emphasize that the solution lies in active, investigative reading rather than passive absorption. Warren Fernandez, editor of RSIS Publications, argued that individuals must “interrogate” the source and author of the information they consume to avoid becoming mere vessels for AI-curated narratives. He noted that while AI can efficiently aggregate data, it lacks the capacity to determine belief or value, tasks that remain distinctly human. By reflecting on how new information connects to personal experience, readers can maintain their intellectual autonomy and resist the homogenization of thought.
Furthermore, the initiative warns against the dangers of informational “echo chambers,” a risk amplified by AI models that increasingly feed on their own output. Gerry Chng, partner and head of cyber at KPMG, cautioned that this cycle threatens to perpetuate biases, generalizations, and errors across generations of technology. To combat this, he advocated for reading broadly across disparate domains, urging professionals to deliberately break out of their usual comfort zones. Diversifying one’s input is a vital strategy to ensure that human perspectives remain distinct from the flattening influence of automated algorithms.
Looking ahead, the collaboration between the NLB and KPMG will expand to include an educational toolkit designed for businesses, alongside expert-led talks at various library branches. Minister Rahayu emphasized that as organizations integrate AI, the primary focus must shift from pure efficiency to the cultivation of human cognition, self-management, and adaptability. By investing in these foundational skills, the initiative hopes to spark a broader movement across the corporate sector, ensuring that Singapore’s workforce is not just AI-literate, but capable of thriving in an era where critical thinking is the ultimate competitive advantage.
