million Singapore dollars over the next five years to boosting achieve the Smart Nation’s objectives. Singaporeans seem research into and development of AI (SNDGO, 2018). The AI better predisposed to new technologies than their European Business Partnership program has been created to encourage counterparts are. This facilitates the Smart Nation program’s and facilitate AI adoption in businesses (SNDGO, 2018). implementation, because any program or initiative is more likely The government is also working on ensuring that its digital to work if the population at which it is directed understands it. infrastructure is AI ready, aiming for at least one AI deployment use case before 2023 (SNDGO, 2018). One question remains: Is the centralization of Smart Nation initiatives through governmental agencies a potential issue However, the Singapore government is aware that AI could regarding the usage and development of technologies like AI? bring many ethical and governance issues and is, therefore, anticipating these issues by implementing a pragmatic approach and building a trusted AI ecosystem. In addition, the Advisory Council on the Ethical Use of AI and Data has been set up to promote the responsible development and deployment of AI (SNDGO, 2018). 7.3 ASEAN smart cities network The ASEAN Smart Cities Network (ASCN) represents a collaborative platform for ASEAN member states to work collaboratively to implement smart and sustainable urban development initiatives (SNDGO, 2018). So far, “26 cities from the 10 ASEAN countries have been named pilot cities for this network, including Singapore, Johor Bahru, Phuket, Yangon, Phnom Penh and Vientiane” (SNDGO, 2018). Members’ cities have the option to share their action plans and smart city initiatives. They are all collaborating to create a Digital Data Governance Framework with a view to facilitating the harmonization of data regulation (SNDGO, 2018). This framework could potentially help to reduce compliance costs by minimizing the implementation of various data protection standards across different cities. Lastly, ASCN members have agreed to engage in closer cooperation and coordination over cybersecurity policy development. 8. Conclusion Singapore’s development has been driven by the city-state’s need to overcome the challenges that it has long faced: a lack of natural resources, a high dependence on exports, and a high-density population. Through the Smart Nation program, Singapore aims to use technological devices and innovations to provide solutions that would enhance Singaporeans’ quality of life by ensuring sustainable development and making Singapore an attractive hub for businesses and ex-pats. Singapore is indeed the pioneer in developing the concept of the Smart Nation, in which every government agency plays an active role in promoting and implementing solutions to 160 Quélin and Smadja | HEC PARIS | SMART CITIES | The sustainable program of six leading cities | 2021