Written reply to PQ on Introducing Clear Disclosure Requirements or Labelling Standards to Identify AI-Generated Images on Products or Services

Question

Dr Charlene Chen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (a) whether clear disclosure requirements or labelling standards will be introduced to help consumers, including seniors, identify AI-generated images that make representation about products and services; and (b) how the Ministry plans to strengthen public education on identifying such AI-generated content.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong:

1.       The Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act protects consumers against businesses that make misleading or false claims about their products or services, whether or not they are AI-generated. There are currently no plans to introduce specific disclosure requirements or labelling standards for AI-generated content of products and services.

2.       To support a transparent and trusted digital marketplace, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) has worked with e-commerce platforms and industry players to raise industry standards and promote responsible business conduct in the e-commerce space. This includes the use of AI via enhancements to the Technical Reference 76 industry code on e-commerce transactions. CCS has also released an AI Markets Toolkit to help businesses self-assess and identify fair trading risks arising from the use of AI.

3.       There are also guides to help businesses advertise their products and services responsibly. This includes the Singapore Code of Advertising Practice issued by the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore, which requires all advertisements to be decent, honest and truthful. Just last month, CCS also issued a guide on quality-related claims to help businesses make clear and accurate product claims.

4.       Consumer education and awareness are key to empower the public to make informed decisions. The Infocomm Media Development Authority’s (IMDA) SG Digital Office conducts workshops for seniors on how to stay safe and smart online against AI-generated misinformation. IMDA’s Digital for Life Portal also contains resources on how the public can stay safe against online misinformation and deepfakes, and use AI safely and responsibly.