July 9, 2024
SINGAPORE – An artificial intelligence (AI) interest group in Kebun Baru aims to promote knowledge of the technology among the community and how to use it.
The group, called Good Robot, will collaborate with organisations such as AI Singapore to hold outreach programmes and talks “so that we can all future-proof our careers in the face of AI”, said Kebun Baru MP Henry Kwek at the constituency’s family day on July 7.
“At the core of Good Robot are a group of volunteers, including myself, who will level ourselves up with knowledge of AI, so that we can apply AI for community service,” he said at the event held at Kebun Baru Community Club.
For example, the group could create a volunteer management system for the astronomy interest group to help with organising stargazing events, he said.
Mr Tan Wai Chong, a grassroots leader who is helming the initiative, said the group hopes to “bring AI to the masses”.
“A lot of people think AI is something that’s very technical and they’re afraid of it. We hope to change that mindset,” said Mr Tan, who is chief data officer at tech firm Data Connect Technologies.
The group is working with AI Singapore to roll out a programme for primary school pupils and their parents to learn the basics of AI together, he added.
For those who are more tech-savvy, there will be workshops covering topics such as machine learning and programming language Python.
The programmes and workshops will be free for the public. Kebun Baru residents will have priority if slots are limited.
The interest group, which formed in May and now has eight core members, also hopes to improve community services, said Mr Tan. For instance, it is planning to create a chatbot that can answer residents’ queries on the People’s Association website and help them book facilities such as basketball courts.
At the event, a record was set in the Singapore Book of Records for the largest display of crocheted food items.
Residents in the constituency and volunteers crocheted more than 500 pieces of “kueh” that were inspired by wayfinding murals in Kebun Baru.
Murals of items like food were painted at some blocks in Kebun Baru precinct in 2020 to help elderly residents with wayfinding.
Mr Kwek said on July 7 that these murals would be extended to every HDB block in Kebun Baru, with funding from the Housing Board, Land Transport Authority and Ang Mo Kio Town Council.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, attended the Kebun Baru event as well as Jalan Kayu Day, which was held on the same day at Buangkok Square Mall.
About 800 residents attended the Jalan Kayu community event, which featured food stations, games, performances and activities such as keychain painting.
SM Lee and fellow Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling joined young people aged 18 to 35 in a discussion on friendships and relationships, which was facilitated by social enterprise Friendzone.
Software developer Teo Hao Jing, 24, said SM Lee joined her group in a conversation on their favourite way to recharge, and he encouraged her to de-stress by being out in nature, such as by visiting parks.
SM Lee and Ms Ng also launched the Buangkok Square Aquatic Theme Park, a public water park next to the mall.
Ms Ng said: “Families are the cornerstones of our society. We work on building the infrastructure and community activities in Jalan Kayu constituency to be conducive for families to live and thrive.”