Singapore SMART Launches Interdisciplinary Research Group M3S to Tackle AI Challenges
The Singapore MIT-Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, has launched an interdisciplinary research group called Mens, Manus and Machina: How AI Empowers People, Institutions and the City in Singapore (M3S). The aim of the group is to address key social and institutional challenges surrounding the rise of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. The goal is to advance knowledge and foster collaborative research that has a positive impact on society in Singapore and globally.
M3S and Its Purpose
The SMART M3S group aims to redefine the boundaries of AI, automation, and robotics through interdisciplinary research, knowledge sharing, and collaborations. Their objective is to design innovative, resilient, and inclusive solutions that empower individuals, institutions, and cities. By exploring the relationship between human capabilities, emerging technologies, and societal structures, SMART M3S aims to drive scientific, societal, and commercial impact in Singapore and beyond.
The Significance of SMART M3S in Singapore
Aligned with Singapore’s Smart Nation initiative and National AI Strategy, the SMART M3S project is supported by a multimillion-dollar grant from the National Research Foundation of Singapore. The country has consistently ranked highly in the Smart City Index, showcasing its integration of AI, automation, and robotics in various sectors. SMART M3S aims to contribute to Singapore’s AI ecosystem by focusing on the human-machine relationship and enhancing existing AI initiatives.
The Collaborative Team of SMART M3S
The SMART M3S group consists of 17 professors from MIT and various institutions in Singapore. The team draws expertise from researchers at Singapore Management University (SMU), Singapore University of Technology and Design, the National University of Singapore, and the National Robotics Program of Singapore. Lead principal investigator Jinhua Zhao and co-lead principal investigators Daniela Rus and Archan Misra guide the team.
Together, they will tackle key issues such as the interfaces between humans and machines, machine learning fundamentals, and the implications of AI for human and social capital development. The team will also address the dynamics between humans and machines in resource allocation and human labor management. The research conducted will contribute to soft robotics, brain interfaces, learning algorithms, and social and technological acceptability of AI and robotics.
M3S’s Approach and Goals
SMART M3S takes an interdisciplinary approach, combining scientific and societal perspectives. The aim is to not only develop technical breakthroughs for human-AI synergy but also focus on training and governance mechanisms that support individuals and organizations in adapting and thriving in a robotics-heavy work environment. The group’s collaboration seeks to enhance Singapore’s AI policies, economic standing, and workforce training.
About SMART
Since its establishment in 2007, SMART has been at the forefront of cutting-edge research in various fields. SMART was created by MIT in partnership with the National Research Foundation of Singapore and consists of an Innovation Center and four interdisciplinary research groups, including M3S.