On 15 February 2026, MARUAH organized a discussion to examine Budget 2026 through a human rights lens, focusing on adequate living standards, intergenerational equity, social protection, community partnerships, the impact of AI on employment and social sectors and futurescaping National Budgets.
The dialogue was in three parts: identifying of key provisions, critiquing the Budget and Singapore model’s mechanics and generating specific recommendations for consideration, for parliamentarians, policy holders and public. It captures key points made in the process by panelists and audience. It also shares the key questions which we hope can be addressed.
We have also shared this document with Members of Parliament as part of their preparation for the Committee of Supply debates that begin on 24th February.
We hope you will find these useful and look forward to meeting you at our future events.
MARUAH is pleased to invite you to an urgent and hopeful conversation on the future of Human Rights in an AI world.
About this event
Artificial intelligence (traditional and generative) is rapidly reshaping how societies make decisions about healthcare, security, work, travel and entertainment, raising profound questions about dignity, fairness, privacy and the rule of law. From biased algorithms and pervasive surveillance to empowering tools for access to justice and expression, AI has become a new frontier for long-standing human rights struggles in Singapore, the region, and beyond. This talk will explore how both traditional and generative AI can either deepen existing inequalities, censorship and invasion of privacy or be harnessed to advance human rights.
Drawing on recent global developments, the session will first explore in layman’s terms what AI is, what it can do, and how it intersects with core rights such as privacy, equality, freedom of expression, and due process. It will then examine concrete examples from everyday life and public policy, showing how AI systems can help deliver better services while also creating new risks of discrimination, censorship, and loss of privacy. The discussion will connect these issues to emerging international and regional standards on AI and human rights.
Finally, the audience will be invited to debate on what a rights‑centred approach to AI should be: from transparency and accountability mechanisms to impact assessments, remedies for harm, and the role of civil society in shaping technology governance. Practical questions on what is meaningful consent, participation, and oversight in the age of AI, and how communities can work with policymakers, industry, and advocates to ensure that technological innovation serves human dignity rather than undermining it.
Posted by jamestan2019 
MARUAH Singapore 
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