SINGAPORE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Defense Zaqy Mohamad on Wednesday urged technology professionals to focus on technology evolution and discuss how the shifts may influence defense.
The official made the remarks while delivering a welcoming address at the opening ceremony of the fourth Singapore Defense Technology Summit.
"Innovative technology continues to shape conflicts and affect the balance of power between states. Digital and dual-use technologies are undergoing a continuous revolution, characterized by the rapid development and widespread availability of new technologies that have civilian or military applications," Mohamad said.
"Such technologies include artificial intelligence, robotic and nanotechnology," he said.
"I hope you will gain some new perspectives and a better understanding of how cutting-edge technologies can contribute to peace and security," Mohamad told the participants.
The three-day summit will focus on topics including technology lessons learned from recent conflicts, ways to mitigate defense supply chain risks, and the impact of digitalization on the future of defense.
"The summit set out with an ambition to bring together leaders from government, industry, academia, and think tanks across the globe to share different ideas and collaborate in technology development to confront challenges in defense and security," said Roy Chan, deputy chief executive (Operations) of Singapore's Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), at a news briefing Tuesday.
Held by the DSTA, the summit attracted over 600 participants in person and more than 800 participants online. ■