Thought Leadership

The relevance of Social Sciences and Humanities in an AI-fuelled world

Published on 29 April 2024
SMU’s public lecture, “Growing Up in an Al-Fuelled World: Reflections on Childhood Amid Digital Acceleration”, helmed by SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Professor of Communication and Technology, Lim Sun Sun (left), on 5 April 2024, gave insights about the pivotal role that parents play as the key architects of their child's media environments.
SMU’s public lecture, “Growing Up in an Al-Fuelled World: Reflections on Childhood Amid Digital Acceleration”, helmed by SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Professor of Communication and Technology, Lim Sun Sun (left), on 5 April 2024, gave insights about the pivotal role that parents play as the key architects of their child's media environments.

Social sciences and humanities (SSH) research is incredibly important in enriching our understanding of social issues, which are often complex and dynamic.

This is even more important now, with much of the world’s attention trained on generative artificial intelligence (AI) and technological disruption, which add an extra layer of complexity to fast-evolving social issues.

This was highlighted during the official launch of the inaugural Social Sciences and Humanities Ideas Festival on 20 March 2024. Giving his opening address, Singapore’s Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing shared this point and emphasised the Government’s continued commitment to supporting the development of the local SSH research ecosystem and scholarship in Singapore and the region.

Singapore’s Minister for Education Mr Chan Chun Sing. (Photo: Ray Photography)

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, SMU is one of the institutions that is organising a series of events for students, professionals, academics, and members of the public as part of the Ideas Festival.

Through activities ranging from roundtable discussions and public lectures to open dialogues and networking sessions, the Ideas Festival aims to demonstrate how social sciences and humanities research can be a driving force to address emerging societal, technological, and regional challenges and developments in Singapore and the region.

In her keynote address at the launch event, SMU President Professor Lily Kong underscored the importance of social sciences and humanities research in all aspects of life as well as its role as a strategic asset for Singapore to help our nation navigate future challenges.

SMU President, Prof Lily Kong (in blue jacket) underscored the importance of social sciences and humanities research in all aspects of life and its role as a strategic asset for Singapore, at the inaugural Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival launch event on 20 March 2024.

“Technologies will undoubtedly be part of the solutions the world needs, but technologies alone, without an understanding of individual psychologies, societal values, political relations, legal and policy frameworks, regulatory regimes and workable business models will simply not suffice,” she stated.

Prof Kong also emphasised the criticality of ensuring that such research extends beyond academia. Through intentional design from the onset, researchers can address significant societal challenges through their work and translate their findings into actionable outcomes for relevant stakeholders.

Reflections on childhood amid digital acceleration

As part of the Ideas Festival, SMU’s College of Integrative Studies (CIS) organised a public lecture titled “Growing Up in an AI-Fuelled World: Reflections on Childhood Amid Digital Acceleration” on 5 April 2024.

The lecture was helmed by SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Professor of Communication and Technology Lim Sun Sun, and gave attendees firsthand insights about the pivotal role that parents play as key architects of their child’s media environments.

The evening lecture was held on SMU’s campus and was attended by more than 50 guests comprising members of the public, government officials, as well as SMU faculty and staff.

During the lecture, a nuanced discussion parsed the societal impact of technology, including the promises of digitalisation and pitfalls due to the disruptions presented by AI.

“It’s not always easy growing up in an AI-fuelled world,” shared Prof Lim. “So, when I was asked to give a talk that would interest the public and demonstrate the value of social science research, I chose a topic that would help parents make better sense of digital acceleration for themselves and their kids.”

Drawing on SSH research on the social implications of AI, as well as examples from her book, Transcendent Parenting: Raising Children in the Digital Age, Prof Lim illustrated the positive ways in which technology might be harnessed.

She also highlighted the opportunities for children today to interact frequently with chatbots, and reminded parents to help their children to understand that these are ultimately robots, intervening with gentle explanations if they notice their children showing a proclivity towards interacting far too frequently with such chatbots.

Prof Lim encouraged parents to build trust with children, and to be prepared that tensions might crop up from time to time. Her presentation was followed by a lively Q&A session moderated by Associate Prof Jiow Hee Jhee, Media Literacy Council Member & Programme Leader at the Singapore Institute of Technology.

In addition to the public lecture, SMU organised a Postgraduate Networking Session in support of the Ideas Festival.

Taking place on campus on the evening of 4 April 2024, the session served as an opportunity for senior and graduating PhD students in the humanities and social sciences to network with peers and to gain valuable insights. More than 30 guests attended the in-person event, where researchers from local universities related their experiences with early career research as well as alternative academic options.