Law and regulatory frameworks must continuously evolve to keep pace with rapid technological change, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), which is already challenging traditional notions of responsibility and accountability, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday.
Speaking at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum, Wong said no legal system is ever complete or perfect, and the balance struck at any point in time is not fixed.
“What works today may not be appropriate for tomorrow. The world keeps moving, and our laws and institutions must continue to evolve and keep pace,” he said.
He noted that one of the most significant frontiers reshaping legal systems is technology, with AI advancing faster than regulatory frameworks in many jurisdictions around the world.
He warned that the consequences are already visible, citing increasingly sophisticated scams, deepfakes that can damage reputations within hours, and misinformation that spreads faster than verified facts.
“These are not hypothetical risks. They are already here,” he said.
He added that more complex legal questions lie ahead, particularly in determining accountability when AI systems cause harm.
These include scenarios such as incorrect medical diagnoses or accidents involving self-driving vehicles, raising questions over whether responsibility lies with developers, algorithm designers, deploying companies, or end users.
He also said existing legal frameworks were not designed for a world in which machines can make consequential decisions, adding that this would require a rethinking of fundamental principles around liability, responsibility and accountability.
However, he cautioned that policymakers must strike a careful balance in regulating emerging technologies.
“Move too slowly, and the law falls behind while people potentially get hurt. Move too quickly and we risk stifling innovation,” he said.
He stressed that the challenge is to balance safety with progress, and control with creativity.
At the same time, he said human judgment must remain central to the legal system even as AI becomes more prevalent.
While machines can assist in analysis and recommendations, decisions involving fairness, responsibility and justice cannot be delegated entirely to algorithms, he noted.
“These are human questions, which humans must decide — and that must always remain so,” he added.