DBS Foundation and IMDA Launch S$3M Initiative to Boost AI Literacy and Digital Inclusion for Seniors

DBS Foundation (DBSF) has announced a renewed three-year partnership with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) to deepen digital inclusion efforts and raise Generative AI (Gen AI) literacy across vulnerable communities. With the government’s dollar-for-dollar matching, the initiative will channel S$3 million into the Digital for Life (DfL) Fund, making DBSF the fund’s largest corporate donor to date.

The collaboration aims to reach 250,000 individuals over the next three years including seniors, youth, and people with special needs through enhanced digital literacy efforts focused on emerging AI technologies and online safety.

Tackling Digital and AI Gaps in a Super-Aged Society

With nearly 1 in 5 Singaporeans aged 60 and above, DBSF and IMDA’s expanded efforts come at a critical time. According to the SG Digital Society Report 2023, only 45% of seniors are open to adopting modern tech, compared to 65% of younger citizens. Meanwhile, deepfake scams are becoming more common, 1 in 4 Singaporeans have already encountered one, according to the 2024 CSA Cybersecurity Awareness Survey.

To address these gaps, the new initiative will focus on:

• S$3 million contribution to the DfL Fund (inclusive of matching): Supporting digital inclusion projects that cater specifically to the needs of ageing communities.
• A beginner-friendly Gen AI guide: Co-developed with IMDA and the Cyber Security Agency (CSA), this guide will educate seniors on AI tools, misinformation risks, deepfake scams, and digital safety.
• 1,000 digital and AI literacy workshops island-wide: Led by DBS employees, these workshops will cover everything from digital payments and scam prevention to safe and informed Gen AI usage.
• Peer learning and community outreach: Seniors will be empowered to educate fellow seniors, while partnerships with community groups will help reach socially isolated individuals.

Launching the Gen AI Curriculum

To kick off the programme, DBSF and IMDA hosted the first Gen AI workshop for seniors at Lions Befrienders’ Active Ageing Centre in Ang Mo Kio. The event welcomed Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Ms Jasmin Lau, who observed how seniors engaged with Gen AI through an interactive DBS-designed game and learned to spot misinformation and deepfakes.

A Broader Commitment to Senior Well-being

This initiative is part of DBS’ S$1 billion commitment over 10 years to support vulnerable communities. Earlier in 2025, DBSF also launched a S$7.3 million programme to combat social isolation and poor nutrition among 6,000 vulnerable seniors, providing communal meals, enrichment activities, and grocery shopping outings.