DBS Foundation, with government dollar-for-dollar matching, contributes SGD 3 million to further accelerate digital inclusivity and increase AI literacy
Singapore.04 Aug 2025
The SGD3M contribution will go towards the Digital for Life fund to support digital inclusion projects that address ageing-related needs
In addition, 1000 digital and Gen AI literacy workshops will be rolled out over three years
This new and expanded partnership between DBS Foundation and Infocomm Media Development Authority aims to reach 250,000 beneficiaries
Singapore, 04 Aug 2025 - As Singapore transitions to a super-aged society, DBS Foundation (DBSF) is deepening its collaboration with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) through a new three-year partnership to drive digital inclusion. With AI becoming increasingly pervasive in everyday life, a key focus will be to increase Generative AI (Gen AI) literacy and proficiency among seniors and vulnerable individuals. This includes educating them on Gen AI’s potential risks – such as the spread of misinformation and scams – and providing guidance on how to better navigate them.
Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, joins representatives from DBS, DBS Foundation, IMDA and Lions Befrienders at a Gen AI workshop for seniors. This marks the start of a new and expanded three-year partnership between DBS Foundation and IMDA to drive digital inclusion.
DBSF will contribute SGD 1.5 million, which totals up to SGD 3 million with the government’s dollar-for-dollar matching, to the national Digital for Life (DfL) Fund to support digital projects that address ageing-related needs – making it the largest corporate donor to the DfL fund. In addition, it will work with the IMDA to develop a new Gen AI curriculum, as well as roll out 1,000 workshops island-wide with the support of the bank’s employees. These workshops seek to equip participants with the tools, skills and confidence to embrace digital learning and AI technologies.
Through these efforts, DBSF and IMDA aim to collectively reach out to 250,000 individuals – including senior citizens, youth, and individuals with special needs – over three years.
This renewed commitment builds on an earlier partnership between DBSF and IMDA to bridge the digital divide in the community. In 2022, DBSF contributed SGD 1 million (inclusive of the government’s matched funding) to the DfL movement and mobilised the bank’s employees to organise 680 digital literacy workshops over two years, which benefitted more than 150,000 people.
An enhanced, multi-pronged effort to drive digital and Gen AI literacy
While Singapore is among the most digitally inclusive nations in the world, many seniors, who make up close to 20% of citizens in Singapore, need more support in adopting modern technology. The SG Digital Society Report 2023 found that only 45% of seniors are willing to try out modern technologies, compared with 65% of Singaporeans aged 15 to 59.
In addition, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA)’s 2024 Cybersecurity Public Awareness Survey revealed that about one in four respondents have encountered deepfake scams. With the rising prevalence of deepfakes in the digital space and their potential for misuse in scams, it is important to learn how best to stay safe in the digital space.
As part of the new and expanded partnership with IMDA, DBSF will provide multi-pronged support to encourage, enable and empower more seniors to embrace digital and AI literacy:
Volunteers from DBS and IMDA guide seniors on how to use common Gen AI tools in daily life, such as planning a holiday itinerary.
Commemorating the start of the broader partnership, DBSF and IMDA organised the new Gen AI workshop for seniors at the Lions Befrienders’ Active Ageing Centre in Ang Mo Kio. Joining participants was Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, who observed how seniors familiarised themselves with everyday applications of Gen AI through a DBS-designed game and learnt about deepfakes and misinformation.
Karen Wee, Executive Director, Lions Befrienders, said: “Age should never be a barrier to learning. At Lions Befrienders, our digitalisation journey began in 2020 during Covid-19, when we partnered DBS Foundation to launch Singapore’s first and largest virtual befriending initiative for our seniors. Today, we’re excited to be moving to the next level – introducing AI and digital tools to empower seniors to access services, stay connected and informed, and rediscover their confidence and independence in a fast-changing world. We are deeply grateful to our partners, including DBS Foundation and IMDA, whose steadfast commitment to digital inclusion has made this journey possible. Together, we are bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no senior is left behind in the age ofAI.”
Karen Ngui, Head of DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, said: “At the DBS Foundation, we envision a future where everyone – regardless of age or circumstance – can live long and age well with dignity, purpose and joy. This requires a deliberate, collective, whole-of-society effort. We’re deeply heartened to have the support of many like-minded ecosystem partners like the IMDA, CSA, Lions Befrienders and our very own DBS employee volunteers. Together, we are well placed to make a difference and create meaningful, sustainable impact at scale.”
This expanded partnership with IMDA is the latest in a series of efforts under the bank’s SGD 1 billion commitment over 10 years to uplift lives and livelihoods of vulnerable segments and create enduring change. Earlier this year, DBSF launched a SGD 7.3 million programme aimed at tackling issues of social isolation and poor nutrition among vulnerable seniors by providing deep, comprehensive and sustained support. The 6,000 participating seniors get to enjoy twice-weekly nutritious communal meals, monthly social and enrichment activities, as well as quarterly grocery shopping outings, among others.
About DBS Foundation
Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.
In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.
Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.
For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation
Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, joins representatives from DBS, DBS Foundation, IMDA and Lions Befrienders at a Gen AI workshop for seniors. This marks the start of a new and expanded three-year partnership between DBS Foundation and IMDA to drive digital inclusion.DBSF will contribute SGD 1.5 million, which totals up to SGD 3 million with the government’s dollar-for-dollar matching, to the national Digital for Life (DfL) Fund to support digital projects that address ageing-related needs – making it the largest corporate donor to the DfL fund. In addition, it will work with the IMDA to develop a new Gen AI curriculum, as well as roll out 1,000 workshops island-wide with the support of the bank’s employees. These workshops seek to equip participants with the tools, skills and confidence to embrace digital learning and AI technologies.
Through these efforts, DBSF and IMDA aim to collectively reach out to 250,000 individuals – including senior citizens, youth, and individuals with special needs – over three years.
This renewed commitment builds on an earlier partnership between DBSF and IMDA to bridge the digital divide in the community. In 2022, DBSF contributed SGD 1 million (inclusive of the government’s matched funding) to the DfL movement and mobilised the bank’s employees to organise 680 digital literacy workshops over two years, which benefitted more than 150,000 people.
An enhanced, multi-pronged effort to drive digital and Gen AI literacy
While Singapore is among the most digitally inclusive nations in the world, many seniors, who make up close to 20% of citizens in Singapore, need more support in adopting modern technology. The SG Digital Society Report 2023 found that only 45% of seniors are willing to try out modern technologies, compared with 65% of Singaporeans aged 15 to 59.
In addition, the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA)’s 2024 Cybersecurity Public Awareness Survey revealed that about one in four respondents have encountered deepfake scams. With the rising prevalence of deepfakes in the digital space and their potential for misuse in scams, it is important to learn how best to stay safe in the digital space.
As part of the new and expanded partnership with IMDA, DBSF will provide multi-pronged support to encourage, enable and empower more seniors to embrace digital and AI literacy:
- Contributing SGD 3 million (inclusive of the government’s dollar-for-dollar matching) to the DfL Fund: The DfL fund provides grants to individuals and non-profit organisations driving digital inclusion projects. DBSF’s funding will specifically support projects that address urgent needs in ageing societies.
- Co-developing a first-of-its-kind beginners’ guide to Gen AI for seniors in collaboration with IMDA and CSA: The guide aims to inform seniors about the uses of Gen AI, the dangers, such as the spread of misinformation and deepfake scams, and safety tips when using Gen AI.
- Rolling out 1000 digital and AI literacy workshops island-wide over three years: In addition to topics such as digital payments and anti-scam education, the new workshops will also include the new Gen AI curriculum.
- Introducing a peer-learning initiative that enables seniors to teach their counterparts everything from digital payments to tips on how to spot and avoid scams, as well as partnering community partners to reach out to isolated seniors.
Lim Him Chuan, DBS Singapore Country Head, said: “As Singapore prepares to transition to a super-aged society, we want to ensure that everyone is empowered to embrace digitalisation and participate meaningfully in the evolving digital world. Besides widening access to technology, we are enabling beneficiaries to understand what Gen AI is and how it works, as well as to boost their confidence to navigate it well. More importantly, through the hands-on learning experiences facilitated by our colleagues in the bank, we hope to create opportunities for everyone across generations to collectively shapean AI-integrated world that they can thrive in.”
Doreen Tan, Assistant Chief Executive of Strategic Planning and Digital Readiness at IMDA, said: “IMDA’s partnership with DBS Foundation since 2022 shows what is possible when we come together to build digital skills in the community. We are excited to deepen this partnership under the national DfL movement for another three years, to reach even more Singaporeans. Thanks to DBS Foundation’s support and passionate volunteers, we have seen seniors grow confident in using e-payments and master digital skills, including using AI for daily living tasks. This is what the DfL movement is about – rallying like-minded partners to make sure every Singaporean can thrive in our digital future."
Mr Ong Kok Wee, Assistant Chief Executive (Policy & Corporate Development) of CSA, said: “As we become more reliant on technology in our daily lives, this also means that we are more vulnerable to cyber threats. CSA has been working with IMDA and DBS Foundation to reach out to seniors to help them learn cyber hygiene tips to stay safe online. With this beginners’ guide to AI, we seek to highlight to seniors the many empowering and creative uses of Gen AI, and the accompanying dangers, such as deepfakes and scams. This is to enable our seniors to enjoy the benefits that Gen AI brings while staying vigilant against the risks.”
Volunteers from DBS and IMDA guide seniors on how to use common Gen AI tools in daily life, such as planning a holiday itinerary.Commemorating the start of the broader partnership, DBSF and IMDA organised the new Gen AI workshop for seniors at the Lions Befrienders’ Active Ageing Centre in Ang Mo Kio. Joining participants was Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, who observed how seniors familiarised themselves with everyday applications of Gen AI through a DBS-designed game and learnt about deepfakes and misinformation.
Karen Wee, Executive Director, Lions Befrienders, said: “Age should never be a barrier to learning. At Lions Befrienders, our digitalisation journey began in 2020 during Covid-19, when we partnered DBS Foundation to launch Singapore’s first and largest virtual befriending initiative for our seniors. Today, we’re excited to be moving to the next level – introducing AI and digital tools to empower seniors to access services, stay connected and informed, and rediscover their confidence and independence in a fast-changing world. We are deeply grateful to our partners, including DBS Foundation and IMDA, whose steadfast commitment to digital inclusion has made this journey possible. Together, we are bridging the digital divide and ensuring that no senior is left behind in the age ofAI.”
Karen Ngui, Head of DBS Foundation and DBS Group Strategic Marketing and Communications, said: “At the DBS Foundation, we envision a future where everyone – regardless of age or circumstance – can live long and age well with dignity, purpose and joy. This requires a deliberate, collective, whole-of-society effort. We’re deeply heartened to have the support of many like-minded ecosystem partners like the IMDA, CSA, Lions Befrienders and our very own DBS employee volunteers. Together, we are well placed to make a difference and create meaningful, sustainable impact at scale.”
This expanded partnership with IMDA is the latest in a series of efforts under the bank’s SGD 1 billion commitment over 10 years to uplift lives and livelihoods of vulnerable segments and create enduring change. Earlier this year, DBSF launched a SGD 7.3 million programme aimed at tackling issues of social isolation and poor nutrition among vulnerable seniors by providing deep, comprehensive and sustained support. The 6,000 participating seniors get to enjoy twice-weekly nutritious communal meals, monthly social and enrichment activities, as well as quarterly grocery shopping outings, among others.
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About DBS Foundation
Established in 2014, DBS Foundation is committed to uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact. It aims to bring hope to those with less today, so no one is left behind and we can all face the future with confidence.
In 2024, DBS committed up to SGD 1 billion dollars over the next decade to support vulnerable communities. It also pledged to contribute 1.5 million employee volunteer hours over the same period.
Together with an ecosystem of like-minded partners, DBS Foundation seeks to create impact that goes beyond banking, beyond borders, and beyond generations.
For more information, please visit: www.dbs.com/dbsfoundation
