In a statement released on Monday, MAS said as part of broader efforts to harness AI/ML for industry-wide use cases, it is conducting a Proof-of-Value (POV) to explore AI/ML techniques for pre-emptive scam detection.

By bringing together data from across five banks, the POV aims to build more robust and accurate AI/ML models that help identify higher-risk transactions and accounts. Prompt identification could enable timely assessment, intervention and reduction of customer losses to scams.

AI (Artificial Intelligence) letters are placed on computer motherboard in this illustration taken June 23, 2023. Photo by Reuters

To support the POV, MAS has provided industry partners with a secure data sharing environment governed by policies and protocols to safeguard customer information. Data used in the POV will remain confidential and protected with cryptographic techniques. Bank account numbers used will be hashed, ensuring that only the contributing bank can identify actual account numbers. Data access will be restricted to authorised personnel within a controlled setting that will be continuously monitored throughout the POV. All data used will be deleted at the end of the POV.

According to MAS, the current POV lays the groundwork for deeper industry collaboration, harnessing AI/ML to enhance and complement individual financial institution’s existing efforts in preventing and countering financial crime.

After assessing its effectiveness and learning from it, MAS may expand the scope and sophistication of AI/ML models used – incorporating broader datasets, and a wider set of use cases to further fortify our financial system’s defences against criminal activity.