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Singapore GovTech, Google DeepMind Develop On-Device AI to Detect Scams

Singapore Minister Josephine Teo highlighted the collaboration at Singapore International Cyber Week 2026. Google DeepMind’s Gemma-based model detects manipulative patterns in on-device conversations and issues real-time warnings while protecting users’ personal data.
Singapore Minister Josephine Teo speaks at Singapore International Cyber Week 2026, alongside a Google DeepMind graphic featuring red and white abstract waves and geometric blocks.
October 14, 2026 10:15 PM IST | Written by Supriya Singh | Edited by Pratima O Pareek

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) is collaborating with Google DeepMind to develop real-time AI scam detection on devices, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo said today at Singapore International Cyber Week 2026.

“If our devices can recognize signs of manipulation early, we can help potential victims avoid financial or credential loss, while keeping their personal messages on their devices,” Teo said.

Google DeepMind said it fine-tuned its lightweight Gemma model on local scam conversations to better identify local deception tactics. The model analyses conversations on-device and can issue real-time warnings when it detects manipulative patterns.

The project is part of the company’s National AI Partnership with the Singapore Government.

The system uses a two-stage process to screen messages and examine suspicious conversations. Google DeepMind said training took place in a GovTech-managed Google Cloud environment, used anonymized scam data without private or personally identifiable information, and included testing against simulated conversations and local scam datasets.

According to Google DeepMind, scams account for more than half of reported crimes in Singapore and over S$4 billion in losses since 2019. Social-engineering scams account for up to 80% of losses, it said.

Teo said rapid advances in AI and quantum technologies are creating new opportunities as well as emerging risks.

She also highlighted SATIS, the Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System jointly developed by GovTech and the Singapore Police Force, which scans more than 600,000 websites daily and disrupts around 20,000 malicious websites each month.

Also Read: Google Sues Chinese Cybercrime Network Over Gemini AI Led Scams

Authors

  • AI FrontPage Reporter Supriya Singh

    Supriya Singh is a Reporter at AI FrontPage covering the AI & Education and AI & Jobs beats. She brings six years of print and digital experience, including three years at The Asian Age, where she reported on higher education, Delhi government, and crime. She is based in Delhi-NCR.

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  • Pratima Pareek, Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage

    Pratima O Pareek is an Editor and Co-Founder of AI FrontPage. A gold medalist in Mass Communication and Journalism, she's worked across national and international newsrooms, bringing sharp editorial instincts and a commitment to clarity. She believes in cutting through the noise to deliver stories that actually matter.
    Off the clock, she watches offbeat cinema, follows tennis, and explores new places like a traveler, not a tourist.

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