IMDA Singapore AI Governance Framework
Singapore's national guidance for responsible, trustworthy AI deployment — updated January 2026 with a dedicated framework for Agentic AI.
What You'll Learn
- What the IMDA framework covers and requires
- The Jan 2026 Agentic AI governance framework
- Practical steps to align your AI systems
- How Avernixx can accelerate your compliance
What is the IMDA AI Governance Framework?
Developed by Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) together with the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), the Model AI Governance Framework provides practical, actionable guidance for organisations deploying AI in Singapore.
The framework has been updated to reflect the rapid rise of generative AI and agentic AI systems — moving beyond simple models to address complex, autonomous AI that can take actions, make decisions, and interact with multiple systems without step-by-step human instruction.
While the framework is voluntary, adoption signals trustworthiness to customers, partners, regulators, and investors. It also aligns with international frameworks including the EU AI Act, ISO 42001, and the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
The Four Focus Areas
Internal Governance Structures
Establish clear accountability for AI decisions — designating roles, defining approval workflows, and ensuring board-level awareness of AI risks and opportunities.
Risk Management & Mitigation
Assess the probability and severity of AI-related harms before deployment, implement proportionate controls, and maintain ongoing monitoring for model drift and unexpected outcomes.
Responsible Use of Data & Models
Ensure training data is representative and free from harmful biases, maintain data lineage and governance, and apply appropriate safeguards when using third-party AI models.
Explainability & Transparency
Be able to explain AI-driven decisions to affected users in understandable terms — particularly for high-stakes decisions around credit, employment, healthcare, or legal matters.
Key Facts
💡 EDG Funding Available
Singapore SMEs can receive up to 50% co-funding under the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) for AI governance and responsible AI projects. Avernixx is an experienced EDG project partner.
World's First Agentic AI Governance Framework
On 22 January 2026, IMDA launched the Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI at the World Economic Forum in Davos — making Singapore the first country in the world to publish dedicated governance guidance for autonomous AI agents. Read the press release →
Define Autonomy Bounds
Clearly specify what actions your agentic AI is allowed to take autonomously versus what requires human approval. High-stakes actions should always require human review.
Maintain Human Accountability
Even when AI acts autonomously, a human must remain accountable for its outcomes. Governance structures must assign clear responsibility for agentic AI decisions.
Implement Oversight Mechanisms
Design monitoring and intervention points into agentic AI systems so humans can pause, override, or redirect the AI's actions when necessary.
Assess Multi-Agent Risks
When multiple AI agents interact, risks can compound in non-obvious ways. Governance frameworks must account for emergent risks from agent orchestration.
Log and Audit AI Actions
All significant actions taken by agentic AI should be logged with sufficient detail to allow post-hoc review, investigation, and regulatory reporting if required.
Test Adversarial Scenarios
Agentic AI must be tested against adversarial inputs, edge cases, and unexpected situations — not just standard operational scenarios.
Avernixx AI Governance Services
We help Singapore businesses align with the IMDA framework efficiently — without getting lost in jargon or bureaucracy.
AI Systems Audit
We map all your existing AI tools and systems against the IMDA framework's four focus areas — identifying gaps and prioritising remediation.
Governance Policy Development
We draft practical AI governance policies, acceptable use guidelines, and risk registers tailored to your business context and risk profile.
Risk Assessment & Controls
We conduct AI risk assessments for each system and implement proportionate controls — monitoring, access management, audit trails, and override mechanisms.
Staff Training & Awareness
We train your leadership, technical teams, and frontline staff on responsible AI use, governance obligations, and how to raise AI-related concerns.
Compliance Documentation
We produce all documentation needed to demonstrate IMDA framework alignment to regulators, clients, and board members.