AI Playbook for Small States
AI PLAYBOOK FOR SMALL STATES
The AI Playbook for Small States serves as a collaborative guide compiled by Singapore and Rwanda on behalf of the Digital Forum of Small States (Digital FOSS). It shares best practices, case studies, and policy approaches for small nations to build human resource capacity, drive AI adoption in industry and government, foster trusted environments, and forge international partnerships. The document is designed as a living document to help resource-constrained small states navigate artificial intelligence opportunities and risks.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Policymakers and digital leaders in small states seeking guidance on implementing AI strategies and governance.
What the document contains
The document covers strategies for small states to develop human resources, access compute and high-quality data, drive AI use in industry and government, establish trusted governance frameworks, and engage in international cooperation.
It contains no binding legal regulations, mandatory compliance obligations, enforcement mechanisms, or formal technical definitions of artificial intelligence.
- Small states face unique constraints in compute, data, funding, and talent that require targeted collaborative strategies.
- Building a solid human resource foundation through specialized AI education and broad-based training is critical for sustainable ecosystems.
- Governments can catalyze wider industry adoption by prioritizing internal AI use cases and piloting public service applications.
- Open-source testing tools and practical governance frameworks help smaller economies evaluate AI risks without prohibitive costs.
- International networks and groupings like Digital FOSS amplify small states' voices to shape global AI governance norms.
· WHO WE ARE · ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS · PREFACE · CHAPTER 1: Laying Key Building Blocks · CHAPTER 2: Driving AI Development and Use · CHAPTER 3: Fostering a Trusted Environment · CHAPTER 4: Forging Global Partnerships and Cooperation · CONCLUSION
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Fairness
4/5Non-discrimination and equitable treatment
This can be achieved by offering localized content in multiple languages and crafting region-specific case studies that address distinct challenges and solutions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Dignity
1/5Respect for the inherent worth of persons
AI’s potential transcends economic value, as it also has the power to uplift individuals, communities and societies.
PREFACE
screening score · 2026-10-23
Human Oversight
0/5Humans remain in control of consequential decisions
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
4/5Protection of personal data and private life
The “Artificial Intelligence and Information Privacy Principles” guidelines set out the legal requirements on how entities can collect, use and share personal information in relation to AI systems.
CHAPTER 3
screening score · 2026-10-23
Transparency
4/5Openness about how AI systems work and are used
The outcomes of the projects supported by ICAIN will be made publicly available and must be transparent in terms of both the AI models and training data used.
CHAPTER 1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Enforcement
0/5Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
3/5Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use
Testing and evaluation of AI systems help surface gaps that need to be addressed. It also assures end-users that the risks identified have been mitigated and the safeguards are adequately in place.
CHAPTER 3
screening score · 2026-10-23