Thought Leadership

Some of the world’s leaders, and leading thinkers from NUS and overseas, regularly gather and add to the rich diversity of thoughts and ideas on our campuses, in Singapore and across the globe.
Here’s what they had to share.

Cashless but confusing: Can Singapore fix its digital payments system?

Cashless but confusing: Can Singapore fix its digital payments system?

Speaker: Asst Prof Daniel Rabetti 3 Nov 2025

Cashless payments in Singapore are plentiful, but sometimes painfully confusing. Assistant Professor Daniel Rabetti from NUS Business School shares his insights on how embracing the digital dollar could help create a unified digital payment layer, streamlining payments within the nation and across borders, while globally helping shape the “financial architecture” of the digital era: the shared rules, standards and digital plumbing that determine how money moves safely and efficiently.

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We can’t wait for an AI crisis before taking action

We can’t wait for an AI crisis before taking action

Speaker: Speaker: Professor Simon Chesterman | 6 July 2026

SpaceX’s investors are giving up control to buy into Musk’s vision

SpaceX’s investors are giving up control to buy into Musk’s vision

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Johan Sulaeman | 3 July 2026

Can Jurong Lake District become Singapore’s second central business district?

Can Jurong Lake District become Singapore’s second central business district?

Speaker: Speakers: Professor Sing Tien Foo | 3 July 2026

Small states are the best bet for keeping world at peace

Small states are the best bet for keeping world at peace

Speaker: Speakers: Professor Danny Quah | 1 July 2026

The old model is broken. Telcos need to reinvent themselves

The old model is broken. Telcos need to reinvent themselves

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Tiffany Tsai | 24 June 2026

The triangular geopolitics of critical minerals

The triangular geopolitics of critical minerals

Speaker: Speakers: Associate Professor Gu Qingyang | 23 June 2026

The Singaporean workers who feel AI has nothing to do with them

The Singaporean workers who feel AI has nothing to do with them

Speaker: Speakers: Prof Irene Y.H. Ng, Mr Tan Zhi Han, Ms V Deepa and Mr Aaron Lim | 15 June 2026

AI companions are coming. Privacy rules are not ready

AI companions are coming. Privacy rules are not ready

Speaker: Speaker: Prof Simon Chesterman | 9 June 2026

We need to close the gap between Singapore's mental health goals and reality

We need to close the gap between Singapore's mental health goals and reality

Speaker: Speaker: Asst Prof Rayner Tan | 8 June 2026

Are we in an affordability crisis?

Are we in an affordability crisis?

Speaker: Speakers: Mr Liang Zixuan and Mr Mukund Kishore | 4 June 2026