Singapore: Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI (IMDA, 2026) and MAS Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management (final, 2026)

Summary

Singapore governs AI mainly through guidance rather than statute. IMDA's Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI, launched on January 22, 2026, advises organisations deploying AI agents to bound risks up front, define checkpoints where a person must approve an agent's action, apply technical controls through the agent's lifecycle and make end users responsible through transparency and training. For the financial sector, the Monetary Authority of Singapore consulted on Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management from November 2025 to January 2026 and published the final Guidelines with its response to feedback on October 7, 2026. The Guidelines apply to all financial institutions and cover board and senior-management oversight, AI identification and inventory, risk materiality assessment, lifecycle controls and capability. MAS replaced the proposed single 12-month transition with a phased one: frameworks for oversight, inventory and risk materiality within 12 months, and full implementation within 24 months.

Key dates

1. January 22, 2026Key date
2. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
3. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. DAVOS , 22 January 2026 – Minister for Digital Development and Information, Mrs Josephine Teo, announced the launch of the new Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) today.

   Supports: Framework name, launch date, issuer

   Singapore Launches New Model AI Governance Framework for Agentic AI Ministry of Digital Development and Information (Singapore) Primary source

2. Consultation Number: P017-2025 Start Date: 13 November 2025 Closing Date: 31 January 2026 MAS Response Date: 07 October 2026

   Supports: Consultation number, dates, response date

   Consultation Paper on Proposed Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management for Financial Institutions Monetary Authority of Singapore Primary source

3. MAS has carefully considered the feedback received and appreciates the views shared. Where appropriate, the feedback has been reflected in the final Guidelines, having regard to the Guidelines' overall objectives.

   Supports: Final Guidelines issued with the October 7, 2026, response

   Unless paragraph 2.3. of the Guidelines applies, an FI should meet the expectations in Sections 3 and 4 of the Guidelines (i.e. establish frameworks for oversight of risks from AI use, and processes for identification, inventorisation and risk materiality assessments) by 12 months.

   Supports: Phased implementation timeline

   Response to Feedback Received on Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence Risk Management (P017-2025) Monetary Authority of Singapore Primary source