Gerry Chng
Master of IT in Business (Artificial Intelligence)
Class of 2023
Executive Director
Deloitte Enterprise Risk Services
As a partner with Deloitte’s risk advisory team specialising in cybersecurity, I provide consulting services to clients from diverse sectors, helping them embrace technological innovations while managing associated risks such as data breaches, regulatory & governance risk compliance and other technology resilience issues.
With an engineering background and 25 years in the industry, I recognise the need for companies to stay ahead through data, algorithms, and digital transformation. Initially, I took online courses from AI Singapore, Coursera and Datacamp. However, I decided to pursue a more formal education and chose SMU’s Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme with specialisation in Artificial Intelligence due to its strong industry collaboration. This programme allowed me to bridge the gap between academia and industry, driving practical adoption of new research and knowledge.
Returning to university was a timely reminder of the importance of continuous learning amidst rapid technological advancements. It is crucial to challenge your mindset and recognise the benefits of acquiring new skills when coupled with industry knowledge. This experience taught me the importance of unlearning and relearning. For instance, during a module on spreadsheet engineering, the initial lessons covered foundational knowledge that I was already familiar with. However, the subsequent weeks revealed capabilities I was not fully aware of, demonstrating the vast potential for application in my daily work.
My favourite module is Algorithm Design & Implementation as it reintroduced deep computational science topics and reignited my passion for problem-solving and codification of thought processes. While some concepts were familiar, I also learned and gained a lot of new ideas and concepts. Despite the demanding assignments, the experience and skills gained were invaluable. To date, I still keep a physical “Hanoi Tower” puzzle in my study as a reminder of the effort spent working on the algorithm design during one of the assignments!
The knowledge and confidence gained from the programme enabled me to take on additional roles in AI Governance and Standardisation in addition to my cybersecurity focus. I am currently a co-chair of the Singapore AI Technical Committee representing Singapore in the ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 42 committee on AI Standards. Additionally, I also chair a Special Interest Group on AI Ethics & Governance under the Singapore Computer Society, which aims to build a community of skilled professionals to address the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption.
The MITB programme lays a strong foundation for continual learning and networking. Formal education is not just about acquiring new skills, but rather, developing the meta-skills needed to be resilient, and adaptable. Keep an open mind and never assume you know everything. Take full advantage to network with your classmates, as many working professionals in the MITB community will serve as valuable connections in your career.
