In an interview with CNA938, SMU Dean of the School of Social Sciences and Professor of Computational Social Science Kenneth Benoit, who is also the 2026 Ideas Festival Chairperson, said that investment in the social sciences and humanities is important as societal problems are human-made, and their solutions are social in nature. Prof Benoit said that the new funding announced by the Ministry of Education (MOE) is likely to support research on AI disruption, its responsible use, and prevention of misuse, alongside shifts in regional alliances and trade. Launched at SMU, the 2026 Social Science and Humanities Ideas Festival runs from 26 Feb to 27 Mar 2026, featuring over 100 researchers sharing insights on themes such as mental well-being and adapting to emerging technologies.
Catch the full interview here.