CCDS PhD Student Alka Luqman Recognised in SG Girls in Tech 2025 List

When Alka Luqman found her name among the SG Girls in Tech 2025, she described the moment as “equal parts humbling and validating.” For the CCDS PhD student, the recognition affirms both her pioneering research in privacy-preserving AI and her commitment to building inclusive student communities. 

The SG Girls in Tech list, part of the SG Women in Tech movement shines a spotlight on emerging leaders whose contributions are shaping Singapore’s digital future. 

Alka’s research tackles urgent challenges in digital trust. She is developing privacy-preserving machine learning systems and advancing a deepfake detection solution with commercial potential. “Privacy-preserving machine learning and deepfake detection aren’t just interesting research challenges, they’re also essential if we want to build AI systems that are trustworthy, secure, and aligned with public interest,” she explained. 

Her applied projects reflect this ethos. She built an AI-based environmental monitoring tool to track single-use plastic at CCDS, and has led teams in developing peer-led, real-time AI applications. These projects reflect her belief that research must translate into systems that are practical, usable, and impactful. 

Alka’s leadership extends beyond research. As President of the CCDS Graduate Student Club and the Society of Women Engineers@NTU, she has mentored peers, spearheaded industry-academia networking events, and launched a Deep Learning Bootcamp for non-computer science students. “Honestly, the most rewarding part has been the people,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to work with passionate, driven, and genuinely kind individuals. The friendships I’ve built have been the real reward.” 

At the heart of her approach is a strong belief in democratising AI literacy. “Technical literacy in AI is quickly becoming a foundational skill across disciplines,” she shared. By creating peer-led environments, she helps students gain confidence in applying AI to real-world problems, preparing them for future careers in a rapidly evolving field. 

Looking ahead, Alka is determined to continue bridging research and practice. She is currently working on a commercial venture to detect deepfakes and manipulated media, and hopes to refine robust, real-world models while experiencing the fast-moving start-up ecosystem. 

Her story highlights the values that define CCDS: curiosity, technical excellence, and a deep commitment to impact. As she put it, “Responsible AI is about actively designing for long-term, inclusive impact and that’s the future I hope to be part of.”