SINGAPORE could be at the forefront of breakthroughs in fields like artificial intelligence and nanotechnology, a best-selling science author and television personality said on Tuesday.

Famed futurist and physicist Michio Kaku said the country is right to focus its research and development efforts on those areas, along with biotechnology.

Professor Kaku, 61, called them key technologies for the future which could revolutionise everything from medicine to shopping.

'Singapore could be at the forefront of a new wave of technology, because of its investment in intellectual capitalism,' he said.

Following a push from the Government, research and development spending hit a record $6.33 billion last year, up over 25 per cent from 2006.

The State has tabbed the sector as a key industry and has invested in science hubs like Fusionopolis to attract top researchers from around the world.

Prof Kaku was the keynote speaker at the opening of a conference here called Futuropolis 2058, which looked at ways to use technology to create a sustainable world.

Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The Straits Times.