Calls made for stronger government focus on AI as concerns raised over Fiji’s preparedness

Concerns have been raised about the lack of preparedness in Fiji for the fast-growing impact of artificial intelligence, with a call made for the government to take AI more seriously.

While speaking during Dialogue Fiji’s People’s Dialogue on the 2025–26 Budget, UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, Senior Project Officer Abel Caine says simple AI is already being used in Fiji, but the more advanced and serious applications are yet to arrive.

While responding Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad says while there may not be any specific mention, he agrees they should have.

He has, however, assured that there is a lot of funding not only in the Ministry of Education, but also under the Ministry of Trade and Communications.

Professor Prasad says they have also appointed an Education Commission and part of the expectation from the Commission is to come up with recommendations as to how we can prepare ourselves, not only in terms of education use of AI.