More than 500 participants attended the second Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit hosted by the International Training Institute (ITI) at the Stanley Hotel in Port Moresby last Friday.
The summit highlighted growing interest in artificial intelligence and digital transformation in Papua New Guinea. Read more: https://pnghausbung.com/using-ai-with-greater-responsibility/
The 2026 summit, themed “AI for Inclusive Growth: Bridging the Global Digital Divide,” brought together government representatives, private sector leaders, technology experts, and international professionals to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in national development.
Speaking in his opening remarks, ITI Chairman and Co-Founder Senthil Kumaran Sentheyval said attendance had increased compared to last year’s event, reflecting increasing interest in the technology.
“Our technology conference journey started in 2014 with ICT and telecommunications discussions, and it has grown steadily since then,” he said.
He explained that the idea for the AI summit was formed after participating in an AI conference in Australia, where the rapid global momentum of artificial intelligence was evident.
Mr. Sentheyval also referred to a recent announcement by James Marape that the government is preparing to integrate artificial intelligence into public administration to improve efficiency, transparency, and fairness.
According to him, artificial intelligence is already shaping everyday life through technologies such as search engines, recommendation systems on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, and voice assistants.
“The biggest turning point in public awareness of AI was in late 2022 with the launch of generative AI tools that made the technology accessible to ordinary people,” he said.
He noted that while concerns exist about job losses due to automation, global reports also suggest new employment opportunities will emerge.
Studies show about 40 per cent of jobs could be affected by AI, but millions of new roles in technology, governance, and data management are expected to be created.
Mr. Sentheyval also announced the launch of ITI’s AI Lab, a dedicated research and innovation space that will support the institute’s artificial intelligence initiatives.
Other developments include the rollout of Microsoft 365 with AI-powered Copilot across ITI campuses, new AI-enabled internal systems for human resources and student feedback, and the introduction of annual AI Excellence Awards.
The summit’s chief guest, Grand Chief Sir Bob Dadae, Governor-General of Papua New Guinea, emphasized the importance of ensuring that artificial intelligence benefits everyone.
“Across the world, artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and public services,” he said.
“However, unequal access to technology remains a challenge. How we respond to this digital divide will shape the trajectory of our nation’s development.”
Sir Dadae said Papua New Guinea’s young population is one of the country’s greatest strengths and highlighted the need to equip citizens with digital literacy, critical thinking, and modern technological skills.
“As we embrace artificial intelligence, we must do so responsibly so that technology uplifts people, protects privacy, and reflects our national values,” he said.
Also addressing the summit was Satyen Singh, Chief Executive Officer of Digitec ICT Limited, the event’s title sponsor.
Mr. Singh said artificial intelligence should be accessible to everyone and not limited to a small group of organizations.
“Wherever connectivity goes, opportunity follows,” he said, adding that the ATH Group, which includes Vodafone PNG and Digitech, is working to connect seven markets across
Oceania.
He highlighted potential AI applications in healthcare, agriculture, and education, saying the technology could help doctors diagnose patients faster, improve farming productivity, and support better learning outcomes for students.
Mr. Singh also warned organisations about “shadow AI,” where employees use AI tools without proper governance, potentially exposing confidential data.
He stressed that leadership decisions will determine whether AI strengthens the workforce or replaces it.
“Technology is neutral. It is leadership that decides whether we use AI to remove jobs or to train people to work at higher levels,” he said.
The summit featured five panel discussion sessions covering generative AI, AI in education and learning, AI in finance, AI in ethics and governance, and AI in health services.
National and international experts participated in the discussions, sharing insights on how artificial intelligence could support development in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region.
Organizers also confirmed that the next ITI AI Summit will be held on April 2 and 3, 2027, extending the event to two days to accommodate the growing number of topics and participants. Read more: https://www.thepngsun.com/iti-hosts-ai-summit-2026-to-raise-awareness-and-explore-practical-applications/
The gathering concluded with calls for stronger partnerships between government, educational institutions, the private sector, and international partners to ensure Papua New Guinea benefits from the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence.