Papua New Guinea's Rapid Adoption of Artificial Intelligence Amid Concerns Over Access, Jobs, and Data
ABC News
ENRICHED
Details
- Date Published
- 9 Feb 2026
- Priority Score
- 3
- Australian
- No
- Created
- 9 Feb 2026, 10:45 pm
Description
PNG's leaders are betting on AI to transform government, but can the country leapfrog into the future without leaving people behind?
Summary
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is ambitiously integrating artificial intelligence across various sectors, from education and healthcare to government services, aiming to leapfrog directly into a technologically advanced future. This effort is spearheaded by PNG Prime Minister James Marape, who envisions AI as a tool for national development despite existing digital infrastructure challenges. However, this rapid adoption raises significant concerns about equitable access, data security, and the impact on employment, potentially exacerbating social inequalities. The integration of AI in PNG has broader implications for global AI governance and safety discourse, particularly in terms of managing technological leaps in developing economies and ensuring sustainability and safety in AI deployment.
Body
At a packed tech summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea's leaders are making it clear they want to embrace artificial intelligence, from classrooms and hospitals to government procurement and public service jobs.But as PNG races to adopt AI while still building its digital foundations, questions are emerging about access, data security, jobs, and who really benefits from this technological leap.In this episode of ABC Radio Australia's Politok host Scott Waide speaks with PNG's Prime Minister James Marape about his vision for the country.Talent list:James Marape, PNG Prime MinisterSteven Matainaho, Secretary of Papua New Guinea Department of Information and Communication TechnologyJames Inglis, NiuPay Chief Executive OfficerYuambari Haihuie, former Deputy Director Transparency International Papua New GuineaAlice Ashwin, gamerCreditsInga Stünzner, Executive ProducerJulian McKenzie, Sound EngineerKuntamari Crofts, ProducerJordan Fennell, Supervising ProducerImage DetailsPNG's Prime Minister James Marape is betting on AI to build a merit-based Papua New Guinea(Supplied: Facebook)Program:More from PolitokPacific, Papua New Guinea