SUVA, FIJI- The two-day “Pacific Voices in AI: Designing for Equity” symposium, held at the Fiji National University’s Nasinu Campus, has provided a vital platform for dialogue, collaboration, and forward-thinking discussions.
The participants were encouraged to use the space to exchange ideas, strengthen partnerships, and define new pathways for the region.
Speaking at the event, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Corporate Services, Professor Nii-K Plange, reminded attendees that the gathering represents far more than an academic exercise.
He emphasised that the symposium signals the Pacific’s readiness to take an active role in shaping the global transformation driven by artificial intelligence.
“This partnership is a clear statement that the Pacific is ready to actively shape, rather than passively receive, the global transformation driven by artificial intelligence. AI is already reshaping how we teach, how we learn, how we work, and how we solve complex societal challenges,” Professor Plange said.
The symposium was held in partnership with the University of Canterbury through its Digital Education Futures Lab, with support from the Commonwealth of Learning, reflecting a strong commitment to regional and international collaboration.
Professor Plange highlighted that the theme, “Designing for Equity,” holds particular significance for the Pacific, stressing that equity extends beyond access to technology.
“It is about ensuring that AI systems reflect our cultures, our languages, and our ways of knowing. It is about ensuring that innovation does not deepen inequality, but instead creates opportunities for inclusion, empowerment, and sustainable development,” he added.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Learning and Teaching, Professor Jimaima Lako, echoed these sentiments, describing the symposium as both timely and necessary amid the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in higher education.
“Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming higher education. It is reshaping how we teach, how we learn, and how knowledge is created and shared. Yet, as these changes unfold globally, it is critical that the Pacific is not simply adapting to externally driven systems but actively shaping them,” Professor Lako said.
She further stressed the importance of grounding AI development in Pacific contexts and values.
“It calls on us to ensure that AI is developed and applied in ways that are inclusive, culturally grounded, and responsive to the realities of our region. It challenges us to centre Pacific knowledge systems, our values, and lived experiences in conversations that are often shaped elsewhere.”
Professor Lako also reaffirmed the commitment of the Fiji National University to driving innovation and contributing to broader development goals.
“At the Fiji National University, we recognise that our role goes beyond delivering education. We are here to lead, to innovate, and to contribute meaningfully to national and regional development,” she said.
The symposium concludes tomorrow, marking the end of two days of critical engagement on the future of artificial intelligence in the Pacific.
