Monday June 2, 2025
The Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is advancing its AI collaboration with China, building on the recent Workshop on Artifical Intelligence (AI) Capacity Building held at Tsinghua University from May 12-17, 2025.
Attended by PNG delegate, Deputy Secretary for Department of ICT, Russell Woruba alongside representatives from nearly 40 nations, the workshop highlighted AI’s transformative potential, aligning with PNG’s High-Level AI Strategy under the PNG Digital Government Act 2022.
China’s robust AI ecosystem—featuring 2,400 enterprises and 120 large language models in Beijing—serves as a model for PNG’s development, shaped by four distinct technology waves. The first wave (pre-2000) focused on knowledge-driven growth through education and basic R&D. The second wave (2000-2010) emphasized industrial R&D, scaling manufacturing and technology adoption. The third wave (2010-2020) prioritized technology diffusion, integrating AI into sectors like smart grids and agriculture. The fourth and current wave (2020-present) centers on innovation and commercialization, transforming universities into hubs that commercialize research, foster startups, and address real industry challenges—exemplified by applications like TrackAI for inclusive healthcare.
The workshop showcased AI’s capabilities in driving sustainable growth through data-driven insights, adaptive technologies, and sectoral innovation across health, education, and agriculture. To harness this potential, PNG is set to enhance its innovation ecosystem through a cluster model, fostering local patents and startups.
This aligns with the Pacific ICT Minister’s Dialogue, cumilnating at the endorsement of the Lagatoi Declaration at last Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting , which commits PNG to drive innovation and collaborate with Pacific Island neighbors to solve real challenges using appropriate technologies like AI.
Potential ways forward may include partnering with Tsinghua and Chinese tech hubs, as well as securing innovative financing via the UN’s Global Fund on AI. This approach will address capacity gaps, promote tailored AI solutions, and position PNG as a regional leader in development during its 50th year of nationhood.