BeBuilder #8252
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Priscilla Kevin, PNG ICT Tech Coalition chair, had a chat with Pacific Islands AI about AI’s future in the Pacific, as well as her own personal journey in the Tech world!
In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide, some visionary leaders in the Pacific Islands are leveraging this technology in highly productive ways. One such trailblazer is Ms. Priscilla Kevin, a Papua New Guinea (PNG) tech entrepreneur and co-founder of the PNG Digital ICT Cluster. With 25 years of experience in the tech industry, Ms. Kevin is not only a pioneer but also an inspiration. In an exclusive interview with Augustine Minimbi for Pacificislands.ai, she shared her journey and insights on how AI can empower the region, offering a template for others to follow.
Ms. Kevin’s passion for technology began at PNG University of Technology, where she graduated in 2000 with a degree in computer science with merit —a field then emerging in PNG. “I loved mathematics,” she recalls, “and I saw computing as something new and exciting.” Her career spans public and private sectors, and today, she runs a tech consulting firm specializing in enterprise resource planning, supporting a South African financial manufacturing distribution system recently acquired by a U.S. company. This blend of global expertise and local impact underscores her forward-thinking approach.
Learning Faster in a Connected Pacific
When asked about AI’s relevance for PNG and the Pacific, Ms. Kevin highlights its potential to democratize knowledge. “One of the biggest issues is the lack of understanding of laws and rights,” she explains. “AI can mine data and break down complex legal concepts into simple terms for ordinary citizens.” She envisions AI as a tool to enhance democratic participation, a perspective that sets her apart as a leader who sees technology as a means to empower, not just automate.
Personally, Ms. Kevin uses AI to accelerate her work. “I rely on it for high-level summaries of complex concepts,” she says, emphasizing its role in speeding up learning and adaptation. However, she’s cautious about privacy, noting, “AI learns about you as you use it. I’m careful about what I input.” This balance of enthusiasm and responsibility reflects a model others can emulate—using AI productively while safeguarding personal and cultural integrity.
Shaping Tomorrow with Bold Determination
Breaking into the male-dominated tech space posed challenges, but Ms. Kevin reframes the narrative. “I don’t like the term ‘male-dominated,’” she asserts. “It’s about putting your hand up and saying, ‘I can participate.’” Joining a startup early in her career exposed her to global software trends, and her experience with exceptional mentors played a crucial role in preparing her for significant positions, including board roles. Her success story demonstrates how determination and collaboration can pave the way for women in tech across the Pacific.
Ms. Kevin identifies infrastructure and investment as the region’s biggest hurdles to AI adoption. “We still run on 2G and 3G in rural areas,” she notes, “and we lack investment in research and development, and talent.” Yet, she sees opportunity: “We can’t just be consumers of technology; we need to innovate.” Her leadership in founding the PNG Digital ICT Cluster in 2014 exemplifies this proactive stance, fostering dialogue among private sector, government, and academia to shape the ICT landscape.
Keeping Our Culture in the Digital Age
For Ms. Kevin, AI’s greatest potential lies in education and supporting renewal sectors like Agriculture. “AI can help citizens leapfrog in learning,” she says, imagining a shift from textbooks to digital tools that accelerate education. In agriculture and fisheries—key economic drivers—she sees AI boosting productivity and social progress. However, she stresses the need for cultural sensitivity, warning that without robust intellectual property laws, Pacific identities risk exploitation by global AI models. “We need our own tech frameworks,” Ms. Kevin urges, a call to action for regional innovation.
Looking ahead, Ms. Kevin hopes AI will empower Pacific education within a decade. “Learning environments are changing,” she observes. Children today grow up surrounded by technology, with tablets and phones often replacing traditional textbooks in their learning experience. Her advice to young Pacific Islanders? “The world is at your fingertips. Use the internet to learn, build skills, and become employable—locally or globally.”
A Blueprint for Progress
Ms. Priscilla Kevin’s journey—from a curious student to a tech visionary—offers a powerful example of how AI can uplift the Pacific. Her practical use of AI, combined with her advocacy for education, infrastructure, and cultural preservation, is both inspiring and actionable. As co-founder of the PNG Digital ICT Cluster, Ms. Kevin isn’t just adapting to change; she’s shaping it. For communities across the Pacific Islands, her approach serves as a blueprint: embrace technology with purpose, protect what’s unique, and build a future where everyone thrives. Ms. Kevin’s story is a clarion call—proof that innovation, led by voices like hers, can light the way forward.
Ms Kevin, standing third from left first row, at the Governance of AI Dialogue in 2020. She believes that AI’s best shot in the Pacific is its accessibility to marginalised people, such as the differently abled in this picture.
Addendum: Ms. Priscilla Kevin’s Insights on AI in the Pacific
Below are edited excerpts from my interview with Ms. Priscilla Kevin, PNG tech entrepreneur and co-founder of the PNG Digital ICT Cluster, offering a deeper look into her thoughts on AI’s role in the Pacific.
Q: What drew you to computer science, and what was the defining moment that made you realize it was your calling?
A: “I loved mathematics since high school and saw computing as an emerging field in PNG when I started at PNG University of Technology in 1997. My defining moment was realizing computer science combined my passion for math with something new and exciting—especially when I learned the internet had just arrived in PNG in 1993, and we were among the first to use it.”
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced breaking into and excelling in the tech space?
A: “As pioneer students, we lacked role models, but joining a startup exposed me to global tech early on. I don’t see it as ‘male-dominated’—it’s about stepping up. The challenge was shifting perceptions; initially, ICT was a cost center, not a strategic asset. Founding the PNG Digital ICT Cluster in 2014 with another female computer scientist faced gender bias, but male mentors and recognition from private sector, government, and academia helped us overcome that.”
Q: How do you see AI’s relevance for PNG and the Pacific Islands as a whole?
A: “AI can address our lack of understanding of laws and rights by simplifying complex legal data for citizens. It’s a tool to empower democratic participation and education, breaking down barriers with its ability to process and present information in layman’s terms—beyond just robotics or automation.”
Q: How do you personally use AI in your daily profession and life?
A: “I use AI for quick summaries of complex concepts to speed up my research and learning. I’m cautious about privacy, though—AI learns about you, so I limit what I input, focusing on its intended purpose rather than over-relying on it.”
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges for AI adoption in the region?
A: “Critical infrastructure is the top issue—rural areas still use 2G and 3G, limiting access. Second is the lack of investment in research, development, and talent. We’re mostly consumers, not innovators, of tech, and without direction, we risk falling behind.”
Q: What has the PNG Digital ICT Cluster done to address AI in PNG?
A: “AI is new and disruptive, and we lack governance for it—like for blockchain or crypto. The Cluster pushes for political will to prioritize tech, but the local ICT industry remains fragmented. We need all stakeholders—government, private sector—to map a clear path forward.”
Q: What would you say to opinions that AI use in the Pacific is fractured, with individuals already using it for their own ends?
A: “AI’s already here, bringing both benefits and risks like misinformation. Without laws on data security, job displacement, and cultural adaptation, it’s hard to manage—especially with sensitive content. Lawmakers must act to balance its use.”
Q: What are some potential AI use cases that would bring the most value to PNG and the Pacific?
A: “AI in education could accelerate learning, shifting from textbooks to digital tools. It needs infrastructure, though—especially with labor mobility draining rural talent. Agriculture and fisheries could also benefit, driving economic and social progress.”
Q: Which specific sectors could AI most meaningfully impact for economic and social progress in the region?
A: “First, AI can educate citizens on laws and rights, creating accessible content like e-books or blogs. Second, agriculture and fisheries—our biggest economic sectors—could see huge gains in productivity and employment with AI, if frameworks support it.”
Q: Do you think AI solutions will respect Pacific Island identities and traditions?
A: “Not without strong intellectual property laws. Our designs are already exploited globally, and AI could worsen that. We need Pacific-led tech frameworks to protect our identities, but we’re not there yet.”
Q: Do you feel the world will evolve into a single AI monoculture, or will it remain unique?
A: “No monoculture—humans have a creative soul machines can’t replicate. AI reflects what we feed it, so we must carefully shape the data representing our cultures and ideologies.”
Q: Could AI be leveraged to preserve Pacific languages, traditional knowledge, or cultural heritage?
A: “Yes, with the right framework and regional will—like the Pacific Islands Forum’s e-commerce strategy. AI could preserve languages and culture, but it needs government support.”
Q: How can the Pacific ensure AI benefits reach rural communities and don’t widen the digital divide?
A: “We need basics—internet, power, roads—and affordable tech like Starlink (Leo technologies) to reach rural areas. Without strategic directives from the top, the divide stays wide.”
Q: How can governments, businesses, and tech professionals ensure ethical, sustainable, and beneficial AI implementation?
A: “A regional roadmap, like the Pacific Islands Forum model, is key. Governments must lead with policy, but in PNG, we lack clear directives. Collaboration across sectors is essential.”
Q: What would you hope to see for AI in the Pacific in 5 to 10 years?
A: “I’d hope for AI to empower education, adapting to a internet led, smart device-driven, click-generation learning environment. Without change now, we’ll lag behind emerging tech like Web 4.”
Q: What advice would you give young Pacific Islanders wanting to enter AI, tech, and ICT fields?
A: “The world’s at your fingertips—use the internet to learn, build skills, and boost your CV. You can work globally from PNG with the right knowledge.”
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: “In our communal Pacific culture, share knowledge with family. I’ve trained my family siblings in tech, and they’ve enriched their employability and potentials. That’s how we grow together.”
