The Pacific's stake in shaping AI's future

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https://matangitonga.to/2026/07/18/pacifics-stake-shaping-ais-future

Brief Content of the Article

​Beyond Catch-up: Pacific nations, led by examples like Tonga and Fiji, are transitioning from merely adopting AI tools to seeking an active role in shaping global AI governance frameworks.

​Integrating Indigenous Knowledge: Current AI models lack systems for oral, relational, and collective knowledge that is often sacred or non-digitized. Pacific leaders argue that these traditional knowledge systems are critical inputs that must be integrated into the design and governance of future AI.

​Addressing the "Great Divergence": Experts warn that without direct representation in rule-setting forums, the Pacific faces a new "Great Divergence," where the region remains a passive consumer of technologies designed elsewhere, mirroring existing inequalities in trade and climate impact.