Pacific leaders are urging governments and communities to prepare for the growing challenges posed by artificial intelligence and rapidly expanding digital technologies, warning that the same tools driving development are also exposing societies to new threats.
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| Pacific Leaders Sound Alarm Over AI Risks as Digital Revolution Accelerates |
The issue emerged as a key focus at the 2026 Pacific Peace and Security Dialogue, where policymakers, cybersecurity specialists and regional representatives examined the impact of digital transformation across the Pacific. While participants acknowledged the benefits of greater connectivity and technological innovation, they also highlighted mounting concerns over misinformation, online exploitation and the wellbeing of young people.
Speaking during the Society, Peace and Security panel, Kiribati's Minister for Women, Youth, Sport and Social Affairs, Ruth Cross Kwansing, described the digital age as a complex balancing act for governments and communities.
She said advances in technology have created powerful opportunities for communication, education and public engagement, but have also opened the door to harmful content and online abuse.
Kwansing pointed to a recent awareness campaign led by Miss Kiribati on teenage pregnancy as an example of how social media can be harnessed for positive social change. The initiative gained widespread attention online and demonstrated the ability of digital platforms to reach large audiences quickly.
However, she warned that the absence of stronger identity verification measures online allows malicious actors to operate with little accountability.
According to Kwansing, anonymous profiles can be used to spread false information, conduct scams and target vulnerable groups, including children. She said the challenge facing governments is ensuring that technology remains a force for progress without becoming a pathway for harm.
Australia's Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, Jessica Hunter, said the rapid expansion of internet access throughout the region has transformed the way communities interact and communicate.
She noted that digital platforms have helped connect families, amplify the voices of remote communities and create new opportunities for participation in public life. Yet the growth of connectivity has also been accompanied by a rise in harmful online experiences.
Hunter said evidence shows many children have encountered abusive material or inappropriate content online, often through interactions involving AI-powered assistants and digital companions.
To address those concerns, she outlined Australia's strategy for online safety, which focuses on prevention, protection and long-term reforms. Among the measures is Australia's move to restrict social media access for children under the age of 16, a policy she described as a world-first initiative.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea Media Council President Neville Choi called on Pacific nations to take a more active role in shaping their technological future.
Rather than relying entirely on systems developed elsewhere, Choi said Pacific countries should invest in building artificial intelligence tools that reflect local cultures, languages and values. He argued that regional knowledge and innovation could help create technologies better suited to the needs and realities of Pacific communities.
The discussion reflected a growing recognition across the Pacific that artificial intelligence is no longer a distant issue but one that is already influencing everyday life. As governments seek to harness the benefits of digital innovation, leaders at the dialogue stressed the need for safeguards that protect communities while ensuring technology continues to support development and opportunity.
“We can't keep playing by other people's rules. We need to play by our own rules in the Pacific, and I think truth, information, culture, tradition, honesty, and accountability. Those are values that we still hold,” Choi said.