Papua New Guinea, 8 October 2026

Commonwealth of Learning-Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (COL-CEMCA) launched the Papua New Guinea Cohort of the Commonwealth Student Community for AI Governance through a virtual convening, bringing together students from diverse disciplines across the country to discuss the opportunities, challenges and governance priorities shaping the country’s AI landscape.

In his address, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, linked AI governance with Papua New Guinea’s national development priorities, including PNG Vision 2050 and the National Digital Transformation Plan. He highlighted challenges relating to electricity, digital connectivity, device access, local AI skills and the availability of datasets in the country’s many languages. He also emphasised the need for AI governance approaches that reflect Papua New Guinea’s cultural and linguistic diversity, protect data sovereignty and support responsible AI adoption.

Through four group discussions, students examined issues including unequal digital access, low AI literacy, academic integrity, misinformation, data protection and the need for clearer rules governing AI use in educational institutions. Their recommendations included developing an AI governance framework, strengthening AI literacy, promoting responsible AI use in schools and universities, and supporting locally developed AI solutions that reflect Papua New Guinea’s languages and cultural contexts.

The discussions also identified opportunities for students to take an active role in shaping the country’s AI future through peer-led workshops, university AI clubs, inter-university collaboration, policy briefs and contributions to the proposed national AI strategy. Dr. Shadrach encouraged students to sustain their engagement and bring Papua New Guinea’s perspectives into wider Commonwealth discussions on AI governance.

The launch marks a step towards empowering young people in Papua New Guinea by establishing a student-led platform for dialogue, collaboration and policy engagement, while fostering connections with peers across the Commonwealth