Maldives Hosts Inaugural AI Forum to Drive National Resilience and Digital Transformation

Maldives AI Forum 2024 was held successfully yesterday at CROSSROADS Maldives, bringing together stakeholders from government, industry, academia, and civil society to discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainable development. Organized by OXIQA, this inaugural event underscored the Maldives’ commitment to harnessing AI for economic growth, climate resilience, and digital inclusion.

The day-long forum was inaugurated by Mr. Mohamed Nasih, President of the Civil Service Commission, who highlighted AI's critical role in addressing unique national challenges, such as geographical dispersion, economic dependency on tourism, and climate vulnerability. Opening remarks were given by Mr. Enrico Gaveglia, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to the Maldives.

The forum featured insights from five prominent keynote speakers:

Mr. Ismail Kaleem, Managing Director of OXIQA, presented on AI’s opportunities and challenges for enhancing resilience.
Mr. Mohamed Nasih underscored AI's potential to drive innovation in the public sector.
Mr. Ali Riyaz, Chief Commercial Officer of Dhiraagu, shared insights on commercial AI applications within the Maldives.
Ms. Eunsong Kim, from UNESCO New Delhi, spoke on the ethical considerations and responsibilities in AI.
Ms. Mehnaz Ansari, from the US Trade and Development Agency, emphasized digital collaboration through AI.
The forum showcased nine innovative AI solutions from international and local companies, including Microsoft, SentinelOne, and local firms like STO and Javaabu, focusing on areas such as cybersecurity, software development, and digital transformation.

The event featured three panel discussions on critical topics:

AI and Economic Diversification: Examining AI's role in diversifying the Maldives’ economy.
AI and Cybersecurity: Addressing how AI can strengthen digital defense.
AI and the Digital Divide: Exploring equitable access to AI technologies for all Maldivians.
With 28 speakers from over 20 organizations and over 120 attendees, the forum demonstrated broad interest across industries, government agencies, and development organizations.

The theme, “Building National Resilience through AI,” reflects the Maldives’ vision of leveraging AI to enhance economic stability, foster sustainable development, and promote digital inclusion. OXIQA plans to hold annual events, positioning the Maldives as a leader in AI-driven innovation and ensuring AI benefits all Maldivians.

The Maldives AI Forum 2024 was organized by OXIQA in partnership with Roseware Corporation and Maldives Islamic Bank.

For more information, please visit www.aiforum.mv.