Papua New Guinea Deepens AI Partnership with China Following Tsinghua Workshop
Papua New Guinea is strengthening its collaboration with China in artificial intelligence (AI), following the recent AI Capacity Building Workshop hosted at Tsinghua University in Beijing from May 12 to 17, 2025. The initiative signals a significant step forward in PNG’s digital transformation strategy.
The workshop, which brought together delegates from nearly 40 countries, was attended by PNG’s Deputy Secretary for the Department of ICT, Mr. Russell Woruba. The event explored how AI can be a driver of national development, closely aligning with the country’s High-Level AI Strategy under the PNG Digital Government Act of 2022.
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| Papua New Guinea Deepens AI Partnership with China Following Tsinghua Workshop [Photo by DICT] |
China’s thriving AI sector, centered in Beijing, provided a compelling model for PNG’s learning and adaptation. With over 2,400 AI enterprises and 120 large language models, the Chinese ecosystem reflects four major waves of technological growth—from early knowledge-based development to today's innovation-driven commercialization.
The current fourth wave, in particular, impressed delegates with its focus on research-to-industry transition. Universities are being transformed into innovation hubs, generating startups and practical AI solutions such as TrackAI, which is used to improve access to inclusive healthcare services.
During the sessions, participants examined how AI can enhance sustainable growth across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and education through adaptive technologies and data analytics. For PNG, the discussions underscored the need to establish an innovation cluster model that encourages local patent creation and supports homegrown tech ventures.
The workshop outcomes also align with the broader goals of the Pacific ICT Minister’s Dialogue. PNG remains committed to the Lagatoi Declaration, endorsed at the last Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, which promotes regional innovation and the use of appropriate technologies to solve pressing challenges.
Looking ahead, PNG may seek partnerships with institutions such as Tsinghua University and explore innovative financing options through mechanisms like the UN’s Global Fund on AI. These collaborations aim to bridge capacity gaps, deliver customized AI solutions, and position Papua New Guinea as a digital leader in the Pacific as it marks 50 years of independence.
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