In a significant address on New Year's Day 2025, the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands, Reverend David Tiva, underscored the urgent need for responsible governance of social media platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the nation. This discourse, presented via the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation, highlighted the rapid technological advancements impacting society, particularly the pervasive influence of platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, which have become integral parts of everyday life for many.
During this address, Governor-General Tiva noted the undeniable presence of AI technology within the Solomon Islands, cautioning that while it offers considerable benefits, there are also potential drawbacks that warrant careful oversight. "As a country, we must also be prepared for this [AI], which has infiltrated our society. Whilst it may have a lot of positive aspects, we must also be watchful for its negative sides," he remarked, referencing the need for vigilance as AI technologies become more commonplace in both personal and professional settings.
The Governor-General elaborated on the essence of AI, describing it as a branch of computer science dedicated to simulating human thinking through computer programs. He indicated that certain AI systems have the capability to learn from historical data, thereby enhancing their performance autonomously. "Some AI programmes can learn from the past by analysing complex sets of data and improve their performance without the help of humans to refine their programming," he stated.
Despite the advantages brought forth by AI, such as improved convenience and efficiency, Tiva acknowledged that the proliferation of AI has raised serious ethical concerns regarding its application. He further pointed out the impact of AI on education, highlighting the concerning trend among students to over-rely on technology for academic tasks: "Copy and paste has become a practice in the completion of assignments, which is a challenge to learning."
The discourse on AI and social media is ongoing and multifaceted, with diverse opinions regarding its benefits and risks. Tiva contended that the presence of AI in society is an irreversible trend, concluding, "Regardless of what one may think of the risk of using AI, no one can dispute the fact that it will be here to stay."
He urged relevant authorities to prioritise the development of policies and regulations aimed at governing the use of these technologies. He expressed concern over the unrestricted access children have to technology, cautioning, "Today, even toddlers have smartphones in their hands. We must be careful about what comes on those smartphones for our children."
In his insightful remarks, Tiva emphasised the necessity for careful regulation of information and knowledge dissemination through the internet, acknowledging the dual potential for enhancing understanding as well as misinformation. "It is an issue we now grapple with and must address to ensure that this benefits our people, rather than having a negative impact," he concluded.
The address by Governor-General Tiva serves as a significant reflection on the current landscape of technology in the Solomon Islands, marking a pivotal moment in the discourse surrounding AI and social media governance as the nation looks to navigate the complexities introduced by these technological advancements.
Source: Noah Wire Services