Minister Ramtohul Announces New AI Office and Digital Regulations

On Wednesday, May 28, the Radioplus program “Au Coeur de l’Info,” hosted by Jane Lutchmaya, focused on the urgent topic of digitizing government services in Mauritius. The discussion featured two guests: Dr. Avinash Ramtohul, Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation, and Trilok Dabeesing, IT Director at the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA).

A key subject was the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Minister Ramtohul acknowledged that Mauritius still has work to do in this area.

He announced plans to establish an “AI Office” to set standards for data collection and security.

Additionally, Minister Ramtohul mentioned the development of a “Digital Public Infrastructure” to eliminate cash payments at government offices, advocating for mobile money solutions instead.

The minister emphasized the need to regulate digital platforms such as Facebook and Google by moderating their content.

He also highlighted efforts to protect against cyberattacks through improved data governance and AI technologies.

To bolster cybersecurity, Ramtohul revealed his intention to propose amendments to the existing cybersecurity law to the Cabinet.

Mauritius Aims to Make Social Media Content More Responsible and Boost Digital Security

The government’s goal is to better regulate social media content to ensure it becomes more responsible.

While the Data Protection Act protects the country’s sovereignty over data, officials say they cannot block moderation efforts because Mauritius is part of the EU Adequacy Agreement. Foreign operators in Mauritius must follow local laws.

The minister’s vision rests on four main pillars: strengthening the foundation, developing human resources, supporting the economy and private sector, and ensuring digital sustainability.

On the foundation, the government plans to set up a high-performance data center and improve infrastructure for storing information.

Currently, not all government departments are connected, so a secure electronic connection will be introduced.

Minister Ramtohul emphasized that it’s “absurd and serious” that Mauritius lacks a backup system for major disruptions. A second site will be created as a backup to prevent data loss in emergencies.

Regarding the proposed “Super App,” the minister pointed out that citizens’ personal data is too scattered across different agencies like NLTA, Casernes, and MRA. He advocates centralizing all data through a “Citizen Data Hub” for better efficiency.

To ensure AI benefits citizens, the government recognizes the need for proper training. Minister Ramtohul said officials must be trained, despite some resistance to change.

He is confident that adoption will happen naturally over time. He emphasized that Mauritius cannot afford to fall behind in the AI revolution, as the country is already part of the global digital landscape.

Another key project is introducing AI in primary schools. Starting from the first year of primary education, the goal is to prepare Generation Alpha to be comfortable with AI tools.

Older generations first mastered analog, then digital, and now the new generation should be fluent from the start.

Training programs for civil servants will also be introduced through online courses, videos, and workshops, to help them integrate AI into their daily work.

Ramtohul warned that those who don’t adopt AI risk falling behind, but organic adoption is expected to grow naturally.

The director of ICTA’s IT department also called for removing taxes on equipment used in schools to facilitate AI learning from an early age.

He suggested that reducing fiscal barriers could attract more foreign investors to Mauritius through tax incentives.

Dabeesing stressed that AI must be used responsibly, emphasizing three core principles: fairness, responsibility, and transparency. He warned against unregulated centralization of technology.

Overall, the ICTA director expressed confidence that the government’s blueprint aligns with the right direction to accelerate digital transformation across the country.

Source: Defi Media