Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan has called for global artificial intelligence (AI) governance that prioritises inclusion and delivers tangible benefits for small island developing states, stressing that AI should be used to improve public services rather than pursue technological prestige.

Speaking at an international forum, Minister Ihusaan said the future of AI would ultimately be judged by whether it serves countries such as the Maldives, where communities are dispersed across more than a thousand islands. He emphasised that access to quality public services should not depend on how far citizens live from the capital.

The Minister said the Maldives views AI as part of its broader Maldives 2.0 digital transformation roadmap, built on strong digital public infrastructure, trusted data, cybersecurity and clear governance. He noted that without these foundations, AI risks widening inequalities by benefiting only institutions with existing capabilities.

Highlighting the country's progress, Minister Ihusaan said the Maldives had completed South Asia's first national AI Readiness Assessment in partnership with UNESCO. He also pointed to the establishment of the Maldives AI Lab, formally known as the National AI and Data Competency Centre, to strengthen coordinated AI development and governance across government.

The Minister outlined three priorities for countries adopting AI: investing in digital foundations rather than focusing solely on applications, making long-term investments in skills and institutional capacity, and ensuring interoperability to support secure, sovereign and scalable digital systems.

Concluding his address, Minister Ihusaan said the success of global AI governance should be measured by whether governments in small and remote island nations can deploy AI safely and effectively for their people. He urged leading technology nations to ensure AI becomes a bridge that expands opportunity rather than a barrier that deepens global divides.