As part of the AI Impact Summit 2026, being held from 16 to 20 January in New Delhi under the theme “AI for All”, a Side Event bringing together stakeholders to discuss the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Mauritius was organised, yesterday, in Réduit.
This initiative jointly organised by the High Commission of India, and the University of Mauritius and the Indian Business Council in Mauritius provided a platform to explore opportunities, challenges, and responsible approaches to AI adoption and development.
The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sukon; the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr Avinash Ramtohul; the High Commissioner of India to Mauritius, Mr Anurag Srivastava; and other personalities were present.
In his address, Dr Sukon highlighted the rapid evolution of ICT and the transformative role of AI. He emphasised AI’s potential to enhance the education sector by providing personalised support to students, tailored to their individual learning needs. He also stressed the importance of preparing the tertiary education sector to meet future demands. He acknowledged that while AI may lead to the obsolescence of certain jobs, it will also create new opportunities requiring adaptation and skill development.
Minister Ramtohul underscored the strategic importance of AI in advancing Mauritius’ digital transformation agenda. He introduced the Digital Interactive Virtual Assistant (DIVA) as a human-centred AI tool designed to assist citizens in navigating public services, accessing information, and making informed decisions. “DIVA will guide, advise, listen, and respond in a way that is contextual, inclusive, and human-centric,” the Minister stated.
He further pointed out that Government is currently preparing a National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence alongside a comprehensive set of guidelines to govern AI development and usage. Dr Ramtohul reiterated Government’s commitment to implementing AI across public service in a responsible and structured manner, including the establishment of a dedicated AI Unit; ongoing engagement with private sector partners; and the development of practical AI Playbooks with defined use cases for both public and private sectors.
The High Commissioner Srivastava, for his part, spoke on the global impact of AI and reaffirmed India’s continued support to Mauritius in harnessing AI for national development. He also noted the strengthening of bilateral cooperation through various Memoranda of Understanding aimed at supporting Mauritius’ growth and innovation goals.
Source: GIS
Dated: 22 January 2026
