The growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on education, employment and society was at the centre of discussions during the Youth Convention 2026 held, on Saturday 08 August 2026, at the Polytechnics Mauritius Ltd Montagne Blanche Campus. Organised by the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation under the theme ‘Your Next Move-AI’, the Convention aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with AI and other emerging technologies.
The Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon; the Minister of Education and Human Resource, Dr Mahend Gungapersad; the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr Avinash Ramtohul; as well as students, educators, industry leaders, policymakers and other personalities, were present on the occasion.
In his keynote address, Dr Sukon highlighted the rapid evolution of technology and the potential of AI to improve productivity and effectiveness. He noted that everyday tools such as Excel and PowerPoint can become more effective when used with AI prompts, and called on universities and higher education institutions to adapt their curricula to equip students with relevant AI skills and competencies.
Minister Sukon also underlined the importance of stronger collaboration between academia and industry to prepare students for a changing labour market. Referring to the introduction of micro-credentials, he explained that these allow learners to acquire specific skills through short courses that can be accumulated towards qualifications. While AI may transform certain jobs, he highlighted that it also offers opportunities for new employment and urged young people to acquire the skills needed to adapt to its rapid development.
For his part, Dr Ramtohul observed that AI is already transforming society and will increasingly influence the way people work, communicate and interact. He pointed out that the strong emphasis placed on AI in Budget 2026-2027 reflects Government’s commitment to preparing the country for this transformation, while the Youth Convention provides young people with an opportunity to understand the benefits and challenges of AI and how to start using the technology.
In line with this vision, Minister Ramtohul announced that AI modules will be included in all university courses, regardless of the field of study. He urged young people to develop AI skills early, noting that the technology will be increasingly relevant across professions, and reaffirmed Mauritius’ ambition to remain competitive in the region through the adoption of AI.
Date: 10 August 2026
Source: GIS News