The Police Minister has urged urgent education reforms in response to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking after attending an AI-focused conference in Hong Kong, Police Minister Paula Piukala directed a strong message to Tonga’s Ministry of Education, stressing the need to prepare for sweeping technological changes.
“This is a paradigm shift that we must adapt and change our way of education toward AI. It is inevitable,” Mr Piukala told Tonga Broadcasting Commission in a recent interview.
The minister’s comments come amid growing regional discussions on how Pacific nations can remain digitally competitive in an AI-driven future. Piukala noted that many countries are already moving towards a cashless society, signalling that Tonga must not be left behind.
“Some countries are going toward [a] cashless society and Tonga is not escaping that. We have to hurry and make the necessary changes to align to the global technological developments,” he said.
The call to action places pressure on Tonga’s education system to modernise curricula and equip students with skills relevant to AI and digital economies.
Experts have highlighted that small island nations like Tonga face unique challenges in digital transitions, including infrastructure gaps and limited training resources.
However, Piukala’s remarks suggest a policy pivot may be on the horizon.
