What You Need to Know
Minister of Information Technology, Dr Avinash Ramtohul, launched his book on ethical AI governance in Mauritius, emphasizing the need for responsible technology use. The publication aims to enhance public service delivery while safeguarding democratic principles, drawing on international regulatory experiences to propose actionable recommendations for Mauritius.
Africa-Press – Mauritius. Safeguarding Democracy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence – AIRA: Who Serves Whom?, authored by the Minister of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, Dr Avinash Ramtohul, was officially launched yesterday in Réduit in presence of the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Mr Dharambeer Gokhool.
The launching ceremony was attended by several personalities including the Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, Mr Arvin Boolell; the Minister of Land Transport, Mr Mahomed Osman Cassam Mahomed; the Minister of Tertiary Education, Science and Research, Dr Kaviraj Sharma Sukon; as well as the Attorney General, Mr Gavin Patrick Cyril Glover; and the Junior Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Hambyrajen Narsinghen.
In his address, President Gokhool congratulated Minister Ramtohul for authoring a publication that provides an international perspective on AI governance initiatives and proposes a structured and coordinated framework aimed at improving public service delivery and strengthening national resilience. According to him, the book provides a reflection on how Mauritius can harness innovation responsibly while safeguarding the core principles of democracy in the age of artificial intelligence.
Highlighting the increasing accessibility of AI tools, the President emphasised the importance of inclusivity, stressing that no segment of the population should be left behind, including the elderly who must also be supported and empowered to benefit from digital advancements.
President Gokhool outlined several key initiatives undertaken as part of Mauritius’ digital transformation agenda, including the setting up of an interministerial committee which meets regularly to address bottlenecks and ensure alignment of projects with strategic objectives of the Blueprint, the setting up of an AI Unit within the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation, as well as digital transformation initiatives in the health and education sector.
The President called for continued ethical advancement in this era of intelligent systems while adding that technology must serve humanity and not cause harm.
Minister Ramtohul elaborated on the journey behind the publication, noting that the book examines the expanding role of AI in public administration and democratic decision-making. Drawing on regulatory experiences from the European Union and the United Kingdom, it provides a comparative analysis of how democratic states are seeking to govern intelligent systems while upholding rights, transparency and accountability, he mentioned.
Dr Ramtohul explained that the publication proposes foundational principles and actionable recommendations to help Mauritius developing its regulatory framework. Through this work, he stressed the importance of putting in place legal and institutional boundaries to ensure that technologies are developed and deployed responsibly.
The rise of artificial intelligence has prompted governments worldwide to consider ethical frameworks for its governance. In Mauritius, the government is actively pursuing digital transformation initiatives to ensure that technology serves the public good. This includes establishing committees and units focused on integrating AI into public administration responsibly, reflecting a global trend towards ethical AI governance.
As AI tools become increasingly accessible, the challenge lies in ensuring inclusivity and protecting democratic values. The publication by Minister Ramtohul aims to contribute to this discourse by providing insights and recommendations tailored to Mauritius’ unique socio
