In a significant stride toward harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for governance, the Commonwealth Secretariat, in partnership with Intel Corporation, introduced the StrategusAI toolkit in August. This innovative AI-driven tool aims to assist member governments in navigating the complexities and seizing the opportunities presented by AI technology.
A New Era of AI-Driven Policy Development
StrategusAI represents a landmark achievement for the Policy Development Working Group within the Commonwealth AI Consortium, particularly championed by the Government of Rwanda. The development, testing, and refinement of this toolkit have been ongoing for several months, all with the goal of narrowing the digital divide and bolstering economic resilience across Commonwealth nations.
The tool will initially be piloted in Fiji and Brunei Darussalam before being made accessible to all 56 member states of the Commonwealth. This phased rollout is expected to provide valuable insights that will refine the toolkit’s application across diverse political and economic landscapes.
Rwanda’s Minister of ICT and Innovation, Her Excellency Paula Ingabire, underscored the importance of AI during a virtual address at the launch. She stated, “Artificial intelligence is now recognized as a critical technology that will significantly impact societies. For that, all countries must start to equip themselves with the right strategies to enable them to harness the potential of AI, while at the same time addressing the potential risks.”
StrategusAI: A Tool for Empowering Governance
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, the RT. Patricia Scotland KC, also emphasized the strategic role of AI in her remarks. She highlighted the Secretariat’s commitment to helping member states develop strategies and programs that leverage AI to augment human capabilities rather than replace them. Scotland stressed that AI has the potential to assist in areas such as healthcare and education, especially in rural communities, by providing tailored services that were previously inaccessible.
“AI can help rural communities in small states, which have traditionally been prevented from accessing high-quality healthcare expertise or personalized education, and enjoy really tailored, personalized services in a way we’ve never seen before. And this is transformational,” she remarked.
The introduction of StrategusAI is expected to significantly reduce the cost and time associated with developing government policies. Typically, creating a single policy or strategy can cost between US$250,000 to US$1.5 million in consulting fees and take up to a year, excluding the implementation phases. With StrategusAI, this process is anticipated to become more cost-effective and efficient.
Strengthening Public Sector Leadership
Intel’s involvement in the development of StrategusAI builds on its existing partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, particularly in demystifying AI for senior officials across the Commonwealth. This collaboration has raised awareness of AI’s potential applications across various sectors, and StrategusAI represents a further step in empowering public sector leaders.
Sarah Kemp, Vice President of International Government Affairs at Intel, spoke to the vast capabilities of AI during the launch. “We know that the vast potential of AI lies in its ability to process and analyze immense amounts of data far beyond human capacity. StrategusAI harnesses this capability to synthesize and evaluate extensive data from the shortlisted documents that you select. The algorithm has been trained so that users can assess high-quality insights and existing frameworks and add country-specific documents to generate their own tailored outcomes,” Kemp explained.
The launch event also featured remarks from several key stakeholders, including His Excellency Vikram Doraiswami, High Commissioner of India to the UK; His Excellency Jovilisi Suveinakama, High Commissioner of Fiji to the UK; and Dr. Norfarizal Othman, Director-General, Public Service Department, Prime Minister’s Office, Brunei Darussalam. Additionally, Intel’s Shweta Khurana, Director APJ – Government Partnerships and Initiatives, offered her insights on the toolkit’s potential.
From the Commonwealth Secretariat, Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo, Assistant Secretary-General Professor Luis Franceschi, and Senior Director of Trade, Oceans, and Natural Resources Suresh Yadav—whose team played a pivotal role in developing the toolkit—provided their perspectives on its relevance and significance for the Commonwealth.
The Role of the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium
The Commonwealth Secretary-General has consistently advocated for the adoption of advanced technology across all member states. In 2023, this vision led to the formation of the Commonwealth Artificial Intelligence Consortium (CAIC), which includes representatives from leading global tech firms, research institutions, and non-profit organizations. The consortium, comprising ten Commonwealth member countries, including Rwanda, is tasked with championing AI innovation both within their borders and throughout the Commonwealth.
The development of the StrategusAI toolkit also benefited from the guidance of organizations such as Oxford Insights, Sustainable Living Lab, and policymakers from several Commonwealth nations, who contributed to its design and functionality. This collective effort underscores the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring that AI serves as a force for good, fostering innovation and progress across its member states.
