Google’s Top Exec to Unveil AI’s Potential at Fiji’s Business Awards

Brian Quigley, Google’s Vice President of Global Network Infrastructure and Chairman of the Pacific Connect Initiative, is currently visiting Fiji. He is set to be the keynote speaker at the upcoming Prime Minister’s International Business Awards (PMIBA) taking place tomorrow evening.

According to Investment Fiji, the organizer of this esteemed business event, Quigley will discuss the transformative effects of artificial intelligence, emphasizing its potential as a game-changer for the future.

Google is spearheading a significant $1 billion initiative aimed at enhancing connectivity between the U.S. mainland and Japan, which includes the Pacific Connect Initiative. This project will establish new undersea telecommunications cables, namely Honomoana and Tabua, with the latter designed to link Fiji to Australia and the U.S. mainland.

This past June, Google entered into a partnership with the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) during the inaugural Investor Forum of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in Singapore. This partnership promises to expand Google’s Pacific Connect initiative into Fiji.

A government statement at that time highlighted several key collaborative areas:

1. **Pacific Connectivity**: Google and its partners aim to enhance internet accessibility, resilience, and reliability for Pacific nations via a series of submarine cables.

2. **Green ICT Capabilities in Fiji**: The collaboration includes plans for a green Information and Communication Technology (ICT) park in Fiji, which will accommodate the FinTel Pacific Connect Internet Exchange, among other essential facilities.

3. **Fostering a Data-Driven Ecosystem**: Both Google and FNPF recognize the vital role of data as an asset for economic development and innovation. They are committed to enhancing access to data center capabilities for Fijians and other Pacific Island countries, collaborating with respective governments to support this initiative.

This initiative marks a hopeful step towards improved digital infrastructure and economic opportunities for Fiji and the broader Pacific region. The advances in connectivity and technological growth highlighted by Quigley’s visit could foster significant progress in various sectors, propelling the region into a new era of innovation.