The newly inaugurated AI Hub by KPMG at Garden City in Suva represents a pivotal development in the technological landscape of professional services in Fiji and the South Pacific. This initiative extends KPMG Enterprise’s Fiji Dynamix, which is based in Nadi, and aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the firm’s operations and client services.
John Munnelly, chief digital officer at KPMG Australia, along with Lisa Apted, managing partner at KPMG Fiji, spoke to the media about the hub’s objectives and functionalities. Their vision extends beyond innovation within the company, focusing on empowering local talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation.
Munnelly emphasized that KPMG’s approach to AI is bold, rapid, and responsible, aiming to integrate AI across all operations while remaining at the forefront of the industry. The plan involves creating solutions designed to enhance productivity and streamline internal and client-facing operations in sectors such as education, health, and finance.
Apted described the AI Hub as groundbreaking, offering opportunities for local teams to be leaders in developing AI programs. She highlighted the objective of building capabilities not only for KPMG’s benefit but also to elevate the local workforce’s engagement with advanced technology.
The hub is set to address around 80 use cases within the next few months, ranging from research tools to automated proposal writing solutions. Munnelly noted that their goal is to redefine traditional workflows through innovative tools that drive productivity.
Notably, the hub is developing internal tools like KPMG’s own version of ChatGPT, called Kim Chat, which enhances information retrieval and knowledge sharing within the organization. Both executives underscored the importance of attracting and nurturing local talent, citing Fiji’s enthusiastic young professionals as a key asset.
The KPMG leaders expressed excitement about the career development prospects the AI Hub offers to young Fijians. They plan to expand the team and are committed to providing valuable learning experiences and skills relevant to global projects.
Collaboration is central to the hub’s strategy, as they intend to partner with local universities to pave pathways into technology careers, with a particular focus on encouraging women to pursue roles in tech. Munnelly mentioned that the company recently conducted a session aimed at inspiring young women to join their workforce.
Training remains a top priority, with KPMG developing 130 AI-related courses for employees. Munnelly also stressed the importance of integrating ethical considerations into AI development, implementing a governance framework for assessing new tools before they are employed.
Despite the promising outlook, Munnelly acknowledged the challenges ahead, particularly the necessity of ongoing training and adaptation as technology evolves. The hub will measure its success through digital full-time equivalent metrics, assessing the efficiency and time-saving capabilities of its AI tools.
Looking to the future, both Munnelly and Apted are optimistic about the potential of the KPMG AI Hub. They believe that the raw talent in Fiji has significant promise and that the foundation laid by this initiative could lead to broader expansions as the demand for AI solutions increases. Apted is confident that the AI Hub will not only transform KPMG’s operations but also significantly influence the tech landscape in Fiji, describing the initiative as a game changer for the local community and economy.