PNG advances digital identity with AI laws, SevisPass integration, QUT partnership Papua New Guinea advances its digital transformation with a new international partnership, fresh AI‑safety reforms and deeper integration of its national digital identity system, SevisPass. Acting ICT Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jr. announced an agreement with the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), which was signed in Brisbane and witnessed by PNG Prime Minister James Marape. Tsiamalili said the partnership shows a shift from policy to implementation. He described it as the start of a long‑term effort to build a secure, sovereign and citizen‑focused digital government. The deal creates a framework for collaboration on innovation, research and capacity building, with strict safeguards to ensure all projects meet PNG’s legal and governance standards. QUT will support public‑sector innovation, strengthen the digital workforce and expand research around SevisPass and other priority initiatives. Each project will still require its own approvals to protect national interests, including rules on procurement, cybersecurity, intellectual property and data governance. Data sovereignty remains central. All digital solutions developed under the partnership must ensure PNG retains full ownership and control of government data. GenAI, identity theft, voice cloning to come under regulation The government is also moving to protect citizens from harmful uses of artificial intelligence. Tsiamalili confirmed that new laws are being drafted to address deepfakes, voice cloning and digital impersonation. He said Papua New Guineans should not have their identity “stolen and weaponized” for fraud, exploitation or intimidation. The reforms will criminalize harmful conduct such as manipulated sexual content, child exploitation, fraudulent impersonation, scams and unauthorized use of artists’ voices or images. Accountability will extend to anyone who uploads, shares or monetizes such material. Platforms and AI service providers will also face obligations to act on unlawful content. DICT is working with NICTA and the Department of Justice