The Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, said it has been three months since the launch of a transformative new Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered analysis engine integrated into Papua New Guinea’s existing e-Visa platform, which has resulted in more efficiency in the system. Mr. Rosso said the home-grown AI-powered analysis engine was developed by a local PNG-based company working in partnership with the Immigration and Citizenship Service Authority (ICSA). The module is specifically designed for document analysis and compliance assessment of short-term, lower-risk visa applications, and has already processed over 40,000 documents, surpassing initial expectations of both ICSA and the Minister himself. Processing times have drastically reduced from over two weeks to less than two minutes for more than 95 percent of the applicants. "The performance of this technology has exceeded all expectations. The remarkable results in efficiency and accuracy prove this system is ready for broader deployment," Mr. Rosso, who is also responsible for the Ministry for Immigration and Border Security, said. He said this cutting-edge module employs sophisticated AI to rapidly analyze submitted documents against PNG’s immigration laws and policies, automatically identifying potential compliance issues and providing instant feedback to applicants. Mr. Rosso confirmed plans to expand this proven technology to process work permits and work visa applications, with implementation scheduled for late July. He also announced intentions to leverage similar AI-driven efficiencies in passport processing. He said ICSA is actively improving the border management systems and exploring enhancements to integrated border management capabilities. “These improvements will further strengthen ICSA’s ability to detect and track illegal and unwanted visitors, ensuring comprehensive oversight of visitor activities in the country.” “Globally, other countries use similar platforms, but ours has been uniquely trained and tailored specifically for Papua New Guinea's particular needs and business processes.” “As far as we know, this represents the first deployment of AI in a government production environment within the Pacific Island region—a milestone we are incredibly proud of." "We have achieved substantial efficiency dividends, significantly reducing friction for legitimate travellers and enhancing the attractiveness of Papua New Guinea as a destination for tourism and business." "At the same time, our border security and scrutiny capabilities have been strengthened dramatically, ensuring we welcome legitimate visitors while effectively deterring illegal entries.” Mr. Rosso said these advancements position Papua New Guinea as a regional leader in government digital transformation, making our immigration processes quicker, more transparent, and secure.