Fiji, Sept. 18 -- The creator of Pasifika AI says the biggest risk in developing Pacific-focused artificial intelligence without formal community ownership is that the technology could eventually become an unofficial authority on Pacific people and cultures without anyone having agreed to that role.

Kevyn Wahuzue, creator of Pasifika AI and founder of Kanaky Tech, said he has deliberately stated that the project has no institutional partner or community mandate because its availability alone could give it an authority it has not been granted.

"The risk is real and it is not hypothetical.

"A tool that speaks about a people without their mandate can become a de facto reference simply by being available and convenient.

"Convenience is au...