“The challenge is to manage the emergence of technology while maintaining a balance for society”

While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been gaining a lot of attention both in Mauritius and abroad, in 2015, French-Mauritian Ramesh Caussy helped raise the profile of this innovative technology. France presented the Diya One robot as part of the 21st session of the annual UN Climate Change Conference. Why Diya One? This is because it is the first robot with biomimetic artificial intelligence and has won 27 innovation awards on five continents, including the European Prize. Ramesh Caussy has only one wish: for the country to benefit from its technological heritage. He is ready to meet local decision-makers for this purpose.

What should Mauritius do to calmly begin the transition to a new world where innovative technologies, especially artificial intelligence, will play a decisive role?

It must build an innovative structure supported by enlightened leadership in the field of technology, which will make it possible to create new economic value with the support of technology. This is an important way to promote the country’s transition to new economic possibilities and its rebirth in a new environment. There is no question of falling behind schedule. The upcoming next general election is part of a series of unique opportunities that raise the need to provide the country with such a structure. We must create an institution that puts artificial intelligence and new technologies at the service of the economy.

This is the call I am making. I would much rather have the opportunity to think with the decision makers, to see with them what direction to choose. We must bring together the skills that we have to facilitate the transition of the country to a new world under good leadership. I do not think that we can say that such enlightened leadership exists in this country. The actors of this country have been very effective in making decisions that have led to the emergence of the world that we know today. And this world has also led us to a situation that must always be remembered and must never be forgotten. Now, for this emerging world, the transition has not been properly carried out because we have not been able to put in place people with the right skills and the leadership that is needed to develop these complex projects.

Is the country ready to take this big step?

To ensure a good transition to the era of widespread AI, we must make the right decisions and support the government. We must make progress in this area. Unfortunately, we are not moving forward. We have been talking about it for at least fifteen years. A bit too neutral: such an attitude does not always help to move things forward. Frankly speaking, the honorary knighthood awarded by France to the G20 representatives from the 19 most advanced economies of the EU, the presentation of the Diya Robotics Alliance during the last COP21, patents, research papers and even my 27 innovation awards are factors that show that I am well known enough in the world of technology.

Now is the time when I can benefit the country by being based in Mauritius and by the fruits of harvesting from other places. I definitely don’t have to be here to be recognized. I don’t think so. On the other hand, I think I can be useful to Maurice. There is a time for everything. There is also a moment when you reach a certain point – I am not 20 anymore – and the desire manifests itself in wanting to leave a legacy and a legacy after leaving this life.

What decisions must be made to make all of the measures you recommend a reality?

Artificial intelligence is developing. We have to create a body that puts AI and new technologies to the service of the economy. We see priority use. In all companies we need security, better data management and the creation of economic value from the documents and data we have. Data management in companies is an AI-supported issue. Documents have the potential to regain and create economic value. It is important for companies to properly manage their information processes and digitize their information flows so that economic value can be created, especially to meet the need for quality data in terms of decarbonization and the creation of new services and products for customers.

If, so far, it seems to you that there is a certain hesitation among decision-makers to fully commit to projects in which AI plays a major role, is this not an absolutely necessary stance to take, given the consequences of what this could lead to if things go wrong?

In this field, you have to be open to the idea of ​​making mistakes and taking risks in order to grow. It is at this strategic level that Mauritius must learn to position itself, that is, to make mistakes, learn from them, but with the determination to build its own innovative structures and leave a legacy of knowledge so that our people can be inspired by it. And help the country develop. People often know little about this issue, they are busy serving the present, teaching people how to fish, instead of building fishing rods. Countries are taking action and are already leading in these areas. Mauritius will no longer be able to focus only on tourism and traditional industries. Too much time has been wasted in this field. We can’t catch him. But we can try to go faster.

The challenge is to manage the advent of technology while maintaining a balance in society. This can only be achieved if we surround ourselves with people who have the right skills to ensure the implementation of complex projects. The Government has taken initiatives in the field of artificial intelligence. He must be congratulated for this. However, it is time to accelerate because we are not making up for lost time. We have not kept up with the rapid pace of technological development and we must accelerate with ambitious projects that will use artificial intelligence and will help build the economic future of Mauritius.

Although its appeal is actually very attractive, artificial intelligence is not a tool that we can use with our eyes closed. What are the dangers that this technology brings?

AI brings up big ethical and compliance issues. This can generate fake news. The information that AI brings is extremely violent because it is extremely effective with fake images, fake news, videos. Because we know that everyone has a smartphone, it has become their twin in terms of usage. These smartphones are now more than just tools. They are like brothers and sisters, we are connected to them, we are twins, we get information from them, but we are very vulnerable. It is a direct gateway to our brains, which allows AI to generate information processes, fake news, and the people who control these processes to lead us to sometimes very dangerous routes.

What measures do you recommend to guard against the dangers inherent in artificial intelligence?

To prevent this phenomenon from happening, it is important to have and build its own technological infrastructure, to regain digital and technological sovereignty and to build it step by step. Mauritius is neither Singapore, nor the United States, nor the People’s Republic of China. Mauritius has an asset. He has people who are willing to learn. However, it is time to direct it towards good projects and develop ambitions to implement projects of a complex nature that may take a long time to complete. These projects will allow us to gain autonomy and space for economic development and to be part of this world that is being formed by the players who hold the assets and the keys to these technologies. The state must be able to develop its independence and decision-making capacity in this process, the complexity of which is obvious or complex. Trying to convince young people and involve them in sustainable development is a good thing. However, there is an urgent need to supervise these young people to build the leadership required for the Mauritian context and its particularities. Otherwise, we will manipulate young people, try to replicate unsuitable programs and end up replicating a batch of environmental new politicians instead of seizing the possibility of creating a profitable green economic sector. We cannot ask young people to be both young and experienced. Some subjects require depth that only time and achievement can provide. We need to help young people build their technological immunity.