Pacific Group AI Delivers Strategic AI Session at Pacific Islands Investment Forum 2026 CEO Forum
Pacific Group AI Delivers Strategic AI Session at Pacific Islands Investment Forum 2026 CEO Forum.
People-first approach to AI transformation gaining traction across the Pacific region
Vanuatu, May 2026 — Pacific Group AI, the Pacific's first AI transformation agency, was invited to deliver a strategic AI session at the Pacific Islands Investment Forum (PIIF) CEO Forum in Vanuatu this month, presenting to CEOs, board members, investment managers and dignitaries from across the region.
The session focused on what responsible AI adoption actually looks like for Pacific organisations — how to build internal capability, how to protect the people inside these institutions, and how to ensure the region's approach to AI reflects Pacific values, not imported ones.
The gap between adoption and impact is real
The timing of this session could not be more relevant. According to McKinsey's 2025 State of AI report, only 5.5% of organisations are seeing real financial returns from their AI investments, despite near-universal adoption. The AI adoption enterprise gap is not a technology problem. It is a leadership and operating model problem. CoLabLibertify
AI won't create enterprise value by itself. Companies succeed not because of better models, but because of better management discipline. AI is 20% algorithms, 80% organisational rewiring. Digitalstrategy-ai
This is the reality Pacific Group AI has been working against since its founding. The tools are widely available. What Pacific organisations need is the capability, confidence and context to use them well.
A proven approach, built for the Pacific
Pacific Group AI's methodology is grounded in one principle: people first. AI should make Pacific teams more capable, not redundant. Every training session, audit and custom development engagement is designed around the specific context of the organisation, the country and the people inside it.
The results to date reflect this approach. Over 400 professionals have been upskilled across Cook Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu. More than $800,000 in annual productivity value has been established across trained organisations. AI audits completed to date have identified over $200,000 in projected savings for Pacific organisations.
These are not global benchmarks applied to a Pacific context. They are Pacific numbers, from Pacific organisations, delivered by a Pacific-founded agency.
Why the Pacific cannot afford to get this wrong
The people in the room at the PIIF CEO Forum collectively represent the financial welfare of millions across the Pacific region. Investment funds, sovereign wealth pools, government enterprises and private sector organisations whose decisions shape livelihoods across island communities.
How these institutions adopt AI is not a technology question. It is a question of leadership, values and long-term resilience. An AI approach that prioritises headcount reduction over capability building may deliver short-term savings, but it erodes the trust and institutional knowledge that Pacific organisations depend on.
Pacific Group AI's position is clear: the Pacific has a real opportunity to adopt this technology on its own terms, in a way that strengthens organisations and the people inside them. That opportunity is available now, and it will not wait.
About Pacific Group AI
Pacific Group AI is the Pacific's first AI transformation agency, founded and led by Tayla Beddoes and headquartered in Rarotonga, Cook Islands. The agency operates across Cook Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu, delivering AI training, AI audits and custom AI development for government, enterprise and community organisations across the region. Pacific Group AI's approach is grounded in the belief that AI transformation in the Pacific must be built by Pacific people, for Pacific people.
For media enquiries or to learn more, visit pacificgroup.ai or contact hello@pacificgroup.ai
