Human Prosecutors to Retain Final Authority as PGO Integrates Artificial Intelligence

Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef has confirmed that human prosecutors will maintain full decision-making authority over criminal cases, despite the introduction of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO). The technology is being rolled out as part of the "PGO 2.0" digitalization project, aimed at modernizing the Maldives' primary authority for criminal prosecutions. Speaking on PSM News’ Raajje Miadhu programme, Prosecutor General Abbas addressed concerns that AI might eventually automate legal judgments. He clarified that the technology will function strictly as a support tool—an "AI assistant"—to enhance the efficiency of legal professionals rather than replacing their discretion. Currently, prosecutors dedicate significant time to gathering fragmented information and navigating complex case files. The new AI system will synthesize data from the Office's archives dating back to 2008, allowing prosecutors to retrieve critical evidence and precedents rapidly. By streamlining this research phase, the PGO intends to enable more informed decisions and expedite the delivery of justice. Addressing potential employment concerns, the Prosecutor General emphasized that the digitalization drive is not a cost-cutting measure designed to reduce staff. Instead, the goal is to alleviate the administrative burden on employees, allowing them to perform their duties more effectively by reducing the manual labor involved in information retrieval. The PGO 2.0 project is slated for completion by July 2028. Once finalized, the Office aims to operate at the maximum level of digitalization permitted by Maldivian law. Beyond AI, the initiative includes new protocols to safeguard the personal data of individuals involved in legal proceedings and will introduce streamlined digital services to make the legal process more accessible to the general public and legal practitioners.