Maldives to Share AI Prosecution Framework and Training with Global Partners

The Maldives will offer its artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework and prosecution training curriculum to interested jurisdictions worldwide free of charge, Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef announced. The announcement was made during the High-Level Segment of the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi. Under the 'Maldives 2.0' vision, the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) has digitized its operations and integrated AI tools to support prosecutorial work. The new framework is designed to promote the responsible use of technology while ensuring that human oversight remains central to the legal process. Prosecutor General Shareef emphasized that while AI can serve as a powerful assistant, it will not replace the critical role of legal professionals. "A machine may assist a prosecutor; it will never substitute human judgment," Shareef stated, asserting that the final decision to charge an individual will always remain the sole responsibility of the prosecutor within the established legal framework. To maintain transparency and accountability, the PGO will disclose whenever AI has been used to prepare materials submitted to the courts. This approach ensures that the integration of technology does not compromise the integrity of judicial proceedings. Beyond AI integration, the Prosecutor General highlighted a concerning rise in cybercrime within the Maldives, reporting that such cases doubled during the first six months of this year. However, he noted that only a small fraction of these crimes have reached the PGO for prosecution due to hurdles such as insufficient evidence, financial constraints, and the challenge of pursuing suspects located overseas. To combat these issues, the Maldives has introduced significant legal reforms this year. These include amendments to the Penal Code and the Criminal Procedure Code, as well as updates to legislation governing legal assistance in criminal matters, aligning the nation's laws with the international standards of the Budapest Convention.