Prosecutor General Launches PGO 2.0 to Expedite Justice Using Artificial Intelligence

The Prosecutor General’s Office (PGO) is launching 'PGO 2.0', a comprehensive two-year modernisation programme designed to accelerate the delivery of justice through the integration of artificial intelligence and the full digitisation of operations. Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef detailed the initiative during an appearance on Public Service Media's 'Raajje Miadhu' programme, explaining that the current system is hampered by significant bottlenecks. Under the existing manual structure, delays occur when investigative agencies submit case files, which currently require physical scanning and exhaustive manual reviews before charges can be determined. The new digital framework aims to drastically reduce these wait times. Once electronic materials reach prosecutors, initial file processing is expected to take only 15 minutes. According to Abbas Shareef, cases that previously required 24 to 48 hours of review can now be completed in half a day. The office's ultimate goal is to ensure that even major cases are transmitted to the court within a maximum of 48 hours. To safeguard sensitive information, the PGO is developing its own proprietary AI tools internally. This approach eliminates the risk of exposing confidential personal data to third-party providers. Beyond case processing, the technological overhaul will accelerate legal advisory services, slashing response times for investigative documents from five days to a single day. Funded by the government with a budget of USD 778,210.12, the PGO 2.0 project is expected to reduce administrative burdens on the public and provide faster access to prosecutorial services. By automating workflows and enhancing research capabilities, the office intends to significantly shorten the period required to establish justice in the Maldives.