PG Office allocates MVR 12 million for "PGO 2.0" program to integrate AI into prosecution processes!

The Prosecutor General’s Office has announced that its "PGO 2.0" initiative, a digital strategy program centered on artificial intelligence (AI), carries a total cost of MVR 12 million.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has announced that the primary vision of its new program, scheduled for completion within the next two years, is to transform the institution by 2028. The objective is to establish a fully digitalized and sovereign prosecution service that upholds the highest standards of integrity and transparency, ensuring that human rights are protected at every stage of the legal process.

Sharing details of the program on state media, Prosecutor General Abbas Shareef stated that the project has a total valuation of MVR 12 million. He noted that upon completion, the initiative will significantly expedite the judicial process. The Prosecutor General further emphasized that the project would streamline operations to the extent that even major cases could be submitted to court within a maximum of 48 hours.

Furthermore, Abbas stated that cases submitted to the courts would undergo more thorough preliminary research, which would consequently reduce the time required by the judiciary to review and process them.

The Prosecutor General’s Office noted that under this program, its existing case management system, "Mafiini," will be further enhanced by integrating artificial intelligence capabilities. These upgrades will include features for researching legal documents, drafting summaries of charge sheets, and conducting identity checks. Additionally, the system will ensure the secure management of testimonies and documentation, while introducing a "Citizen Agent" to provide information and guidance to the public.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, all case information and systems will be managed within the office's own infrastructure, ensuring they remain under the sovereign control of the Maldives.

The Prosecutor General’s Office has stated that despite the utilization of AI tools, the final determination on whether or not to press charges will not be made by artificial intelligence. The office emphasized that the full authority and responsibility for all such decisions remain solely with legally appointed prosecutors.

The Prosecutor General’s Office emphasized that the system is incapable of independently filing charges or determining an individual's guilt. Furthermore, the office stated that the system will not replace the legal discretion granted to prosecutors, nor will any external AI provider have the opportunity to influence or control prosecutorial decisions.

According to the Prosecutor General’s Office, all prosecution-related data will be securely maintained within an infrastructure under the office's full and direct control.

The PGO 2.0 project is a government-funded initiative with a total budget of 12 million Rufiyaa, scheduled to be implemented over a period of two years.