Resource Person, Mr Francois Trachy of Groupe MP-Plus (front row with salusalu) next to NTPC’s Director Productivity and Innovation, Mr Bob Mitchell and NTPC’s Manager National Productivity and Industry Innovation, Ms Sonia Shivagani, alongside representatives from the industries and the FNU at today’s commencement of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business Productivity and Innovation course at FNU’s Naceva Campus in Lautoka.

The Fiji National University’s (FNU) National Training and Productivity Centre (NTPC) has commenced its second Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business Productivity and Innovation course.

Resource Person Mr Francois Trachy of Groupe MP-Plus in Canada said his team had trained more than 30,000 professionals across various industries over the past decade, helping individuals and organisations work smarter and improve productivity.

“Over the next three days, we will explore practical AI tools, experiment with real-world applications and discover how these technologies can support your work and your organisations.”

“Our objective is straightforward: to help you turn artificial intelligence into a trusted virtual assistant that enhances productivity, supports better decision-making, encourages creativity and drives innovation in your everyday work,” he said.

Mr Trachy also emphasised that AI should be viewed as a tool to support people rather than replace them.

“Your creativity, critical thinking, experience and judgement will always remain your greatest strengths. AI simply provides new ways to enhance those strengths and achieve even greater results,” Mr Trachy elaborated.

Mr Trachy added that AI was an important part of this work.

The NTPC Director Productivity and Innovation Mr Bob Mitchell in his welcome address said, AI was already changing the way organisations operate and deliver services.

“Across every sector, organisations are embracing AI to improve productivity, enhance customer experiences and unlock new opportunities for innovation,” Mr Mitchell said.

Participants during the Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business Productivity and Innovation course at FNU’s Naceva Campus in Lautoka.

Among the participants is Marriott International, Fiji and Samoa Director of Safety and Security, Mr Hatley Kamelo, who said AI could bring significant benefits to the safety and security sector.

“AI has the potential to enhance risk management, predictive analytics, incident reporting, threat assessment and overall business resilience,” he said.

The course provides participants with practical exposure to AI tools and their application across different areas of business.

Held at FNU’s Naceva Campus in Lautoka, the three-day programme brings together 36 participants from a range of businesses and industries to explore practical ways AI can support their work and improve business performance.

Meanwhile, the course was successfully delivered in Suva last week, attracting 88 participants from a range of industries.

NTPC Manager National Productivity and Industry Innovation, Ms Sonia Shivagani, is excited to announce that the course will be offered in Labasa for the first time next year, extending the opportunity to participants in the Northern Division.

The programme being delivered in the Western Division for the first time will conclude tomorrow.