First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, has said that technology is creating greater opportunities for young people to connect with the world and present their ideas and solutions on an international stage.
She made the remarks while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Theveli International Conference.
First Lady Sajidha said the Theveli conference is no longer simply an academic gathering. Rather, she described it as an important platform where experienced professionals from different fields and people from around the world come together to share new ideas and experiences, and work to turn possibilities into realities instead of merely imagining what could be achieved.
She said this year’s conference theme, “Transformative Innovation in the 21st Century: Science, Technology, and Society”, is particularly important.
The First Lady noted that technology has brought significant changes to the learning environment and to the way people interact, while also changing how the world is perceived. She said advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and digital technology have created opportunities that would have seemed unimaginable even a decade ago.
According to the First Lady, the true value of innovation lies in its ability to improve children’s education, expand healthcare services, create more opportunities for young people, strengthen social connections, protect the environment and make everyday life easier for ordinary families.
She added that innovation becomes most meaningful when it serves the people, improves their quality of life and contributes to building a better society. She highlighted that this is particularly important for a country like the Maldives, whose geography has always required it to turn challenges into opportunities.
The Maldives is an island nation, with its islands separated by stretches of ocean. However, the First Lady said this geographical distance should not be a barrier to strengthening connections. Through technology, that distance can be reduced, knowledge can be made accessible across the islands, young people can be connected to the wider world, new economic opportunities can be created, and Maldivian ideas and solutions can be presented on an international stage.
“Technology should ensure that no one is left behind. As we enter this new era, we must ensure that innovation is inclusive, meets ethical standards and is centred on human values. Artificial intelligence and new technologies have the potential to bring major changes not only to education, healthcare and public services, but also to the economy,” the First Lady said.
First Lady Sajidha Mohamed also emphasised that young people are the ones who will build the future. She called for young people to be viewed not merely as users of technology, but as innovators who introduce new ideas, conduct research, solve problems and advance the business sector.
She urged young people to embrace difficult questions and become a generation that is not afraid to seek the best possible answers to the challenges they face.