'AI to drive jobs, not replace them': Koro Project sponsor

At a time when fears over artificial intelligence replacing jobs loom large, the sponsor of Fiji’s ambitious $400 million Koro Development Project said the opposite is true: AI will create jobs and fuel economic growth, rather than erasing livelihoods. 

Project sponsor Ratu Qativi Robert Cromb described AI as a “productivity multiplier” that is helping fast-track development timelines, making projects like the Koro initiative not only feasible but also transformational. 

“What AI actually does is deliver higher productivity for people,” Mr Cromb said. “It’ll allow people to do four times the amount of outcomes compared to what we’ve been used to. That kind of efficiency actually boosts employment.” 

The Koro Development Project, a multi-phase initiative expected to unfold over eight years with an estimated investment of $400 million, is positioning itself at the intersection of infrastructure, innovation, and inclusive growth. And at its core? AI. 

Mr Cromb says AI has already enabled his business operations to expand, not shrink. 

Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka today officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the multi-million dollar Koro Development Project in the Kalabu Tax-Free Zone in Valelevu.

Fiji Government

“Since we’ve put it [AI] on, we’ve actually put more people on, because we’re able to do a lot more. It’s quite the opposite of what most people think  AI is not here to replace jobs, it’s here to turbocharge economies, industries, and opportunities,” he added. 

The sentiment reflects a broader shift in how digital tools are being used in Pacific economies. While global tech giants like Google have begun exploring partnerships and activities in Fiji, local projects like Koro aim to root innovation in local soil with benefits for Fijians first. 

As universities open their doors to new cohorts of students, concerns about post-graduate employment remain high, especially in engineering and technology sectors. But Mr Cromb sees the Koro Project as a gateway to real-world experience and long-term careers. 

“The complexity of these buildings and infrastructure will absorb a lot of engineering graduates. We’re talking internships, practical skills, and the start of career paths. That’s what excites me,” he said. 

Mr Cromb, who has been in business in Fiji for more than 30 years, says the real return on investment isn’t monetary. 

“It’s not about making a lot of money. The reward is watching students, whether engineers, accountants, civil workers or carpenters, get the kind of opportunity they’ve never had before,” he explained. 

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