Javaabu CEO Mohamed Jailam Joins UNIFIED Podcast to Discuss DhivehiVaahaka, AI and the Future of Local Publishing
Mohamed Jailam, Co-Founder and CEO of Javaabu, appeared on Season 2, Episode 14 of UNIFIED, a podcast presented by Youth Union focusing on youth-related concerns and societal issues that need change. The episode, titled “A New Platform for Writers Ft; Jailam (Javaabu),” explored Jailam's journey in technology, the story behind Javaabu, and the role of AI and digital platforms in strengthening Dhivehi content creation.
During the conversation, Jailam reflected on how he first became interested in coding and how that journey eventually led to the founding of Javaabu together with Co-Founder and CTO Arushad Ahmed. He also discussed the origins of DhivehiGPT and the work behind building AI technology designed specifically for the Dhivehi language.
The discussion also touched on the responsible use of artificial intelligence. Jailam spoke about the importance of approaching AI as a technology that should be used thoughtfully, particularly as AI-powered tools become increasingly accessible and integrated into everyday digital experiences.
A major focus of the episode was DhivehiVaahaka.com, Javaabu's new digital platform for Dhivehi stories and storytellers. Javaabu announced the platform on 1 September 2026, with the aim of making local fiction easier to publish, discover, read and listen to while creating new opportunities for writers to earn from their work.
Jailam explained the broader vision behind DhivehiVaahaka.com, including the importance of democratizing digital publishing. The platform is designed to allow writers to publish their stories without an upfront publishing cost, reducing barriers for both established authors and people publishing their work for the first time.
He also highlighted the importance of monetization in building sustainable digital platforms and a stronger local content creator economy. By creating a model where readers can access individual episodes at an affordable price while directly supporting the writers they enjoy, DhivehiVaahaka.com aims to make digital Dhivehi literature more accessible while giving authors an opportunity to earn from their work.
During the episode, Jailam demonstrated DhivehiVaahaka.com and showcased its reading and listening experience. Readers can choose to read stories traditionally or listen to them through text-to-speech technology powered by DhivehiGPT. The listening experience includes features such as real-time word highlighting, helping make Dhivehi stories more accessible through both visual and audio formats.
The conversation also covered the platform's accessibility features and how technology can make local literature available to a wider range of readers. Jailam explained how digital distribution can provide readers with a lower-cost alternative to printed books while still creating a way for them to financially support their favourite authors.
Jailam also discussed the role of AI in maintaining the platform as it grows, including the use of DhivehiGPT-based AI-powered content moderation. These tools form part of Javaabu's wider efforts to apply locally developed Dhivehi AI technology to practical products and digital experiences.
The UNIFIED appearance brought together several parts of Javaabu's journey—from its beginnings in software development to the development of Dhivehi-focused AI and new platforms for local creators—while highlighting the opportunities technology can create for the future of Dhivehi publishing and storytelling.
