分类： Technology

The Caribbean must not be left on the sidelines of the global AI revolution. That was the message delivered by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) at The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Five Islands Campus second annual AI Conference in Antigua and Barbuda. One June 23, day one of the conference, CAF’s Regional Manager for the Caribbean, Dr. Stacy Richards-Kennedy, encouraged the region to take ownership of its digital future by ensuring that AI strategies are ethical, inclusive, and firmly grounded in the Caribbean’s development priorities.

_“We cannot afford to be spectators in this revolution while others define the rules and set the standards,”_ Dr. Richards-Kennedy stated. _“If we want to ensure that AI reflects our values and serves our people, we must be at the table, shaping the frameworks, building the infrastructure, and investing in the talent that will drive our transformation.”_

The UWI Five Islands AI Conference, now in its second year, is an international forum focused on advancing artificial intelligence for sustainable development in the Caribbean. CAF supported the conference for the second consecutive year, this time as title sponsor. The 2025 theme focused on _AI Innovation for Caribbean Sustainability_. It brought together policymakers, academics, youth, development partners, and private sector leaders to explore the opportunities and risks of AI, and to shape a collective response that ensures the region’s voice is present in the global digital dialogue. Dr. Richards-Kennedy commended The UWI Five Islands Campus for leading this important conversation, noting that it brings the global AI dialogue squarely into the Caribbean context.

She stated that while AI is evolving rapidly around the world, Caribbean societies cannot afford to rely on technologies shaped exclusively by foreign datasets and frameworks. _“AI is not neutral,”_ she stated. “ _It does not guarantee fairness. It does not embody or reflect the hopes and aspirations of Caribbean people. AI simply reflects the patterns of the data sets of others, based on their contexts. AI machines are extremely obedient and this, my friends, is what makes them potentially so dangerous, perfecting what they have been taught, codes that amplify and normalise existing inequalities and injustices._ ”

She called for greater investment in resilient digital infrastructure, harmonised policy frameworks, and targeted training for regional policymakers.

CAF launched its comprehensive Roadmap for National AI Implementation in the Caribbean at the conference. The Roadmap, presented by Enrique Zapata, CAF’s Principal Executive for Digital Transformation and AI Coordinator, centres on five pillars: _policy frameworks, infrastructure, public sector transformation, talent development, and responsible AI governance._

_“The region lacks high-performance data centres powered by GPUs [graphics processing units], which are essential for large-scale AI,”_ Zapata noted. _“CAF is actively working with countries to finance such infrastructure and to support sovereign, secure, and inclusive AI ecosystems.”_

_“Latin America and the Caribbean will need to invest in the infrastructure and talent that will power our AI future. We cannot rely solely on imported systems. We need data centers, governance frameworks, and policies built for our realities.”_

Zapata also addressed the importance of hybrid financing models and regional coordination to build scalable, AI-ready digital public infrastructure across small island states.

Over the past six years, CAF has invested USD 2.8 billion in digital infrastructure and digital public services across Latin America and the Caribbean. The Bank’s partnership with The UWI was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed in February 2023. This collaboration aims to address regional development challenges by working closely across the University’s campuses and CARICOM countries. It focuses on research, innovation, training, knowledge exchange, and advancing science diplomacy to position the Caribbean within the global knowledge economy. To date, key initiatives resulting from this partnership include the launch of the CAF Innovation Series at the St. Augustine Campus. This event gathered experts and students to harness science and innovation as catalysts for development in the Caribbean. Additionally, CAF facilitated the mobilisation of a US$10 million Adaptation Fund grant to enhance flood resilience efforts in Trinidad. The UWI Western Jamaica Campus and CAF also launched a programme focused on promoting Spanish as a foreign language in Jamaica’s tourism sector, with plans for broader regional implementation. Furthermore, training programmes

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Five Islands Campus recently concluded its second annual UWI 5IR AI Conference, which brought together experts and stakeholders to discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Caribbean.

The conference concluded with a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Vision 2040: Forecasting the Caribbean’s AI-Driven Future,” where experts emphasized the importance of collaboration to ensure that technology enhances the quality of life for all citizens, rather than deepening existing inequalities.

As the discussion unfolded, the diverse perspectives from the panellists created a hopeful narrative about the Caribbean’s potential. With only 15 years until 2040, the call to action was clear: the region must leverage AI not as a substitute for human potential, but as a tool to respect, uplift, and empower its people.

The panel comprised some of the keynote speakers from throughout the conference including Dr Christopher Jones, a consultant and former Executive Director of the Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub; HE Ambassador Walton Aubrey Webbson, Antigua’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations; The Honourable Melford Nicholas, Minister of ICTs, Utilities, and Energy for Antigua; Mr Enrique Zapata, Coordinator for Artificial Intelligence and GovTech at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF); and The UWI St Augustine’s Professor Patrick Hosein who is also the Founder of TTLAB.

Together, they articulated an ambitious vision for 2040 that is rooted in the unique realities of the Caribbean region. Dr Jones opened the discussion calling attention to the fact that our future forecasting must consider “whose future we are forecasting.” He noted that by 2040, 70% of the Caribbean population is expected to live in urban areas, often with a rural character. “That’s not a flaw; that’s our design challenge and opportunity,” he stated.

He advocated for a multifaceted, AI-driven approach to creating “wise, responsive, inclusive, and resilient” urban environments. This includes using AI to predict natural disasters, optimise public transportation for students and workers, and amplify community voices in governance. “To get to 2040, we have to make bold choices now,” he urged. This includes investing in digital infrastructure, fostering digital inclusion, and training youth not just to use AI but to build and govern it responsibly. “We must build AI systems rooted in justice,” he asserted, warning that if data sets continue to marginalise rural and working-class voices, the future will reflect that erasure.

Enrique Zapata, Coordinator for Artificial Intelligence and GovTech at the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), highlighted key trends he anticipates will shape our future. He explained that advancements in AI are inevitable and transformative: “AI will continue to outperform humans in certain tasks, and we will have to learn how to adapt and leverage this technology to enhance our own capacities. It’s about augmenting our abilities through intelligence that may exceed our own.”

He also underscored the necessity for the public sector to keep pace with these advancements. “The public sector will struggle to match the rapid progression of technology seen in the private sector and society,” he remarked. “We need to cultivate a more flexible and responsive public sector that can adapt to upcoming challenges in the next decade.”

Echoing these themes, HE Ambassador Walton Aubrey Webbson, Permanent Representative of Antigua to the United Nations, emphasised the necessity for organisational and cultural shifts within Caribbean institutions. “The organisation, whether it’s in public service or other sectors, will look different and behave differently,” he stated. “By 2040, AI will be an everyday reality. It already is. We must recognise that and prepare for it.”

He urged for the integration of AI to address pressing Caribbean issues, particularly non-communicable diseases (NCDs). “We are the capital of diabetes, a major cause of disability in our region. By 2040, we should be leveraging AI to not only tackle these health issues but also to assist people with disabilities in navigating our Caribbean environment.”

Minister Melford Nicholas expressed enthusiasm for AI’s potential in addressing pressing Caribbean issues such as crime, healthcare, education, and governance. He projected advancements in government operations, stating, “I see the future of Parliament incorporating virtual or even hybrid sessions, making us more efficient with our time… During COVID, we facilitated virtual sessions, and it proved to be possible.”

He concluded with a bold vision for the future electoral process, suggesting, “By 2040, with a fully developed digital identity, it will be possible for us to have virtual public elections.”

Professor Patrick Hosein, stressed, “The future of our region requires us to leverage AI for good, particularly in industries like tourism, where increased efficiency can create new opportunities for enjoyment and engagement.” He also added, “AI can help us address significant challenges, such as climate change and an aging population, but it is imperative that we choose to utilise this technology for positive outcomes.”

The conference was an overall success, attracting over 500 participants, with an impressive turnout from the public sector in Antigua and Barbuda. Commenting on the success of this year’s gathering, Professor Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal at The UWI Five Islands and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic, Industry Partnerships and Planning, noted that the energy and enthusiasm from attendees set a positive tone, paving the way for meaningful partnerships and innovative ideas to emerge.

For conference highlights visit, .