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“To get to 2040, we have to make bold choices now.”
The UWI AI Conference concludes with a visionary panel on the
future of the Caribbean
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, https://fiveislandsaiconference.com.
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