As the second annual AI Summit kicked off in Belize on April 30, 2026, the emerging technology moved from abstract conversation to a tangible, actionable tool at the center of national industry discourse. Gathering leading global AI specialists and local professional stakeholders from across multiple sectors, the event centered its agenda on the core theme of “Efficiency at Scale”, framing AI as an accessible empowerment tool rather than the existential threat many workers fear.
Maynor Larrieu, Managing Director of event organizer Avant Garde, outlined the summit’s core mission: demystifying artificial intelligence for everyday Belizeans and creating structured opportunities for curious members of the public to learn directly from field-leading experts. “I think AI is not going to replace you, but AI is going to empower you to be more efficient, to be more effective,” Larrieu emphasized, pushing back on widespread public anxiety about AI-driven job displacement.
Regional industry leaders confirmed that the transition from theoretical discussion to hands-on implementation is already accelerating across Central America. David Cabrera, a representative of CENPROMYPE, highlighted how rapidly the conversation around AI has shifted in just 12 months: just one year ago, stakeholders were still debating the fundamental importance of the technology for business; today, AI is already being integrated as a core productivity skill for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) across the region.
The tourism sector, one of Belize’s largest economic drivers, emerged as a key focus of the summit’s industry-specific discussions. Travel industry leaders warned local hospitality businesses that they must adapt to shifting consumer behavior, as an growing share of international travelers now rely on generative AI tools like ChatGPT to build custom travel itineraries and research destinations. Efren Perez, President of the Belize Tourism Industry Association, urged local hoteliers and tourism operators to boost their digital presence by publishing more targeted, discoverable content across blogs, social media platforms, and image sharing sites to ensure their offerings appear in AI-generated travel recommendations.
A full in-depth report on the summit’s key outcomes and announcements will be broadcast during News 5 Live’s 6 p.m. prime time slot this evening.