As industries worldwide grapple with rapid digital transformation driven by artificial intelligence, a new cross-sector partnership in Antigua and Barbuda is taking actionable steps to close the local AI skills gap. The Antigua & Barbuda Hotels and Tourism Association (ABHTA), U.S.-based DeVry University, and the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to launch two tailored professional development courses, equipping local workers, managers and business leaders with practical AI competencies for an evolving global workforce.
DeVry University brings nearly a century of career-focused education experience to the collaboration. Founded in 1931, the accredited institution has long centered its programming on meeting shifting workplace demands, and its DeVryPro online learning platform was built specifically to support upskilling and reskilling for industries disrupted by AI integration. The launch of these courses aligns closely with the 2026 World Tourism Day theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” which highlights AI’s transformative impact on traveler decision-making, tourism business operations, and visitor experience design. The theme also calls for expanded investment in digital skills and broader technology access to ensure all stakeholders can participate equitably in tourism’s digital future.
For ABHTA, the partnership marks a critical shift from discussing AI’s potential to empowering local workers to use the technology effectively and ethically. “The World Tourism Day theme could not be more timely,” said Patrice Simon, Executive Director of ABHTA. “If we are serious about redesigning tourism and remaining competitive as a destination, then we must invest in our people. Technology will continue to evolve, but our greatest investment must remain in developing the skills of the people who will use that technology to improve our businesses, our productivity and ultimately the visitor experience.”
The two programs are structured to meet the varying needs of today’s working professionals. The first, *AI for All*, is designed for learners without prior technical or coding experience, focusing on building accessible, real-world AI skills. Participants will core AI fundamentals, refine prompt engineering techniques, learn to leverage AI to boost daily productivity, convert raw data into actionable business insights, and implement practical workplace automation. The curriculum also includes critical discussions of AI accuracy, privacy, algorithmic bias and ethical usage, and gives learners hands-on practice with leading AI tools including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude and Gemini.
The second course, *Finance Essentials for Managers with AI*, targets current and aspiring managers seeking to strengthen their financial acumen while integrating AI into financial workflows. Course content covers core skills such as interpreting financial statements, developing budgets and financial forecasts, communicating financial insights to cross-functional teams, managing organizational financial risk, and applying AI tools to streamline financial analysis and strategic decision-making.
Both courses are offered on-demand, allowing working professionals to progress through material at their own pace while balancing study with work and personal commitments. Most learners can complete the full curriculum in five weeks or less. Upon successful completion, participants receive an industry-recognized DeVryPro certificate of completion, verifying skills that can be applied immediately in their current roles. Local businesses are also encouraged to integrate the programs into formal employee development plans, with discounted tuition available for organizations that register multiple participants to build collective AI capacity across teams.
This course launch marks only the first phase of a long-term collaborative partnership between the three organizations. Martin Cave, Executive Director of the Antigua and Barbuda Chamber of Commerce, noted that the initiative is designed to create a sustained pathway for professional growth. “We want this partnership to pave a suitable pathway,” Cave explained. “Someone may begin today by taking AI for All, but we want them to see that as the beginning and not the end of their professional development. Our goal is to give Antiguans and Barbudans greater access to relevant education, professional certification and, ultimately, degree programmes that allow our people to continue advancing in their careers.”
Unlike many skills initiatives focused exclusively on the tourism sector, this effort aims to expand AI access across all industries in Antigua and Barbuda. Through the Chamber of Commerce’s broad cross-sector network, the partners hope to reach professionals and organizations across every major segment of the local economy. Registration is currently open for both courses: interested individuals and businesses can create an account via DeVryPro’s dedicated ABHTA registration portal or scan the QR code included on official program materials to connect directly with DeVry for more information on fees and enrollment.
ABHTA serves as the collective voice of Antigua and Barbuda’s hospitality industry, working through education, advocacy and promotion to boost visitor arrivals and expand the economic benefits of tourism for the nation. Its membership includes hotels, restaurants, airlines, and any business directly or indirectly involved in the local tourism sector. DeVry University, meanwhile, has a mission to close global opportunity gaps and address emerging talent needs by preparing learners for careers shaped by constant technological change, offering accredited undergraduate and graduate programs online and in-person across business, healthcare and technology fields.