KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica has etched its name in history by becoming the first Caribbean nation to host the Latin America High Performance Computing Conference (CARLA) 2025. This landmark event brought together researchers, policymakers, and technology leaders from over 20 countries, spotlighting the transformative potential of high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) in driving scientific research, innovation, and sustainable development across the region. Since its inception in 2014, CARLA has been the leading HPC conference for Latin America, but its 2025 edition in Kingston marked a significant expansion of its global influence.
The conference was a collaborative effort involving the Scientific Research Council (SRC), the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona, Phase 3 Productions, and international organizations SCALAC and RedCLARA. It also received substantial support from global technology giants such as Dell, Nvidia, Intel, Lenovo, AMD, and Eviden.
The event commenced on September 24 with a warm welcome from Dr. Kevin Brown, Conference General Co-chair and a Jamaican researcher at the Argonne National Laboratory in the United States. Dr. Brown emphasized CARLA 2025’s role as a catalyst for fostering a globally connected yet regionally rooted computing research community. He urged participants to strengthen networks and integrate Caribbean talent into international collaborations.
Dr. Rupak Biswas of NASA delivered the opening keynote, showcasing the applications of HPC in space exploration, climate modeling, and advanced aircraft design. Other notable speakers included Professor Tannecia Stephenson of UWI Mona, Anika Shuttleworth, CIO of the Jamaica ICT Authority, and Professor Carlos Jaimee Barrios Hernández of Colombia. They collectively underscored the urgent need for the region to harness HPC and AI for climate resilience, sustainable growth, and digital transformation.
Dr. Charah Watson, Executive Director of the SRC, highlighted Jamaica’s leadership in hosting CARLA as a testament to its commitment to advancing science and innovation. She stressed the importance of demystifying science and technology to empower citizens to engage with and shape these fields. Dr. Watson also pointed out the critical role of HPC applications in areas such as climate resilience, public health analytics, and advanced industry for small developing states like Jamaica.
Education and outreach were central themes of the conference, with open days on September 25–26 inviting the public to explore exhibitions on DNA sequencing, hydrology, AI-driven code editing, and more. Sixth-form students from Immaculate Conception High and Wolmer’s Boys High participated in interactive sessions led by Dr. Brown and Professor Robinson Rivas Suárez of the Central University of Venezuela, gaining hands-on experience in data analysis.
CARLA 2025 concluded with a strong call for partnerships to enhance institutional capacity, accelerate scientific innovation, and leverage HPC and AI for the region’s development. The event not only expanded opportunities for researchers and students but also positioned Jamaica as an emerging hub for advanced computing in the Caribbean.