The Caribbean region must treat digital infrastructure with the same level of urgency and coordination as it does tourism, according to Giovanni King, Chair of the Caribbean Data Centre Association. Speaking at a virtual forum hosted by the Small Business Association (SBA) titled ‘Business in the Age of Gen AI,’ King emphasized the critical role of data gateways in driving economic growth. He likened these digital entry points to airports, describing them as shared, neutral, and essential for regional development. King highlighted that while Caribbean nations routinely invest in tourism-related infrastructure such as airports, hotels, and entertainment, similar attention must be directed toward the digital economy. Cable landing stations, which serve as the primary hubs for internet data, are as vital to digital services as airports are to tourism. These gateways enable efficient information flow through competitive local networks, enhancing business operations. However, much of the region’s data traffic is routed internationally, even for intra-island communication, leading to increased costs and slower connectivity. King advocated for better utilization of existing infrastructure, keeping local traffic within the region and reserving international connections for necessary cases. He praised the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) for supporting this transition. King also stressed the importance of neutral governance for digital gateways, drawing parallels to airports managed to accommodate multiple carriers. He warned that without neutrality and regional collaboration, Caribbean states risk stifling digital growth, resulting in limited access, higher costs, and reduced competition. As small businesses increasingly adopt artificial intelligence, King urged vigilance in data protection, outlining four pillars: sovereignty, infrastructure, governance, and human awareness. He emphasized the need for data sovereignty, questioning whether Caribbean states are prepared to ensure local or regional control of data, especially in cross-border scenarios. King also highlighted the human element as the weakest link in data security, calling for staff training and robust consent policies to maintain customer trust.
分类： technology
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IICA launches free AgriSTEAM course geared towards youth and women
The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) has launched AgriSTEAM, a groundbreaking educational program aimed at equipping young people in the Eastern Caribbean with advanced digital skills to transform the agri-food industry. This free, self-paced online initiative is designed to bridge the digital divide, particularly for youth and women in rural communities, who are essential to the region’s food security but often face limited access to technology and education.
Gregg Rawlins, IICA’s representative for the Eastern Caribbean, emphasized the program’s importance, stating, ‘AgriSTEAM is a vital tool in our mission to empower youth and drive digital innovation in agriculture. By focusing on digitization, we aim to engage young people in addressing critical challenges like population growth, climate change, and inequality.’
The 25-week program features five comprehensive courses: Introduction to Digital Transformation in the Agri-Food Sector, Programming Logic, Sensing and IoT Applications, Geoinformatics, and Data Analysis with Python. Participants gain hands-on experience with tools such as Tinkercad, QGIS, Copernicus Open Access Hub, and Python. Upon completion, learners receive digital badges and an official IICA certificate.
Andres Sanchez, IICA’s Digital Agriculture Specialist, highlighted the initiative’s broader goals: ‘AgriSTEAM is designed to reduce the digital divide and empower youth to lead sustainable transformations in food production systems across Latin America and the Caribbean.’
Interested individuals can enroll now at [https://seed.iica.int/course/view.php?id=137](https://seed.iica.int/course/view.php?id=137).
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CARLA conference being held in Jamaica for the first time
KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Latin America High Performance Computing Conference (CARLA), a pivotal event dedicated to advancing the High Performance Computing (HPC) community across Latin America and beyond, has officially commenced at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. This marks the first time the conference is being held in the Caribbean, signifying a milestone for the region’s technological and scientific landscape. Organized annually since 2014, CARLA has established itself as the premier HPC conference in Latin America, attracting leading researchers, technologists, and industry professionals. This year’s edition, running until Friday, September 26, focuses on fostering innovation and collaboration in HPC and HPC-for-AI applications. The Scientific Research Council (SRC), Jamaica’s foremost institution for science and technology development, has expressed its pride in supporting the event. In a statement, the SRC emphasized its commitment to enhancing local visibility and impact, highlighting the conference’s role in advancing computational research, building regional HPC capacity, and positioning Jamaica as a hub for innovation. The agenda includes keynote speeches by renowned experts such as Professor Felix Wolf and Kate Keahey, alongside paper presentations, poster sessions, and workshops on cutting-edge topics like DevOps for HPC, AI program development, bioinformatics, and weather forecasting. Additionally, the conference will host an open day on Thursday and Friday, inviting the public to explore the exhibition and engage with groundbreaking research.
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UWI student’s app connects hungry people with Jamaican street food
In a bid to revolutionize the way locals and tourists experience authentic Jamaican street food, 21-year-old Somesh Sharma, a third-year medical physics student at the University of the West Indies (UWI), has developed Yaad Bites, a mobile app designed to connect users with the island’s vibrant roadside culinary scene. From sizzling jerk chicken to fresh fruit stalls, the app aims to make it easier for food enthusiasts to discover and support local vendors.
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Caribbean countries look to Brazil’s AI Bill to protect Artists from Tech Giants
Copyright experts across the Caribbean have raised alarms about the potential exploitation of local artists and musicians by global tech companies. These companies are reportedly using creative works to train AI systems without providing compensation to the creators. The issue was a focal point during a panel discussion at CARIFESTA XV, where stakeholders from the region explored the challenges and opportunities of protecting creators in the face of rapid technological advancements. Stephen Stewart, president of the Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies (ACCS), emphasized that while AI presents challenges, it also offers opportunities for growth and cultural preservation in the Caribbean. The ACCS has been examining Brazil’s draft AI Bill, which seeks to regulate the use of copyrighted works in AI training and ensure transparency and compensation for creators. Sydney Sanches, a legal consultant for UBC Brazil and Vice President of the CISAC Legal Committee, highlighted the bill’s comprehensive scope, which includes regulatory oversight, penalties for harm to creators, payment platforms for compensation, and mandatory transparency from AI companies. Despite its progressive approach, the bill is expected to face resistance from major tech companies, which argue that stringent copyright requirements could hinder AI innovation. The ACCS, representing collective management organizations across Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, the Eastern Caribbean, and Jamaica, is studying Brazil’s model for potential adaptation in the region. However, no timeline for implementation has been set. The CARIFESTA panel, moderated by Dr. Erica K. Smith and featuring key regional stakeholders, also discussed how Caribbean countries, with their rich cultural heritage but limited resources, can adopt AI technologies while safeguarding artists’ intellectual property rights.
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Barbados set for Caribbean’s largest green hydrogen plant
Barbados is set to revolutionize its energy landscape with the construction of a $350 million hybrid renewable energy power plant, the largest and most advanced of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. Slated to commence by March 2024, the project will be developed at Harrow Plantation in St Philip by Renewstable (Barbados) Inc. (RSB), a special purpose vehicle co-owned by Hydrogène de France (HDF Energy) and Rubis Caribbean Holdings Inc. The facility, expected to be operational within two years, will combine cutting-edge technologies, including hydrogen power, solar PV, and battery storage, to deliver a stable, non-intermittent electricity supply to the national grid. With a capacity of 50MW solar PV, it will dwarf the existing 10MW BLPC plant at Trent’s, St Lucy, becoming the country’s largest solar installation. The project is projected to create 150 jobs during construction and 20 permanent roles post-completion. RSB has applied to the Fair Trading Commission (FTC) for approval of the rate it will charge the Barbados Light and Power Company (BLPC) under a 25-year power purchase agreement. The FTC is currently evaluating the rate methodology through a public consultation process, with submissions due by September 1. Strategic adviser Aidan Rogers emphasized that the project’s innovative use of hydrogen technology, including water electrolysis and fuel cells, ensures large-volume storage capacity for clean energy. The initiative has already secured Town and Country Planning approval, a license from the Ministry of Energy, and passed the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Development specialist Meshia Clarke highlighted additional benefits, including job opportunities in transport, logistics, and a planned sheep farm hosting 800 blackbelly sheep. The project underscores Barbados’ commitment to sustainable energy and economic growth.