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.
分类： technology
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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.