Carib Scope

分类： technology

  • ‘Maggotty Island’ moves JPS to ‘the last mile’

    ‘Maggotty Island’ moves JPS to ‘the last mile’

    In a remarkable display of engineering ingenuity, the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) has implemented an innovative solution to restore electricity to storm-ravaged sections of St. Elizabeth following the devastation wrought by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa on October 28th.

    The breakthrough centers around the strategic utilization of the Maggotty Hydroelectric Power Plant, one of JPS’s renewable energy facilities. Traditionally, severe damage to transmission infrastructure would prevent power generated at such plants from reaching consumers. However, JPS technicians conceptualized and developed a pioneering approach that enables electricity from the hydro plant to be fed directly into isolated segments of the distribution network.

    This isolated system, dubbed ‘The Maggotty Island,’ has successfully energized approximately 2,000 customers who would otherwise have faced months without electricity while crews rebuild severely damaged transmission lines traversing challenging mountainous terrain.

    JPS President and CEO Hugh Grant emphasized the unprecedented nature of the challenge: “The damage caused by Hurricane Melissa required a different way of thinking. The Maggotty Island exemplifies our team’s ingenuity and determination to find solutions under the most difficult circumstances. By creating this islanded system, we’ve been able to energize communities using renewable power despite the complete unavailability of connecting transmission lines.”

    Grant highlighted that this innovation has been instrumental in restoring power to 90% of JPS customers, a milestone achievement combining multiple strategic elements. These included proactive deployment of North American line workers before the hurricane made landfall, support from Caribbean utility partners, and procurement of specialized equipment.

    Unlike intermittent solar and wind systems, the Maggotty Plant represents what Grant termed “firm renewable” power, generating consistent electricity using the Maggotty River with a capacity of up to 12 megawatts. The system now powers critical infrastructure including the National Water Commission pump, National Irrigation Commission pump, and telecommunication sites, alongside residential customers.

    The Maggotty Island follows another innovative restoration initiative—the Emergency Mobile Power Generation Unit currently supplying nearly 1,000 customers in Treasure Beach. Both solutions form part of a comprehensive restoration and resilience strategy while permanent repairs continue.

    Despite significant progress, Grant cautioned that the final phase of restoration will be particularly challenging: “We are now at the most difficult stage. It will take more than 10 times the effort to get power to 10 times fewer customers.”

    In parallel, Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced additional equipment and linemen scheduled to arrive to accelerate restoration efforts, assuring residents that most communities without power should see significant improvements within weeks through a structured approach prioritizing main towns, thoroughfares, and then remote areas.

  • Trident ID expansion set to begin this year

    Trident ID expansion set to begin this year

    The Government of Barbados has announced a significant expansion of its Trident Identification card system, scheduled for implementation by mid-2026. Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Senator Jonathan Reid clarified that this initiative represents an enhancement of the existing identification infrastructure rather than a complete relaunch.

    The upgraded system aims to create a secure, resilient digital framework that enables citizens to access both public and private services with unprecedented efficiency. Minister Reid emphasized that the core objective is to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles including lengthy wait times, repetitive form submissions, and manual processing requirements that currently characterize many government services.

    A comprehensive public education campaign will launch in 2025 to familiarize Barbadians with the system’s additional capabilities and address concerns regarding digital integration. The minister specifically highlighted that participation in the enhanced features will remain entirely optional, with traditional service channels remaining available for those who prefer manual processes.

    The technological infrastructure will facilitate seamless transitions between various services while maintaining robust security protocols. Practical applications include streamlining complex procedures such as infant registration, which currently requires physical visits to multiple government offices. The system will also integrate with existing documents including driver’s licenses and payment platforms, providing citizens with flexible authentication options.

    Government officials acknowledge public apprehension regarding digital systems while reaffirming commitments to security and accessibility. The Prime Minister’s Office has explicitly stated that no eligible voter will be disenfranchised for lacking a Trident ID card, citing existing electoral laws that provide alternative verification methods.

    The Trident ID system originally launched in 2020 with advanced security features including tamper-resistant design, enhanced durability, and sophisticated anti-counterfeiting measures. Previous implementations demonstrated the system’s effectiveness in reducing fraud, particularly evidenced by its success in eliminating misuse of senior travel benefits on public transportation.

  • What the World Googled in 2025

    What the World Googled in 2025

    The digital pulse of global curiosity throughout 2025 has been meticulously documented in Google’s recently released Year in Search data, capturing search patterns across 57 nations. This comprehensive analysis reveals a fascinating tapestry of worldwide interests, dominated by technological advancements, sporting spectacles, and significant news events.

    Artificial intelligence emerged as the undisputed champion of global search queries, with Google’s own Gemini AI tool claiming the top position worldwide. The remarkable surge in AI-related searches was particularly pronounced across Asian markets, where another artificial intelligence platform, DeepSeek, similarly ranked among the most sought-after terms.

    The sporting world demonstrated its powerful grip on global attention through several high-profile cricket events. The India versus England cricket match secured the second position in worldwide searches, followed closely by another cricket rivalry between India and Australia. The Asia Cup and Club World Cup further underscored cricket’s substantial international appeal, while football-related queries dominated search patterns in Mexico, claiming most of the country’s top five search terms.

    Tragic news events also captured significant global attention, with the assassination of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk emerging as the most searched news story of 2025. This incident generated widespread debate and conspiracy theories throughout the United States. Other major news events that drove substantial search volume included the U.S. government shutdown and Hurricane Melissa, which inflicted considerable damage across Jamaica and the Caribbean region in October.

    Geopolitical tensions remained at the forefront of public consciousness, with Iran maintaining its position in global headlines due to ongoing regional conflicts and diplomatic challenges. The complex relationship between Pakistan and India also continued to draw significant search interest, reflecting persistent regional tensions.

    Technology giant Apple maintained its customary strong presence in search trends with the release of the iPhone 17, demonstrating the enduring public fascination with the company’s product launches.

    The published dataset notably excluded Belize, raising intriguing questions about what might have constituted the most popular search terms in the Central American nation had it been included in Google’s analysis.

  • Warnings about AI and the electoral risks in Brazil for 2026

    Warnings about AI and the electoral risks in Brazil for 2026

    The integrity of democratic elections worldwide is facing an unprecedented threat from sophisticated artificial intelligence tools capable of generating convincing fake multimedia content. Since 2018, electoral processes have been systematically undermined by disinformation campaigns, but the emergence of accessible deepfake technology in 2025 has dramatically accelerated this concerning trend.

    Cybersecurity authority Rodolfo Avelino, speaking with Brasil de Fato’s radio station, characterized 2025 as a period of ‘impressive growth’ for AI manipulation tools. These advanced systems can now seamlessly replicate voices and visual appearances, creating fabricated content that challenges human discernment capabilities. The technological evolution has effectively blurred the line between authentic media and synthetic manipulations, creating unprecedented challenges for voters, journalists, and election authorities.

    The Brazilian legislative response, known as the AI Regulation Bill (PL 2338, 2023), remains stalled in the Chamber of Deputies despite the escalating threat. Professor Avelino attributes this legislative paralysis to multiple factors, including significant corporate lobbying efforts regarding technology governance. The expert expressed minimal optimism for substantial regulatory progress in 2026, anticipating that more comprehensive policy measures are unlikely to reach voting stages.

    The proposed legislation, under discussion for approximately five years, seeks to establish critical accountability frameworks including control mechanisms, impact responsibility protocols, and economic benefit distribution structures for AI technologies. Its continued stagnation leaves a dangerous regulatory vacuum during a period of rapidly advancing synthetic media capabilities.

  • Government sets course for sweeping digital overhaul

    Government sets course for sweeping digital overhaul

    The Barbadian government has unveiled a comprehensive digital modernization strategy targeting 2026 as a pivotal year for technological advancement. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, the initiative represents a fundamental restructuring of the nation’s digital infrastructure and economic framework.

    Senator Jonathan Reid outlined the three-pillar approach that forms the foundation of this transformation. The primary focus centers on GovTech implementation, accelerating the digitization of essential government services through monthly onboarding of new digital platforms. This extends beyond basic digitization to incorporate sophisticated cloud infrastructure, open API frameworks, and advanced data management systems.

    The digital identity ecosystem will undergo significant enhancement, with plans for expanded digital identification and mobile ID systems. These developments aim to create a more secure and efficient digital environment for citizens while facilitating increased economic activity built upon Barbados’s emerging digital capabilities.

    Heightened cybersecurity measures form a critical component of the strategy, particularly following the 2024 Barbados Revenue Authority breach that compromised sensitive citizen data. The government is prioritizing defense system fortification through the National Cybersecurity Unit, which collaborates with both domestic military cyber experts and international cybersecurity specialists.

    The second strategic pillar involves an aggressive reindustrialization agenda targeting high-value, digitally-enabled production. Barbados aims to reverse its decades-long deindustrialization trend by investing in artificial intelligence, life sciences, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing technologies. Concurrently, the government is pursuing status as a global logistics hub to enhance international competitiveness and potentially reduce living costs through improved goods management.

    The third component focuses on establishing Barbados as a center for advanced scientific research. The ministry is cultivating partnerships with prestigious international institutions including the University of Tokyo and University of Waterloo, while expanding existing collaborations with the University of the West Indies. These alliances aim to position Barbados as a launchpad for globally impactful research and technological solutions.

  • Ministry of Defense highlights major technological advances in Armed Forces

    Ministry of Defense highlights major technological advances in Armed Forces

    The Dominican Republic’s Armed Forces are undergoing a comprehensive technological transformation as part of a strategic modernization initiative designed to bolster national security and sovereignty. Defense authorities have announced significant advancements in military capabilities through the implementation of cutting-edge systems that enhance surveillance, coordination, and strategic decision-making processes.

    At the core of this modernization effort is the sophisticated C5i framework—integrating Command, Control, Communications, Computing, Cybersecurity, and Intelligence capabilities. This integrated system connects advanced sensors, command centers, technological platforms, and operational units into a unified network. The implementation has dramatically improved response efficiency and inter-agency coordination while providing enhanced strategic planning capabilities.

    A key component of the upgraded infrastructure includes the deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that have substantially expanded real-time monitoring capacities, particularly in border regions, around critical infrastructure, and across strategic territories. Concurrently, the military has made substantial progress in cybersecurity and cyber defense, establishing cyberspace as a vital operational domain for preventing and countering digital threats.

    The modernization program extends beyond technological upgrades to include enhanced military infrastructure and comprehensive training programs designed to ensure long-term sustainability and personnel readiness. Defense officials emphasized that technological innovation and military modernization constitute fundamental pillars supporting the nation’s stability, development, and security objectives, aligning with broader government policy directives.

  • RGPF establishes units to fight digital crimes

    RGPF establishes units to fight digital crimes

    In a strategic move to combat the escalating threat of digital crime, the Royal Grenada Police Force (RGPF) has formally launched two specialized technology units. Commissioner Randy Connaught announced the establishment of a Digital Forensic Unit and a Drones Unit during his year-end press conference, highlighting significant technological investments to address crimes ranging from digital fraud and data theft to online harassment.

    The Drone Unit, which began with a single aircraft, has now expanded into a full fleet operated by qualified pilots, with additional personnel currently undergoing training. While Commissioner Connaught showcased the drone program’s expansion, operational details of the Digital Forensic Unit remain closely guarded.

    This law enforcement modernization aligns with broader national security initiatives. Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell addressed Parliament in August 2024, emphasizing drone technology’s revolutionary potential, particularly for healthcare applications, and announced forthcoming regulations governing drone operations, including no-fly zones. However, these policies have not yet been formally gazetted into law.

    Assistant Commissioner Vannie Curwen provided stark context for these developments, noting the increasing digitalization of criminal activity. “We have been able to build out a Digital Forensic Unit giving us the capacity to go far, deep and wide into everything,” Curwen stated. “Every electronic gadget that is used to commit a crime, we will find you, and if you delete it, we will be able to find it again.”

    The urgency of these measures is underscored by a regional situational assessment conducted under the World Bank-funded Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP). Published in August 2025, the report reveals cyber threats are proliferating faster than public comprehension, with Grenada showing particularly concerning trends.

    Focus groups conducted with Grenadian citizens revealed widespread experience with cyber incidents—from scams to impersonation and cyberbullying—yet fewer than half of participants could accurately define basic cybersecurity terms like “phishing” or “two-factor authentication.” Many believed cybercrime only targeted large institutions rather than ordinary citizens, and reporting rates remained low due to uncertainty about procedures, fear of embarrassment, and lack of trust in response systems.

    The assessment recommends comprehensive public education campaigns, increased visibility of cybersecurity resources like CSIRT Grenada, and enhanced support systems for vulnerable groups including teachers, parents, seniors, and small businesses.

  • LIVE: Diocese of Roseau Closing of the Church of the Universal Jubilee Mass 2025

    LIVE: Diocese of Roseau Closing of the Church of the Universal Jubilee Mass 2025

    The artificial intelligence landscape is witnessing a significant shift as China’s DeepSeek AI introduces its groundbreaking DeepSeek-V3 model, positioning itself as a formidable competitor to established giants like OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This advanced chatbot has demonstrated exceptional capabilities with a context window extending to an impressive 128K tokens, enabling more sophisticated and coherent conversations than previously possible.

    What distinguishes DeepSeek-V3 in the increasingly crowded AI market is its revolutionary accessibility approach. Unlike many premium AI services, DeepSeek has opted to make its cutting-edge technology available to users completely free of charge. This strategic decision potentially disrupts the emerging subscription-based models that have become commonplace in the AI industry.

    The model represents a substantial leap forward from its predecessor, DeepSeek-V2, showcasing enhanced performance across multiple domains including complex reasoning, creative writing, and technical problem-solving. Early adopters have reported remarkably human-like interactions, with the AI demonstrating nuanced understanding of context and an ability to maintain coherent dialogue across extended conversations.

    This development emerges amid growing global interest in artificial intelligence capabilities, with particular attention on China’s rapid advancements in the field. DeepSeek-V3’s release signals not only technical achievement but also a philosophical departure from the commercialization trends dominating Western AI development, potentially expanding access to advanced AI technology across different economic demographics.

    Industry analysts are closely monitoring how this free-access model might influence global AI development strategies and whether other major players will need to adapt their business models in response. The move could accelerate AI adoption worldwide while simultaneously raising questions about sustainable development practices for advanced artificial intelligence systems.

  • Gmail to offer way to change your email address

    Gmail to offer way to change your email address

    In a landmark shift from its longstanding policy, Google has initiated the rollout of a feature long demanded by its global user base: the official ability to alter one’s primary @gmail.com address. This transformative update, discovered through a recent modification to Google’s account support documentation, promises to liberate users from what was previously a permanent digital identifier.

    The forthcoming functionality will empower individuals to supplant their existing email address with a completely new one, all while preserving their entire digital ecosystem intact. Contrary to the ‘scorched earth’ method of account deletion, this process ensures a seamless transition. Crucially, all accumulated account data—including the complete history of emails, Drive files, and Photos—will remain accessible. Furthermore, integration with the broader Google ecosystem will be unaffected; user subscriptions, YouTube watch history, and past Google Play purchases will be seamlessly transferred to the new identity.

    The initial evidence of this feature emerged not on the company’s primary English support pages, but on its Hindi-language documentation. This discovery indicates that Google may be employing a targeted, phased rollout strategy, potentially using India and other Hindi-speaking regions as initial test markets. The support page explicitly clarified that the feature is being gradually released, strongly suggesting an impending global availability for all users. This development fundamentally redefines the Gmail experience, moving away from the notion of a static, unchangeable primary ID, which users could previously only supplement with aliases.

  • Telesur lanceert nieuwe glasvezel-internetpakketten vanaf eerste kwartaal 2026

    Telesur lanceert nieuwe glasvezel-internetpakketten vanaf eerste kwartaal 2026

    Suriname is poised for a monumental digital transformation as telecommunications provider Telesur announces comprehensive fiber-optic internet upgrades set for implementation in Q1 2026. The initiative establishes new national standards for internet speed, reliability, and digital connectivity, positioning Suriname as a regional leader in telecommunications infrastructure.

    All existing fiber-optic customers will be automatically migrated to the enhanced service packages, representing the next phase in the country’s transition to future-proof network capabilities. Current data indicates approximately 70% of internet subscribers have already been successfully transitioned to the Telesur Fiber network, with remaining connections scheduled for completion throughout 2026.

    Telesur CEO Doric Ramlakhan characterized the upgrade as a pivotal moment in national development. “This transcends conventional service improvements—it represents a digital milestone for Suriname,” Ramlakhan stated. “Our complete fiber-optic infrastructure provides every citizen, student, entrepreneur, and organization with the foundation to participate fully in the global digital economy.”

    The upgraded network includes sophisticated business solutions offering speeds ranging from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps at competitive rates. These enterprise-grade connections are specifically engineered for sectors requiring exceptional data reliability and capacity, including financial technology, logistics, creative industries, and healthcare.

    Consumer packages will support Suriname’s accelerating digitalization, enabling advanced applications in online education, streaming services, gaming ecosystems, smart-home technologies, and innovative business processes. This nationwide fiber transition reinforces Telesur’s position as the driving force behind Suriname’s digital future—delivering reliable, innovative connectivity prepared for the next phase of technological growth.