KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a landmark initiative, over 400 educators, school leaders, and education stakeholders convened in Montego Bay on October 10 for Jamaica’s inaugural Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education Workshop. Organized by the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean in collaboration with the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC), an arm of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MoESYI), the event marked the first of a two-part series designed to empower teachers with the tools, skills, and ethical frameworks necessary to integrate AI into classrooms effectively.
Eric Falt, Director of the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, underscored the importance of ethical and inclusive innovation in education. ‘Technology must serve humanity, not the other way around. Teachers are the torchbearers of this transformation, shaping how the next generation interacts with and benefits from technology,’ he remarked.
The workshop, guided by UNESCO’s AI Competency Framework for Teachers, delved into practical applications of AI in lesson planning, student assessment, and classroom management. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises and exchanged strategies to implement AI responsibly within their schools and communities. The event emphasized the need for inclusive and personalized learning experiences, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the role of educators.
Dr. Winsome Gordon, CEO of the Jamaica Teaching Council, highlighted the workshop’s mission to empower teachers. ‘This initiative is not about replacing teachers with technology; it’s about equipping them to inspire, guide, and transform the learning experience for every child,’ she stated.
The workshop is a component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Joint Programme on Digital Transformation for Education in Jamaica, funded by the European Union and Spain. Jamaica’s adoption of UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology further cements its commitment to ethical and sustainable AI integration in education.
The second workshop, scheduled for October 17 in Kingston, will provide additional educators with the opportunity to develop AI competencies and explore innovative teaching methodologies.









