A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 27 May to Sunday 2 June 2024.
Monday, 27 May 2024
$256m FTX properties to ‘hit market within 30 days’
Bahamas – FTX’s $256m Bahamian property empire is set to “hit the market within the next 30 days” after five to seven local realtors were selected to handle their disposal… more
FTX properties up for sale in next month
Bahamas – FTX’s $256m Bahamian property empire is set to “hit the market within the next 30 days” after five to seven local realtors were selected to handle their disposal…more
Opposition demands investigation into alleged $675K FTX donations linked to government officials and their families
Bahamas – The Opposition is demanding an immediate investigation into allegations that FTX paid $675,000 to entities affiliated with high-ranking government officials and their families… more
Pintard: ‘Moment of truth’ on new FTX accusations
Bahamas – The Opposition’s leader last night warned that The Bahamas’ reputation as an international financial and business centre is in danger if the latest FTX claims are not investigated as “a matter of urgency”… more
CIBC Caribbean reorganises call centres, creates Digital Branch
Caribbean – A reorganization does not always have to result in displaced and unhappy employees. CIBC Caribbean is proving this to be true as it unveils plans for the creation of a “Digital Branch” out of its current Call Centres… more
Mastercard using Generative AI tech to improve card fraud detection
Caribbean – As fraudsters seek new ways to exploit technology, Mastercard is using generative AI todouble the speed at which it can detect potentially compromised cards, further protecting cardholders and securing the ecosystem… more
Virtual Assets Business regulation published 3 years after law approved
Grenada – Approximately 3 years after Parliament debated and approved the Virtual Asset Business Act (VAB), regulations have been gazetted to guide the registration and operation of virtual businesses in Grenada… more
Gov’t to create first ‘digital school’ in Guyana – President Ali
Guyana – President Dr. Irfaan Ali says his government wants to improve the quality of education offered locally and as such, the country’s first digital school will soon be established… more
Tuesday, 28 May 2024
Ryan Salame, part of the ‘inner circle’ at collapsed crypto exchange FTX, sentenced to prison
Bahamas – A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced former FTX executive Ryan Salame to more than seven years in prison, the first of the lieutenants of failed cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried to receive jail time for their roles in the 2022 collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange… more
Sand Dollar upgrade to provide ‘seamless’ banking integration
Bahamas – A digital payment solutions provider hailed the “seamless integration” of the updated Sand Dollar infrastructure with commercial banking platforms as a huge ‘plus,’ noting that such firms are eyeing expansion of their services into the wider Caribbean… more
Education poised for tech transformation – Erdiston principal
Barbados – Barbados is on the cusp of transforming its education system to meet the demands of the technology-driven, globally competitive economy, according to Dr Colin Cumberbatch, Principal of Erdiston Teachers’ Training College… more
SIDS4 seeks to accelerate Universal Meaningful Connectivity in Small Island Developing States
Caribbean – A high-level matchmaking event aimed at connecting stakeholders, development partners, and the private sector to deliver concrete commitments for digital connectivity projects in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) was held during the SIDS4 conference hosted in St. John’s, Antigua… more
Fully-digital schools to be developed by year end – President Ali
Guyana – President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced recently that Guyana’s first fully-digital primary and secondary schools will be developed by the end of 2024, a move he said will vastly improve education delivery locally… more
Kirk-Anthony Hamilton wins EY’s ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ award
Jamaica – Serial entrepreneur Kirk-Anthony Hamilton, founder of The Infiniti Partnership Inc., has been honoured with the prestigious ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Award in the emerging category by Ernst & Young (EY)… more
Laptops: The gateway to the future
Jamaica – Dear Editor, In the realm of education, in which the ink of knowledge meets the parchment of possibility, Jamaica has embarked on a journey towards technological enlightenment… more
Wednesday, 29 May 2024
FTX Bahamas chief gets over seven years jail
Bahamas – The former head of FTX Bahamas did not receive “any brownie points for being a whistleblower” to local regulators as a New York judge yesterday sentenced him to seven-and-a-half years in prison… more
AI and security: Striking a balance
Caribbean – With the growth of the digital ecosystem in Latin America, businesses and governments in the region have become prime targets for cybercriminals. To address this challenge, organisations must prioritise cybersecurity as an aspect of their business strategy… more
Key digital infrastructure for small businesses when starting out
Caribbean – When launching a small business, it’s crucial to leverage the right digital infrastructure to carve out a competitive edge and drive growth. Here are five fundamental tools that can help new businesses make their mark in the digital landscape… more
‘Labour Advice’ app launched
Guyana – To ensure that workers are informed of their rights and can access advice when needed, the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday launched its “Labour Advice” mobile application… more
GK One app ‘wires’ up a new feature
Jamaica – GK Financial Services is set to launch a new feature on its GK One mobile app, enabling users to send remittances out of the country… more
tTech looks to new markets as it bolsters security-first position
Jamaica – Managed IT services provider tTech Limited said it has entered into three more markets as the company unlocks new products and moves to strengthen the security posture of firms across the region… more
Social Services Deploys Digital Pathways To Disability Empowerment
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles LaRoda at the Disability Empowerment Month launch press conference at Stephen Dillett Primary School, Saturday, May 25, 2024 relayed that empowerment of Persons with Disabilities is an initiative that is very intentional in its nature… more
Thursday, 30 May 2024
The eProcurement platform has saved govt $16.5m, says Davis
Bahamas – PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said the government had saved $16.5m through its eProcurement platform, GoBonfire… more
Labour Ministry launches mobile application to address labour concerns
Guyana – In its effort to push for the decentralisation and modernisation of its services, the Ministry of Labour on Wednesday, launched its first public mobile application on the Google Play and App stores… more
PM launches cyber operations centre
Trinidad and Tobago – Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley says cybersecurity is a collective responsibility, and everyone must work together to protect the digital infrastructure and promote a safe online environment… more
Friday, 31 May 2024
The human ethical dilemma of AI
Caribbean – RECENTLY there was some minor titillation between actress Scarlett Johannson and OpenAI, the latter having been accused of using a voice eerily similar to Johannson’s for its new GPT-40 model, Sky… more
Fast internet network coming for underserved areas
Jamaica – The Spectrum Management Authority, SMA, this week announced plans to sell new spectrum for US$24 million to deliver high-speed internet to remote communities. The selected candidate will be given a decade to pay for the spectrum in instalments… more
Saturday, 1 June 2024
C&W Communications ready for hurricane season
Caribbean – C&W Communications said it is ready for the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which kicked off on June 1… more
AI Youth Summit 3–21 June 2024
Grenada – The inaugural AI Youth Summit will be held in Grenada from 3–21 June 2024, at the Grenada Youth Centre… more
Huawei TT joins Adopt a School programme
Trinidad and Tobago – Huawei TT Ltd has signed on to the Ministry of Education’s Adopt-a-School programme by pledging two years of support to local schools. This programme aims to facilitate the equitable distribution of corporate sponsorship for school-based initiatives among all schools… more
Khamal resigns from TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – KHAMAL Georges has resigned as the senior manager of environmental, social and reputation management at the Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (TSTT)… more
Sunday, 2 June 2024
Health + Tech | How tech innovations are transforming motherhood
Caribbean – Health-tech innovations are having a transformative impact on modern motherhood. From pregnancy to postpartum care and beyond, these advancements are empowering moms to prioritise their well-being and navigate the complexities of parenthood with greater confidence and ease… more
The right way to regulate AI
Caribbean – The arrival of new technologies tends to stoke widespread anxiety, most commonly about automation and displacement of human workers. The Luddites at the beginning of the industrial age are, perhaps, the most frequently cited example of this technophobia, but such worries have emerged periodically ever since… more
EduFocal changes mentor
Jamaica – Digital learning institution, EduFocal Limited, which trades as LEARN on the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), has changed its mentor… more
Jamaica among few countries selected for Meta AI rollout
Jamaica – If you use Facebook, WhatsApp, or Instagram, you’ have probably noticed a new character pop up answering search queries or eagerly offering tidbits of information in your feeds, with varying degrees of accuracy… more
Keeping your child safe in a tech-filled World: A guide for Jamaican parents
Jamaica – THE MONTH of May is dedicated to celebrating our nation’s youths, highlighting their achievements and the areas where we can help them grow. One crucial focus is the integration of digital technology in their lives… more
Khamal resigns from TSTT
Trinidad and Tobago – Khamal Georges, TSTT’s senior manager-Corporate, Environmental, Social and Reputation Management, has resigned from the company… more
Images credit: Andrys Stienstra (Pixabay); Wikipedia; Sand Dollar (Twitter); tTech; Spectrum Management Authority; Wikimedia Commons; Wikpedia
