A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 12 May to Sunday 28 February 2025.
Monday, 12 May 2025
DEREK SMITH: How to manage AI’s risk and governance
Bahamas – Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer an emerging trend. Today, chatbots, fraud detection systems, credit scoring tools and predictive analytics engines are embedded in business processes. Like any innovation, AI is not without risk but it is not the challenge. The real goal is how to govern its responsible use… more
Considering digital colorism and virtual identity
Caribbean – The Caribbean chapter of Women in AI Governance hosted its second meeting on April 30, hosting Christelle Mombo-Zigah for an online presentation on Digital Colorism… more
The BVI and Eastern Caribbean’s push to competently Facilitate Virtual Asset Businesses
Caribbean – With the continued effort to maintain compliance with global Anti-Money Laundering policies and to advance laws to facilitate new forms of business, the BVI and Eastern Caribbean countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines) have all implemented or in the process of implementing Virtual/Digital Asset Legislation and Regulations… more
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Digital transformation must begin with pensioner life certificates
Jamaica – Dear Editor, Much has been written over the years by various individuals, including myself, about the very archaic system of tracking the legitimacy of pensioners to continue receiving pensions… more
Laptops And Consequences
Trinidad and Tobago – As the education stakeholders praise the return of the student laptop program, it’s important to understand how success is gauged. The issue with technology is that metrics are hard to come by, and in the context of education, the results aren’t seen for about a decade… more
PayQal targets forex challenge with digital wallet for SMEs
Trinidad and Tobago – ANDREW Williams, chief executive officer of Trinidad and Tobago-based mobile wallet PayQal, says he created the platform to help local business owners navigate persistent foreign exchange constraints… more
Zakour wants more technology at airports
Trinidad and Tobago – TRANSPORT and Civil Aviation Minister Eli Zakour wants to improve co-ordination with Customs and Excise Division, integrate modern technology and improve parking at the airports… more
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Telecoms competition gets ‘fiercer’
Barbados – Competition in Barbados’ telecommunications market, especially from some of the world’s leading technology companies, has become a lot fiercer… more
PwC report: AI could be big economic boost for Cayman and region
Caribbean – Artificial intelligence could revolutionise the economies of Cayman and those across the Caribbean, the head of a Cayman ‘Big Four’ financial services firm has said… more
Gov’t Fortifying Jamaica’s Cybersecurity Resilience
Jamaica – The Government is enhancing Jamaica’s cybersecurity resilience through a comprehensive strategy that strengthens prevention, detection, and response capabilities against threats… more
‘The Cable’ Expands to Nevis Through Landmark Partnership
Saint Kitts and Nevis – The Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)-led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) has entered into a significant partnership with St. Kitts-Nevis Cable Communications Ltd. (The Cable), marking the introduction of Nevis’s third telecommunications service provider… more
ALTA widens access to online literacy classes with ‘EPIC’ ICT Lab
Trinidad and Tobago – On May 14, the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA) opened the doors to an upgraded training room and ICT centre at its Belmont office, enhancing the organisation’s capacity to serve literacy students, train volunteer tutors, and offer digital access to the wider community of Belmont… more
Maiden public speech by AI Minister
Trinidad and Tobago – This speech given by Dominic Smith at the second annual Caribbean Spectrum Management Conference on May 13, 2025, is the first public statement by the new minister on his plans for the newly reintegrated public administration and digital ministries. It has been edited only to remove public speech related protocols… more
Thursday, 15 May 2025
Cooper: Bahamas will become digital assets capital of the Americas
Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper predicted yesterday that The Bahamas will become the digital assets capital of the Americas… more
Cost Right online platform for Freeport to also serve Nassau
Bahamas – AML Foods Limited has announced the launch of its new e-commerce platform for Cost Right Freeport – but after the fire that destroyed the Cost Right building in Nassau, people in New Providence can also make use of the platform for deliveries… more
CXC to Unveil Strategies for Digital-Ready Graduates
Caribbean – The Director of Operations with responsibility for examinations services at the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC®), Dr Nicole Manning, will outline CXC’s strategic and tactical responses aimed at equipping and improving the readiness of graduates for employment in the context of a digital world… more
Measuring the digital society to advance digital inclusion in the Caribbean
Caribbean – Caribbean policymakers and regulators are grappling with the challenges and opportunities associated with the digital transformation, and seeking to develop inclusive, evidence-based policies suited to Caribbean realities… more
Tech pros think Cayman could be Caribbean’s ‘Silicon Valley’
Cayman Islands – Cayman could become the Caribbean’s hi-tech hub, the organisers of an event designed to promote computing have said… more
915 suicide prevention hotline, online chat support, videos launched
Guyana – The Ministry of Health on Wednesday launched its toll-free 915 suicide prevention hotline, saying the “crucial lifeline” was being supported by emergency responders… more
‘Mastercard Day’ in Jamaica celebrates innovation and partnership as catalysts for digital, economic advancement
Jamaica – Payment multinational Mastercard returned to Jamaica for its ‘Mastercard Day’, reinforcing its commitment to fostering the region’s digital transformation… more
Sagicor Group Jamaica renews multi-million dollar investment in Innovation Lab with Utech
Jamaica – Sagicor Group Jamaica (“Sagicor”) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech), recommitting to the Sagicor–UTech Innovation Lab, based on the University’s Papine campus… more
Smith: AI, connectivity, regional integration at heart of govt’s tech vision
Trinidad and Tobago – Positioning efficient spectrum management as vital to national development and regional digital sovereignty, Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dominic Smith has reaffirmed the new government’s commitment to driving AI-enabled transformation, economic growth, and inclusive connectivity in TT and the wider Caribbean… more
Friday, 16 May 2025
CDB to launch USD$100,000 Caribbean Stock Photography digital platform initiative
Caribbean – The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB, the Bank), through its Cultural and Creative Industries Innovation Fund (CIIF), is launching a Caribbean Stock Photography: Digital Business Solution Grant Call and has advertised for a Call for Proposal from the Bank’s 19 Borrowing Member Countries… more
NTRC call for Universal Service Fund project proposals
Grenada – The NTRC invites individuals and organisations to submit project ideas to be considered for funding under the Universal Service Fund (USF)… more
Guardsman targets US$250-m cybersecurity market
Jamaica – From a single man and his dog, the Guardsman Group has built a regional security empire. Now it’s adding cyber-intelligence to its portfolio, responding to rising demand in a market estimated to be worth at least US$250 million ($40 billion) locally… more
Mastercard targets 10 per cent growth in digital payments by 2030
Jamaica – Mastercard is looking to further reduce the cash reliance of Jamaicans, with expectations to push-up digital payment usage over the next five years as the company actively collaborates with key stakeholders to build-out a stronger digital ecosystem… more
Caribbean Airlines Cargo partners with digital bookings platform
Trinidad and Tobago – Caribbean Airlines Cargo has announced its partnership with cargo.one, a digital air cargo bookings platform… more
T&T students get first-hand info about Flow
Trinidad and Tobago – Students from The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) were recently given a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of the Caribbean’s most advanced telecommunications provider during a visit to Flow Barbados’ headquarters in Warrens… more
Saturday, 17 May 2025
Insurers urged to boost tech services
Barbados – THE ROLE of the financial advisor could successfully evolve in a tech enabled direct-to-consumer world if there was a balance in technology to cater to a new generation of customers… more
Belize Launches Online Criminal Records Registry for Faster, Easier Access
Belize – The government has launched a new Online Criminal Records Registry (CRR), aimed at modernising access to police records and streamlining public services… more
New Online System Makes Getting Police Records Easier Than Ever
Belize – In a groundbreaking step toward digital transformation, the Government of Belize has officially launched the new Online Criminal Records Registry—better known as the CRR system—ushering in a new era of convenience, transparency, and efficiency for the public… more
Central Bank warns public about fraudulent website
Barbados – The Central Bank of Barbados has issued an urgent warning to the public about a fraudulent website—centralbankorg.com—which it says is falsely claiming to be affiliated with the institution… more
Sunday, 18 May 2025
GOING BIG ON TECH
Jamaica – AS 2025 gears up to be a potentially turbulent year with wild market swings Sagicor Group Jamaica Limited (SJ) is looking to continue its digital transformation journey while improving collaboration across the group’s numerous subsidiaries… more
Guardsman launches new cybersecurity centre
Jamaica – Guardsman Group Limited has launched its new Cyber Secure Operations Centre, SOC, in Kingston, which Group Director of Finance Neil Robinson says was outfitted at a cost of just under US$2 million… more
Massy moving forward with technology
Trinidad and Tobago – THE rapid evolution of the technological landscape places a demand on businesses to grow with it. From automating processes to modernising systems, companies are tasked with moving just as quickly as the digital world… more
Images credit: Gerd Altmann (Pixabay); PayQal (Facebook); The Cable; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Caribbean Airlines (Facebook); Wikipedia;
