A roundup of the latest ICT/technology news from across the Caribbean region for the period Monday 26 May to Sunday 1 June 2025.
Monday, 26 May 2025
Internet banking users up 39% amid Sand Dollar fall
Bahamas – The number of Bahamian Internet banking users grew by 39 percent in 2024 to more than 164,000 despite the failure by payments providers to fully integrate the Sand Dollar digital currency… more
Flow launches Technician Pathways to empower and uplift
Barbados – Close to 100 technicians gathered recently for the rollout of the inaugural Flow Barbados Technician Pathways — a groundbreaking initiative designed to inspire, develop, and advance careers of the frontline technical team… more
Jamaica addressing threats by unregulated short-term tourism rentals
Jamaica – Jamaica is intensifying its efforts to address the rapid and unregulated expansion of short-term rental platforms such as AirBnb, which have significantly disrupted the traditional hotel industry and posed risks to the country’s economic stability… more
AI and copyright…Should local creators worry?
Trinidad and Tobago – Musician and former president of the Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) John Arnold believes that AI and copyright should be a priority for the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence… more
Copyright stokes an online blaze
Trinidad and Tobago – The case sparked public debate, with some arguing that the calypsonian’s actions were justified while others supported the photographer’s right to compensation… more
Tuesday, 27 May 2025
Digital innovation grant powers eight Bahamian entrepreneurs to modernise public services
Bahamas – The Government has completed its first Digi Innovative Projects Grant Programme, a $1 million national initiative that empowered eight Bahamian-owned businesses to develop tech-based solutions aimed at transforming public service delivery… more
Local tech firms solve operational issues in govt departments
Bahamas – Eight technology businesses have been rewarded by the government after they designed digital solutions to correct operational issues in several government agencies, the Digital Transformation Unit (DTU) within the Ministry of Economic Affairs said in a press statement yesterday… more
Stop hiring IT consultants — Start hiring transformation strategists
Caribbean – A few weeks ago, a colleague ran into me and said he was working on an international project—and that I was the first person who came to mind when thinking of an IT consultant. While I was flattered, I wanted to hear more about the services he envisioned before I could feel comfortable with the reputation I was seemingly building. Why? … more
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Electronic Travel Authorization System Launched on Monday May 26th, 2025
Saint Kitts and Nevis – On Monday, May 26th, 2025, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis announced the launch of the federation’s new Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) System… more
AI-powered local sci-fi film in the works
Trinidad and Tobago – Trinidad and Tobago could soon see its first locally authored sci-fi fantasy film powered by artificial intelligence (AI)… more
Wednesday, 28 May 2025
Minding govt business: ‘Pearly’ app to streamline public service reporting
Barbados – Acutting-edge mobile app developed by a rising tech whizz has been launched in an attempt to revolutionise how citizens flag public service issues—from water outages to road repairs—while boosting government accountability and transparency… more
PM mulls AI, privatisation in public transport overhaul
Barbados – Prime Minister Mia Mottley has set out proposals to revamp the public transport network, with artificial intelligence at the heart of plans to optimise bus routes and a new Mass Transit Authority to regulate a fully privatised transit system… more
Thursday, 29 May 2025
UWI conference aims to promote tech transformation, Caribbean must prepare for AI’s impact
Antigua and Barbuda – The University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) will host its second annual Artificial Intelligence conference next month, warning that Caribbean nations must urgently prepare for technological changes already reshaping the global economy… more
5 everyday ways AI is changing our lives
Caribbean – ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) has quietly slipped into our daily lives, and many people still don’t realise just how much it can do to improve their routines, goals and well-being. For years, we thought of AI as something only tech companies or large corporations could access… more
Barbados, Bahamas pilot instant cross-border payment system
Caribbean – Instant cross-border payments in local currencies have moved from ambition to reality in the Caribbean, with a landmark pilot between Barbados and The Bahamas demonstrating the viability of a system that could revolutionise regional trade and financial independence, Central Bank of Barbados Governor Dr Kevin Greenidge has revealed… more
Driving technological transformation in the Caribbean
Caribbean – WHEN we consider technology innovation, this service cannot be confined just to TT. With subsidiaries across the Caribbean, including in Guyana, Jamaica, Barbados and Panama, and authorised resellers in Grenada St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, the company has become a regional leader in the technology space… more
Expert: AI could help Cayman reduce reliance on expat labour
Caribbean – Artificial intelligence may be Cayman’s secret weapon in tackling its heavy reliance on foreign labour. That’s the message from Tamsin Deasey-Weinstein, director at the University College of the Cayman Islands and a key voice in the island’s growing AI movement… more
USF to install another 63 community Wi-Fi hotspots island-wide
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) says it will install 63 additional community Wi-Fi hotspots across Jamaica by the end of this fiscal year… more
Friday, 30 May 2025
Public sector workers, students to benefit from special rates for AI Research Conference
Antigua and Barbuda – Public sector employees have the opportunity to participate in The University of the West Indies (UWI) Five Islands Campus’ second annual Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research Conference at a discounted rate… more
Caricom signs MOU for AI integration
Caribbean – AS artificial intelligence (AI) becomes a more critical component of education and finance, the Caricom Private Sector Organization (CPSO) Secretariat has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with financial education provider WizdomCRM Caribbean Ltd… more
US social media vetting pauses Cayman student visa interviews
Cayman Islands – The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to implement mandatory social media vetting for all foreign students applying to study in the United States, a move that could impact Caymanian students planning to attend US colleges and universities… more
Trade Board launches online academy to help local exporters
Jamaica – The Jamaica Trade Board recently launched an online export academy in order to train Jamaican exporters on how to navigate the various steps involved in exporting… more
PM: Don’t want a laptop? Just say so
Trinidad and Tobago – PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar says the distribution of digital devices such as laptops and tablets should not be determined through means tests, as they are far too subjective… more
Saturday, 31 May 2025
C&W Communications is now Liberty Caribbean
Caribbean – C&W COMMUNICATIONS has officially changed its name to Liberty Caribbean… more
The Hive Careers aim to connect 20,000 people across the Caribbean with global opportunities
Jamaica – In a bold move to unlock the full potential of Caribbean talent, The Hive Careers has announced its vision to connect 20,000 individuals across 21 regional islands with career development and job opportunities in 2025… more
USF pursuing solar energy to power community Wi-Fi services
Jamaica – The Universal Service Fund (USF) is taking decisive steps to improve its operational efficiency by reducing reliance on the national electricity grid to power its community Wi-Fi facilities… more
Sunday, 1 June 2025
Tablets and phones are dangerous for young children
Guyana – “I don’t understand how she could have this child watching videos the whole day, sometimes even late in the night and it really gets me angry.” … more
Dataffluent makes the market clear
Jamaica – INVESTING in the Jamaican stock market is often frustrating due to poor access to timely, organised data. While global platforms like Bloomberg simplify investment research, Jamaica still struggles with digitisation and data accessibility… more
Technology consultant, Richardo Fraser: T&T needs proactive AI legislation
Trinidad and Tobago – While President Christine Kangaloo has made a call for accelerated legislative action on Artificial Intelligence (AI), managing director of ACE Strategic Solutions Ltd, Ricardo Fraser wants the business community and the public in general to look at the pros and cons of AI’s impact… more
Images credit: Maria Orlova (Pexels); Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikipedia; Wikimedia Commons
