In our September 2025 Community Chat, and with youth members of the Caribbean tech community, Data Scientist and Researcher, Julie Koon Koon of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Co-CEO of Orbtronics and Rifbid, Keeghan Patrick, of Saint Lucia, the panel discusses: whether the use of AI for digital transformation and innovation is evident in the Caribbean region; women’s empowerment in ICTs; and the changing job market due to AI and the implications for new and imminent graduates. 

 

This episode is also available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.

Our monthly Community Chat episode has become an institution on the ICT Pulse Podcast. Guest panellists are invited to submit ICT-related topics relevant to the Caribbean region for discussion, and thus, the opportunity to share their own unique perspectives on a broad range of issues. Sometimes the agreed topics are diverse with no obvious connection between them, but often common (and sometimes surprising) themes can emerge.

This month’s Community Chat is a bit different from the norm, as both our guests are from the youth demographic. Although Caribbean youth have participated in past episodes, we are interested in better understanding what they think about the regional tech space and how it is evolving. However, before we introduce our guests, below are the topics discussed.

 

The topics discussed

Our first topic continues the regional conversation on artificial intelligence (AI) but considers it within the context of digital transformation and innovation. Although in previous years, there was an emphasis on digital transformation and innovation across the region, there were often numerous reasons why the results envisaged had not been realised – cost, limited access to expertise, insufficient manpower, etc. However, today, it could be argued that thanks to AI, and more specifically, generative AI, new and different strategies can be employed that could accelerate the region’s digital transformation and innovation. Hence, Is the use of AI for digital transformation and innovation evident in the Caribbean region?

Thereafter, the panel tackled, Women’s empowerment in ICTs: Is it still relevant? What opportunities are available?  Historically, female enrolment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)-related subjects or academic programmes was low, and consequently, the pursuit of STEM-related or STEM-associated careers was also low. However, in recent years, thanks to proactive advocacy and support for more women in ICT, there has been an uptick in female enrolment in tertiary-level institutions and in STEM and ICT-related roles in the workplace. Hence, in this session, the question of whether such efforts are still necessary kicked off that discussion.  

Finally, although our panellists are established and working professionals, our last topic speaks to an emerging trend: The changing job market due to AI and the implications for new and imminent graduates. Due to its computing power, AI tools are becoming integral to the workplace and are taking over routine and even some entry-level tasks that would most likely be key activities in lower-level roles. However, increasingly, employers are relying on AI platforms to execute these tasks, either obviating the need for some entry-level roles or now requiring recent graduates to possess more skills and experience than had been expected a year or two ago.

 

Introducing our guest panellists

Keeghan Patrick

Keeghan Patrick (Saint Lucia) is an exceptionally dedicated problem solver with a strong academic and professional background. He earned a Master’s degree in Advanced Manufacturing and Design from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, complemented by a Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of the West Indies. Keeghan further enriched his knowledge through a semester at Harvard Business School, focusing on Strategy and Technology, and honed his entrepreneurial skills at Draper U Ventures’ Founder Accelerator Program in Silicon Valley. He utilises those skills as the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Orbtronics, a hardware and software engineering solutions firm, and of Rifbid, an AI-powered e-procurement platform. His academic excellence is evident in the numerous scholarships he has received from prestigious institutions such as the Wade Institute of Technology, Stanford University’s Black in Robotics, 3M, and the National Society of Black Engineers.

In addition to his impressive educational achievements, Keeghan is well-connected in various professional circles. He is a member of the Forbes BLK community, the International Telecommunications Union Generation Connect America’s Youth Group, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union Youth Group, and maintains active involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers. This extensive network underscores his commitment to both professional growth and community engagement.

Julie Koon Koon

Julie Koon Koon (Trinidad and Tobago) is a data scientist, researcher at TTLAB, and part-time lecturer with over 10 years of experience in education. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration degree in Business Analytics and holds a Master of Science degree in Data Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and Management from the University of the West Indies.

Julie is also a mentor with Women in Data Science (WIDS) Trinidad and Tobago Chapter and a speaker on data literacy, emerging technologies, and digital equity. Her passion lies in shaping a more inclusive and innovative tech ecosystem in the Caribbean.

 

 

We would love to hear your thoughts!

Do leave us a comment either here beneath this article, or on our Facebook or LinkedIn pages, or via Twitter, @ICTPulse.

Also, if you or a member of your network is interested in joining us for an episode, do get in touch.

Let’s make it happen!

 

Select links

Below are links to some of the organisations and resources that were mentioned during the episode, or might otherwise be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  J Koon Koon;  Obtronics;  Freepik;  Gerd Altmann (Pixabay);  DC Studio (Freepik)

Music credit: The Last Word (Oui Ma Chérie), by Andy Narrell

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez