In our July 2026 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Electrical Engineer and University Lecturer Carolyn Ferguson Arnold, who is based in Jamaica, and Andrew Olton, an Information Technology and Project Manager based in Trinidad and Tobago, the panel discusses: The launch of 5G in Jamaica and opportunities for Caribbean cooperation; Beyond Automation: AI and the Future of Caribbean Competitiveness; and AI/technology and trends in violence in the Caribbean.

 

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

The pace of technological change shows no signs of slowing, and for the Caribbean region, the choices made today will have far-reaching implications for its economic resilience, social development and global competitiveness. The advances in digital infrastructure, the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), along with other emerging technologies, are increasingly shaping how countries innovate, deliver public services, respond to emerging challenges and create opportunities for their citizens.

However, the conversation about technology in the Caribbean cannot be limited to adoption alone, as was discussed in a recent interview with Dr Craig Ramlal and Rodney Taylor, the Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union. As new capabilities emerge, so too do complex questions about preparedness, collaboration, governance and the unintended consequences that accompany innovation. Hence, the region must consider not only how to embrace new technologies, but also how to ensure they are deployed in ways that strengthen economies, improve lives and safeguard communities.

In this episode of the podcast, we examine some of the most pressing issues at the intersection of technology, policy and society. Our discussion considers both the opportunities and the challenges presented by a rapidly evolving digital landscape, highlighting why thoughtful leadership, regional cooperation and forward-looking strategies will be essential if the Caribbean is to fully realise the promise of the digital age.

 

Introducing our guests

Andrew Olton

Andrew Olton is a technology and transformation leader with a passion for helping organisations navigate the intersection of strategy, governance, and emerging technologies. With experience spanning digital transformation, cybersecurity, enterprise systems, AI, and IT governance, he has led initiatives that modernise operations, strengthen institutional resilience, and improve decision-making across the public and private sectors.

Andrew is particularly interested in how AI is reshaping business, government, and society. His work explores practical approaches to AI adoption, digital public infrastructure, enterprise risk, and the future of work, with a focus on creating measurable value rather than chasing technology trends.

Beyond his leadership roles, Andrew is building AI platforms designed to help organisations deploy, govern, and measure intelligent agents at scale. He is a frequent speaker on technology, innovation, and leadership, and enjoys translating complex technical concepts into ideas that executives, policymakers, and business leaders can put into practice.

Based in Trinidad and Tobago, Andrew believes that the future belongs to organisations that combine capable people, strong governance, and intelligent technology to create lasting competitive advantage.

Carolyn Ferguson Arnold

 

Carolyn Ferguson Arnold is a Lecturer in Electrical and Computer Engineering and former Programme Director at the University of Technology, Jamaica. A Senior Member of the IEEE with three decades of experience spanning telecommunications, project management, and academic leadership, her expertise lies in 5G network evolution and spectrum management.

Beyond her core technical research, Carolyn is deeply interested in reforming engineering pedagogy through game-based learning. She also serves on the Consumer Advisory Committee on Utilities (CACU), where she advocates for consumer rights and equity within the utilities and telecommunications sectors.

 

The topics discussed

Deployment of fifth-generation technology (5G) for mobile/cellular communications has been a goal for many countries worldwide, including those in the Caribbean, as it promises, among other things, ultra-fast speeds, lower latency, and enhanced energy efficiency, thereby opening up a range of opportunities. At the same time, it could be argued that opportunities that truly benefit from 5G are highly specific and require careful, intentional consideration. 5G was recently launched in many countries across the region, including Jamaica, and though having access to that technology is indeed an achievement, to kick off our Community Chat by discussing The launch of 5G in Jamaica and opportunities for Caribbean cooperation.

Then, the panel changed focus and examined the subject, Beyond automation: AI and the future of Caribbean competitiveness, where it was initially acknowledged that, to varying degrees, Caribbean countries are concerned about the impact of AI and automation. Although the efficiency and productivity gains due to AI are often highlighted, the potential for job loss is a real source of anxiety in many quarters. At the same time, we cannot overlook the fact that with everyone using AI and automation—that is, using the same mousetrap—industries and countries could become less competitive due to their inability to truly distinguish themselves from their competitors… who are also using AI and automation.

Finally, we wrapped up this month’s chat with AI/technology and trends in violence in the Caribbean, noting that in recent weeks there have been quite a few (relatively speaking) news articles highlighting the use of AI and other newer technologies to inflict harm on others. Of particular note are cyberbullying, sexual harassment and gender-based violence, which may be gaining more visibility and greater awareness among policymakers and the wider society. Clearly, committing such harms is not new, but they may be becoming more prevalent resulting in greater concern being expressed.

 

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 otherwise, might be useful:

 

 

Images credit:  C Ferguson Arnold;  A Olton;  Magnific (Magnific);  Ravindra Panwar (Pixabay);  rawpixel.com (Magnific)

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez