CARICOM Must Move Faster on AI
Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has urged CARICOM leaders to accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence and digital transformation, stressing the need to equip young people with digital skills and to move beyond policy to measurable implementation. He warned small Caribbean states cannot tackle AI, data governance and digital trade challenges alone and called for stronger regional cooperation to protect competitiveness and sovereignty.
Grenada Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell has urged CARICOM leaders to move quickly to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerate digital transformation across the region, saying the capacity to act now will determine Caribbean competitiveness in the global economy. Speaking at a CARICOM meeting on Information and Communication Technology, Mitchell — who carries responsibility for science and technology within the regional grouping — said AI offers clear benefits for public services, productivity and the creation of new industries.
He warned, however, that development must be guided by fairness, trust and ethical standards. “We must move decisively from policy discussions to measurable implementation and outcomes to build a CARICOM digital economy,” Mitchell said, emphasising the need for concrete projects and clear milestones rather than prolonged debate.
Mitchell highlighted three priority areas: investment in digital skills training for young people, strengthening cybersecurity, and upgrading modern technology infrastructure. He argued that these are essential both to capture opportunities presented by AI and to manage new risks around data governance, digital trade and internet regulation as global rules evolve.
The Grenadian leader also warned that small Caribbean states cannot solve major digital challenges on their own, especially amid rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty. He called for deeper regional cooperation so member states can pool resources, harmonise rules and safeguard resilience and sovereignty.
For British Virgin Islands residents, Mitchell’s message has practical relevance despite the BVI’s status as a British Overseas Territory rather than a full CARICOM member. The same opportunities and threats — from AI-driven changes in tourism and financial services to cyber‑security risks and the need for digital public services — apply locally.
Faster adoption of AI and improved digital skills could support visitor services, remote work, fintech development and more efficient government services in the BVI. Local officials, educators and businesses should consider the implications: expanding digital training in schools and vocational programmes, prioritising investment in resilient broadband and cloud infrastructure, strengthening cyber incident preparedness, and engaging with regional initiatives to align standards and access training resources.
Mitchell’s call for urgent, coordinated action underscores a broader regional imperative: without tangible implementation and shared frameworks, small jurisdictions risk falling behind as AI reshapes economies and governance. CARICOM’s next steps will be watched closely by governments across the Caribbean, including policymakers in the BVI seeking to protect jobs, services and sovereignty in a rapidly changing digital landscape.
Primary source: BVI News