AGP Executive Report

Education Tech & Assessment: CXC officially launches the Caribbean Targeted Education Certificate (CTEC), breaking subjects into focused modules after a modular maths pilot delivered an 88% pass rate. AI for Accessibility: Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission (BCJ) partners with UNESCO for the AI4IA conference on Sept. 28, aiming to build AI-enabled workflows for search, synthesis and knowledge products. Early Childhood Focus: The Early Childhood Commission (ECC) doubles down on the Zero to Three Strategy, including Brain Builder Centres (free daycares) to integrate health, nutrition and early intervention. Boys’ Underperformance: The Education Ministry moves to identify practical interventions to close the boys vs girls performance gap, with educators to be engaged in the process. Public Safety & Radiation Skills: HSRA at UWI runs a hands-on drill with Jamaica Fire Brigade Hazmat units to improve response to radioactive material incidents. Digital Health Policy: Jamaica will set standards and systems to support secure, widespread electronic prescribing and dispensing. Scholarships & Talent Pipeline: UK Chevening/Commonwealth/Queen Elizabeth Trust scholarships go to young Jamaicans, while Jamaica’s Promise opens $8m+ for final-year tertiary students. Climate & Nature Tech: UNEP backs a Drought Resilience Capacity Index, and regional coral “assisted gene flow” ideas highlight the need for careful, safeguard-led reef restoration.

Digital Trade & SMEs: Puerto Rico’s CUD is pushing a new “Caribe Unido” digital platform to help local SMEs connect with Caribbean markets, including Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, and actually market services across borders. Health Tech & Policy: Jamaica is moving to set standards for secure, widespread electronic prescribing and dispensing, aiming to expand beyond current e-transmission rules. Education & Skills: The Ministry of Education is strengthening TVET in high schools, with a push for more students to graduate with recognised skills certification. AI & Media Trust: Caribbean broadcasters are being urged to lead on AI adoption with trust, authenticity, and human verification as deepfakes make verification harder. Climate Resilience Research: UNEP’s new Drought Resilience Capacity Index proposes a practical framework to “anticipate, prepare and adapt” to drought impacts. Marine Conservation: A call for responsible coral sharing across the Caribbean highlights how heat-tolerant restoration could help reefs survive. Radiological Preparedness: Jamaica is developing a national radiological incident and emergency response plan with specialised training for key agencies. Aviation Infrastructure: AAJ says the Norman Manley runway extension is required for safety and won’t raise flooding or tidal risk.

Digital Health Policy: Jamaica will set standards and a supporting framework for secure, widespread electronic prescribing and dispensing, with the Efficiency, Innovation and Digital Transformation portfolio saying pharmacy regulations already allow electronic transmission but broader rollout needs policy and systems. Radiation Safety Preparedness: The Hazardous Substances Regulatory Authority is developing a national radiological incident and emergency response plan, guided by IAEA standards, alongside ODPEM, ICENS, the JDF, JCF, Fire Brigade, universities and other partners. Aviation Infrastructure: The Airports Authority of Jamaica says the Norman Manley International Airport runway extension is required for ICAO safety rules and will not worsen flooding or tidal activity, using dredging material from Kingston Harbour. Parliament Transparency: The Houses of Parliament has launched a new website to make legislative information easier to find across years, aiming to boost access for the public, media, educators and researchers. Education & Skills: The Education Ministry plans to strengthen TVET in high schools, including legislative changes to expand HEART/NSTA Trust involvement, and push recognised skills certification. Scholarships & Training: Multiple scholarship announcements highlight skills-building, including UK-funded master’s awards for seven Jamaicans and agricultural scholarships totalling over $17M. AI Media Trust: Jamaica’s broadcasting regulator is urging Caribbean broadcasters to prioritise trust, authenticity and human verification as deepfakes and AI-generated content rise.

Public Safety & Health: Jamaica’s Global School-based Health Survey flags a sharp rise in student obesity (15.3%) and overweight (31.7%), alongside less physical activity and more screen time. Education & Youth Mentorship: The JCF Cadet Academy is pushing a structured alternative for boys, with reported 100% pass rates in IT and Physical Education & Sports at CSEC and strong CAPE results. Business Tech & Digital Growth: Atlantic Hardware is moving toward e-commerce after record revenue and profit gains, while MFS completes its CBM takeover (terms undisclosed), expanding a tech-enabled office supplies and workplace products portfolio. Financial Resilience Rules: The FSC proposes mandatory crisis recovery plans and annual exercises for insurers and securities dealers, with rapid reporting to the regulator. Climate & Agriculture: Drought linked to El Niño is worsening recovery after Hurricane Melissa, hitting crop yields and harvested area. Connectivity: CTU says high intra-Caricom roaming charges still persist despite a 2022 regional pledge to cut fees. STEM & Scholarships: Commonwealth Scholar Ricardo Hunter heads to the UK for an MSc in Innovation and Technology Management at the University of Bath; GHN also expands its Beyond the Backpack scholarships to 48 students. Creative Economy Policy: Jamaica’s animation industry gets a public consultation for the National Animation Policy in Green Paper stage.

National Animation Policy Consultation: The Office of the Prime Minister held a public consultation on the Green Paper stage of Jamaica’s National Animation Policy, urging local animators to submit what they want included to grow a more competitive, sustainable industry. Climate & Farming Tech: ADOPT Caribbean soil-health kits were handed over to farmers in Jamaica and the region, with tools like rain gauges, pH meters, and irrigation-support supplies aimed at climate-resilient agriculture. AI in Daily Life: Digicel says its Ruby AI system is already handling a large share of customer-care conversations in Jamaica, positioning AI as support for agents, not replacement. Education & Skills: JCF Cadet Academy students posted strong CSEC and CAPE results, while a new AI mental wellness companion called Choobi is being built to reduce stigma and improve access to support. Justice & AI: Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says AI should enhance court efficiency without replacing judges or staff. Public Services Pressure: Oracabessa’s library closure has students worried about access to books, internet, printing, and study space. Health & Youth: NCDA reports fewer teens are drinking or using ganja, but warns remaining levels still need stronger prevention and enforcement. Disaster Readiness: CIMH and UWI are urging Caribbean preparations for intensifying heat and drought as El Niño strengthens. Creator Economy: FENIX360 launched “Streaming Reimagined,” partnering with Gaana to add direct-to-fan integration and monetization tools.

Agri Tech & Recovery: Ayesha Curry, Back to the Roots and AFJ announced a JMD $120M donation of organic seeds for Jamaica’s Hurricane Melissa recovery, distributed by RADA to help small farmers rebuild food security. AI in Daily Life: Digicel says its Ruby AI assistant in Jamaica handled 55% of customer-care interactions (535,000 conversations) without needing a human agent for many routine requests. Education & Youth Tech: Choobi, an AI mental-wellness companion, is being built to reduce stigma and cost barriers to support, while UWI named seven new professors across climate, cancer care, blood safety and information literacy. Robotics & Sports: Chinese humanoid robots Tiangong Ultra and “Lightning” beat Usain Bolt’s 100m mark at the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. Public Health & Policy: NCDA reports fewer teens are drinking or using ganja, but alcohol exposure and early use remain concerns; Chief Justice Bryan Sykes says AI should boost court efficiency, not replace staff. Community Access: Oracabessa’s library closure has students worried about lost study, printing and internet access. STEM for Kids: Supreme Ventures’ Junior Creators Robotics Camp trained young innovators in AI, coding and wearable tech.

Media & AI Literacy: UNESCO-backed SIM Caribbean workshop in Grenada brought together regional media stakeholders to sharpen journalism ethics, media and information literacy, and the ethics of AI. UWI Research & Health Training: UWI named seven new professors across climate resilience, cancer care, blood safety, and Hispanic Caribbean cultural life, while ICENS (UWI Mona) is training radiation protection specialists for CARICOM via a new postgraduate programme. Digital Finance & Core Banking: Aero Services Credit Union (Trinidad & Tobago) selected Smart Solution’s Universa® core banking suite to power its digital transformation and member services. Climate Tech for Farmers: Jamaica’s agriculture minister commissioned a solar PV pump station, urging farmers to adapt to drought and heat by using solar to cut water costs. AI Skills for Youth: CEAL Green Energy CEO Ryan Roper told education leaders that young people need critical thinking and problem-solving for an AI-driven world. Disaster Tech & Drones: HMS Trent tested a heavy-lift drone at sea, exploring drone resupply for humanitarian disaster relief. Radiation Safety Capacity: ICENS highlights its reactor and gamma irradiator facilities as hands-on training tools for the next generation of radiation safety professionals. Public Trust in Courts: Commentary on the CCJ controversy flags how leaked correspondence and judge conduct disputes could damage confidence in the institution. Tech Policy for Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica is pushing for legislation to enable electronic prescribing and dispensing. Robotics Spotlight: Chinese humanoid robots beat human sprint records at the World Humanoid Robot Games, underscoring fast advances in AI-driven robotics.

Digital Payments Boost: Jamaica’s central bank says Jam-Dex transactions jumped to $51.7m in the first seven months to July, as it works to widen wallet providers and point-of-sale acceptance. Health Tech Policy: The Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica is pushing for legislation to enable electronic prescribing and dispensing, calling the current system outdated. STEM Education: Project RISE ran a STEAM summer camp in Kingston, bringing hands-on robotics, coding and science to underserved youth. Robotics Meets Sport: Chinese humanoid robots at Beijing’s World Humanoid Robot Games reportedly beat Usain Bolt’s 100m and other human sprint benchmarks, highlighting fast AI-driven advances. Scholarships for Healthcare: 131 people are set to receive the Dr Barry Wint Memorial Scholarships, expanding training across specialist nursing, midwifery, medicine and more. Learning Gains: A Grade Seven Academy reading initiative reports a major improvement in Grade 8 reading performance, with most students moving up after targeted interventions.

Digital Payments in Jamaica: Bank of Jamaica says Jam-Dex transactions have surged to $51.7m in seven months to July, with about 320,000 subscribers, as it pushes more wallet providers and wider point-of-sale acceptance. Health Tech Policy: The Pharmaceutical Society of Jamaica is urging new legislation to enable electronic prescribing and dispensing, calling the current system outdated. STEAM for Youth: Project RISE ran a community STEAM summer camp in Kingston, while SVF’s Junior Creators Robotics Camp put 80 young innovators through coding, AI, robotics and wearable tech. Education & Resilience: After Hurricane Melissa disrupted western schools, Region Four expanded a volunteer-led online enhancement programme to six days a week, targeting math first and then adding languages, English and science. Cyber & Continuity: A business continuity push warns companies to treat digital systems as critical disaster assets, not an afterthought. UN AI Use: The UN highlights AI tools being used for human rights, healthcare and climate action, including Jamaica-linked accessible learning tech.

Digital Currency Update: Jamaica’s Jam-Dex is surging, with transactions hitting $51.7m in the first seven months of 2026 as the Bank of Jamaica expands merchant acceptance and prepares more wallet providers for rollout in 2027. Justice Tech: Jamaica’s Judiciary plans an integrated electronic case management system, targeting a go-live date of Oct 1, 2027, alongside a shift toward a more paperless court process. Diaspora Fintech: Jevaughn Smith’s Caribbean Capital Network (CCN) is using AI to connect Caribbean diaspora investors with vetted, regulated investment opportunities across the region, starting with Jamaica, Guyana and Trinidad. STEAM in Communities: Project RISE ran a STEAM summer camp in Kingston, while Grace & Staff’s International Youth Day event pushed “Different Communities. One Digital Future” with hands-on tech and AI-responsible-use discussions. Education & Scholarships: Petrojam awarded PEP scholarships to four top primary students, and the PM’s National Medal for Science, Technology and Innovation plus National Innovation Awards opened for 2026 entries. Underwater Archaeology: UTC students were featured on Discovery Channel after work at Port Royal helped uncover a previously unlocated British warship.

AI & Human Rights: The UN is rolling out AI for education access (like UNICEF’s AI-assisted interactive textbooks in Jamaica), faster methane leak detection, and broader human rights and humanitarian work. STEM for Youth: Supreme Ventures Foundation’s SVF Junior Creators Robotics Camp put 80 students through hands-on AI, robotics, coding and wearable tech at Caymanas Park. Digital Justice: Jamaica’s Judiciary says an integrated electronic case management system is set to go live October 1, 2027, with major spend on software, training, and a shift away from paper files. Cybersecurity & Payments: A new security demo shows how AI assistants can speed up invoice and wire-transfer fraud after a mailbox compromise—so finance teams need stronger checks. Education Policy Debate: Jamaica Teachers’ Association leaders and educators are pushing for more human-led learning and physical schooling, warning against overreliance on AI in classrooms. Science Awards Call: Applications are open for the 2026 Prime Minister’s National Medal for Science, Technology and Innovation and National Innovation Awards under “Science Solves.” Local Tech & Learning Access: Grace & Staff’s International Youth Day event at Caribbean Maritime University focused on preparing young people for a digital future, including responsible AI use. Infrastructure & Tech Governance: Airports Authority of Jamaica refutes claims that the NMIA runway extension is causing seawater ingress in Port Royal.

US Immigration Policy: A US federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s “pause” on visas for immigrants from 75 countries, saying the blanket approach was beyond the Secretary of State’s authority and violated requirements for individual assessments. Jamaica Courts Tech: Jamaica’s Judiciary is set to launch an integrated electronic case management system on October 1, 2027, with the government budgeting at least US$5m for software and training as it moves toward paperless courts. AI & Education: The UN is scaling AI-assisted accessible digital textbooks for children with disabilities, expanding to 17 countries and aiming for 50 by 2030. Cyber & Payments Fraud: A security demo shows how AI assistants can speed up email-based wire transfer fraud—compromised inbox to redirected payments in multiple steps. School Support After Melissa: Western Jamaica’s six-day-a-week online learning push, started after Hurricane Melissa, is credited with helping students prepare for CSEC/CAPE exams. Campus Security: UWI Mona says it’s tightening safety with more surveillance cameras and expanding campus police personnel. Scholarships: Petrojam awarded PEP scholarships to four top primary students, including laptops and tuition support. Inflation Watch: Bank of Jamaica’s new governor, Brian Langrin, kept the policy rate at 5.5% while warning inflation risks remain tilted upward.

Science & Innovation Awards: Applications are open for the 2026 Prime Minister’s National Medal for Science, Technology and Innovation and the National Innovation Awards under “Science Solves,” with categories spanning digital transformation, health, energy and youth innovation. AI Fraud Risk: A new security demonstration shows how AI assistants can speed up wire-transfer fraud when attackers compromise email accounts and manipulate approvals—raising alarms for finance teams and payment checks. Airport & Coastal Safety: The Airports Authority of Jamaica rejects claims that the NMIA runway extension is causing seawater ingress in Port Royal, pointing to prior engineering and environmental studies. Monetary Policy Watch: Bank of Jamaica Governor Dr Brian Langrin keeps the policy rate at 5.50% while warning inflation risks are tilted upward and second-round effects are beginning to show. Early Childhood Security: The CHASE Fund completes $15m perimeter fencing at 10 early childhood institutions to improve safety ahead of the new school year. UWI Campus Security: UWI Mona security manager Marlon Nesbeth says surveillance is being expanded, including license plate recognition and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, as the campus maintains “safe days.” Tech Education & Training: CHASE/education support continues alongside scholarship and skills efforts, including CHASE Fund upgrades and Sagicor Foundation scholarship grants.

Monetary Policy Watch: Bank of Jamaica’s new governor Dr Brian Langrin kept the policy rate at 5.5% but warned inflation risks are tilted upward, with second-round effects starting to show in services and processed foods. Education & Skills: Jamaica reported strong 2026 CXC results despite Hurricane Melissa, with gains in mathematics and English A, while a CHASE Fund project finished $15m perimeter fencing at 10 early childhood institutions to meet safety standards. Campus Security: UWI Mona security manager Marlon Nesbeth says the university will expand surveillance, including license plate recognition, and restructure campus policing with a major staffing increase. Youth Opportunities: Sagicor Foundation Jamaica rolled out $27.8m in scholarships, grants and awards for the 2026-27 year, and CHASE/other initiatives push training and safer learning environments. Tourism Innovation: TEF and UTech Jamaica signed on to support the Tourism Innovation Incubator under “Tourism 3.0,” aiming to train more people and back entrepreneurs. Regional Tech/Finance: A CARICOM Stock Market AI game is being developed to help people across the region learn investing through a simulation ahead of deeper market integration.

Radiation Safety Training: UWI STAR is rolling out a new radiation protection and safety post-graduate education course across the English-speaking Caribbean, aiming to build local capacity as ionising radiation use grows in healthcare and research. Cybersecurity Watch: The UWI says it’s investigating a potential ransomware-related alert, with no confirmed breach or leaked data so far, and is urging users to avoid suspicious links and report odd activity. Tourism Innovation Support: TEF and UTech Jamaica signed an agreement to back the Tourism Innovation Incubator under “Tourism 3.0,” enrolling more people for tourism training and supporting entrepreneurs. Digital Justice Upgrade: Jamaica’s Chief Justice says the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) is set to go live on Oct. 1, 2027, to modernise court case handling. Agritech Investment Pipeline: Agro-Invest Corporation says it has secured over $4B in new agricultural investment leads to tackle bottlenecks like climate-resilient infrastructure and cold-storage logistics. Education Results: Jamaica’s Ministry of Education reports strong preliminary CAPE/CSEC performance, highlighting gains in mathematics despite Hurricane Melissa disruptions.

UWI Cybersecurity: The University of the West Indies says it’s investigating a ransomware-related alert but has found no confirmed breach or leaked information, and has activated its incident response while urging users to avoid suspicious links and report odd activity. Justice Digitisation: Jamaica’s Judiciary says its Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) will go live Oct 1, 2027, aiming to modernise court case handling and reduce delays. Tourism Tech Training: TEF and UTech Jamaica signed an agreement to support the TEF Tourism Innovation Incubator under “Tourism 3.0,” expanding training and business intermediary support for tourism entrepreneurs. Education Resilience: Jamaica’s Ministry of Education reports strong 2026 CAPE/CSEC preliminary results despite Hurricane Melissa, with notable gains in mathematics and English A. Early Childhood Screening: ECC is running a nationwide Ages and Stages Questionnaire-Jamaica developmental screening drive until Sept 4 to catch needs early and connect families to support. Agribusiness Investment: Agro-Invest Corporation says it has secured over $4B in new agricultural investment leads to scale climate-resilient infrastructure, irrigation improvements, and agro-park expansion. Housing After Melissa: NHT says modular homes under a $3.1B emergency contract are arriving steadily, with 1,500 units already on island and 1,000 more expected by September. Mining Exploration: C3 Metals reports new underground mapping and plans an 11-hole drilling programme at Bellas Gate, St Catherine, to test deeper copper and gold targets.