AGP Executive Report

AI and Innovation: UTech’s four-day Pan-African/Caribbean AI and Smart Systems Conference is bringing researchers, policymakers and industry leaders together to explore AI adoption and governance in Jamaica and the wider Global South. Stronger Connectivity: Flow Jamaica has removed its old underground copper network to make room for more fibre expansion. It has already moved about 170 kilometres of fibre routes underground, helping protect service from storms. Cybersecurity: PwC warns that Jamaican organisations still have gaps in cyber preparedness, governance and keeping critical services running during attacks, even as many plan to raise security spending. Climate Technology: Caribbean climate professionals are training in satellite data, Earth observation and AI tools to support climate planning and strengthen access to climate finance.

AI and Research: UTech’s four-day Africa-Caribbean AI conference is bringing researchers, policymakers and industry leaders together to explore how emerging technologies can support development in the region. Connectivity: Flow Jamaica has removed its legacy underground copper cables, clearing the way to extend fibre underground and reduce storm-related outages; about 170 kilometres of fibre routes have already been relocated. Forest Monitoring: New drone and data-management tools will help Jamaica’s Forestry Department map forests, track vegetation and assess damage, strengthening its response to climate impacts. Cybersecurity: PwC warns that businesses still have major gaps in cyber preparedness and keeping critical services running, even as security budgets rise. Hurricane Forecasting: AI models helped refine forecasts for Hurricane Isaias, but experts stress that human judgement remains vital in interpreting model predictions.

Forest Monitoring: Jamaica’s Forestry Department has received a US$210,000 drone and data system to map forests, track vegetation and assess climate damage. The drone’s advanced sensors will support faster, more detailed surveys. AI Research: UTech is hosting a four-day Africa-Caribbean conference on using artificial intelligence and smart systems to support regional development. Digital Finance: The Senate has approved legislation to license and supervise cryptocurrency and other virtual-asset businesses, with rules aimed at meeting international anti-money-laundering standards. Tech in Education: Seaforth High’s virtual-reality learning programme is drawing attention for its results, while Jamaican teams also won gold and bronze at the Robotics Olympics. Aquaculture: Jamaica has recorded its first marine cage-culture fish harvest, a milestone for technology-supported local food production.

Digital-Asset Rules: The Senate approved legislation requiring virtual-asset businesses to obtain licences and meet anti-money-laundering standards. Forest Technology: The Forestry Department received a survey drone and digital management system to map forests, track damage and guide restoration. Fintech Inclusion: Barita is piloting its BOJ-approved BPay wallet, targeting Jamaicans with limited access to banking services. STEM and Learning: Jamaican students won gold and bronze at the Robotics Olympics, while Seaforth High is seeing strong results from virtual-reality learning. Aquaculture: Jamaica recorded its first marine cage-culture fish harvest, a milestone for technology-driven local production.

Digital Finance: Barita has begun a controlled pilot of its BOJ-approved BPay wallet, targeting unbanked and underbanked Jamaicans ahead of a wider rollout. Forest Technology: The Forestry Department received a VTOL drone and forest-management system to improve mapping, vegetation monitoring and fire assessments. Robotics: Jamaica’s team won a gold award for engineering innovation and bronze for documentation at the FIRST Global Robotics Olympics in South Korea. Learning and AI: Seaforth High is using virtual reality in lessons, while tourism officials are urging the sector to prepare for AI. Clean Energy: Jamaica plans to launch a 300-megawatt renewable-energy auction before year-end.

Forest Tech: Jamaica’s Forestry Department has added a VTOL drone with multispectral, high-resolution and LiDAR sensors, plus a forest management system, to improve mapping, track environmental damage and guide restoration. Robotics: Jamaica’s team at the FIRST Global Robotics Olympics in South Korea won gold for engineering innovation and bronze for engineering documentation. Aquaculture: Jamaica has recorded its first marine cage-culture fish harvest, a milestone for local fish farming. Smart Manufacturing: Honey Bun opened a $1-billion factory in St Catherine, with solar technology helping power operations. Health Research: The International Diabetes Federation has recognised type 5 diabetes, a condition first described in Jamaica in 1955 and linked to malnutrition.

Robotics: Jamaica’s eight-member team won gold for engineering innovation and bronze for engineering documentation at the First Global Robotics Olympics in South Korea. Advanced Manufacturing: Honey Bun opened a $1-billion facility in St. Catherine, expanding production and investing in solar technology. Telecommunications: Flow removed its legacy underground copper network to make room for more fibre routes underground, improving protection against severe weather. Aquaculture: Jamaica’s first marine cage-culture harvest produced more than 5,000 pounds of red drum, a seven-month project led by the National Fisheries Authority and Jamaica Defence Force. Medical Research: The International Diabetes Federation has recognised type 5 diabetes, a condition linked to nutritional deficiency that was first described in Jamaica in 1955.

Robotics: Jamaica’s eight-member team won gold for engineering innovation and shared bronze for engineering documentation at the First Global Robotics Olympics in South Korea. Students from five schools took part. Network Resilience: Flow Jamaica has removed its legacy underground copper network, freeing capacity to move vulnerable fibre routes underground and better protect connectivity during severe weather. Aquaculture: Jamaica’s first marine cage-culture harvest produced more than 5,000 pounds of red drum after a seven-month project in St. Thomas, opening a new avenue for local fish production. Immersive Learning: Seaforth High is using virtual reality in ICT and business classes, helping students explore computer components and connect lessons with practical applications. Diabetes Research: The International Diabetes Federation has recognised type 5 diabetes, a condition linked to nutritional deficiency that was first described in Jamaica in 1955 and may affect millions worldwide.

Telecom Resilience: Flow Jamaica has removed its legacy underground copper network to make room for more fibre routes underground, aiming to better protect connectivity from severe weather. Aquaculture Breakthrough: Jamaica’s first marine cage-culture harvest yielded more than 5,000 pounds of red drum after a seven-month project in St Thomas, opening a new avenue for local fish production. Health Research: The International Diabetes Federation has recognized type 5 diabetes, a condition first described in Jamaica in 1955 and thought to affect millions worldwide. Classroom Technology: Seaforth High is using virtual reality in ICT and business classes, helping students explore computer components and other concepts in an immersive setting. Climate-Smart Farming: A locally developed soil amendment is being prepared for Jamaican farmers; its distributor says it can help crops grow with up to 60 per cent less water.

Network Resilience: Flow Jamaica has removed its legacy underground copper network to make room for more fibre routes underground, aiming to protect connectivity from high winds and falling trees. Classroom Technology: Seaforth High in St Thomas is using virtual reality in ICT and business classes, giving students hands-on practice with equipment and helping boost engagement. Water-Saving Agriculture: A locally developed soil treatment, made with a Jamaican-sourced ingredient, is being prepared for farmers; its distributor says it can help crops grow with up to 60 per cent less water. Tourism and AI: At a regional tourism conference, an expert warned that Caribbean businesses are lagging as travellers use AI to plan trips: 24 per cent of US travellers now use it, while only 12 per cent of Caribbean businesses use AI effectively. Clean Energy: Jamaica plans to launch a 300-megawatt renewable-energy auction before year-end.

Virtual Reality in Schools: Seaforth High in St Thomas is using VR in ICT and business classes, with teachers reporting stronger student engagement and academic results. Drought-Resistant Farming: Jamaican-developed soil amendment Live Soil could help crops grow with up to 60% less water, its distributor says, as it prepares to bring the product to local farmers. AI and Tourism: Caribbean travellers are increasingly using AI to plan trips, but only 12% of regional businesses use it effectively, according to a tourism conference speaker—leaving many small firms harder for AI tools to find. Agricultural Research: A visit to CASE’s Wambugu apple research has sparked interest in growing the fruit in Belize, potentially reducing import dependence. Clean Energy: Jamaica plans to launch a 300-megawatt renewable-energy auction before year-end. Digital Learning: A storm-damaged library at Lacovia High is being rebuilt as a digital learning hub, with its opening set for October 16. Early Childhood Research: Research begun at UWI in the 1980s on nutrition and early stimulation has earned its researchers the 2026 Yidan Prize for Education Development.

AI and Tourism: Caribbean travellers are turning to AI to plan trips, but only 12% of regional businesses use it effectively, a tourism conference heard. Jamaica is among the region’s early adopters, yet businesses risk going unseen if AI tools cannot find them. SME Cybersecurity: Mastercard’s regional survey found 97% of small businesses accept digital payments, while fraud and cyberattacks remain a major barrier to growth; four in ten have delayed adopting digital tools over security concerns. Digital Skills: iamtheCODE plans to offer 600,000 Jamaicans free online training in AI, coding and digital literacy. School Technology: Lacovia High’s storm-damaged library is being transformed into a digital learning hub, scheduled to open October 16. Agricultural Research: Belize’s agriculture minister visited CASE to explore Wambugu apple research as a possible way to diversify production and reduce imports. Jamaica will also chair CARDI’s board, helping shape the region’s agricultural research agenda.

Cybersecurity: Mastercard’s regional survey found 51% of small businesses see fraud and cyberattacks as a major barrier to expanding digital payments, while cyber risks have delayed or halted new technology adoption for four in 10 firms. Digital Skills: A free iamtheCODE programme aims to give 600,000 Jamaicans online training in AI, coding and digital literacy, helping more people prepare for work in the digital economy. Agricultural Research: Jamaica will chair CARDI’s Board of Governors, with priorities including new planting materials and farming methods suited to a changing climate. Clean Energy: Jamaica plans to launch a 300-megawatt renewable-energy auction before year-end, a major step in expanding clean power. Tourism Technology: The Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation is preparing hospitality workers for AI, as the sector explores how the technology can improve services and business growth.

Digital Skills: iamtheCODE will offer 600,000 Jamaicans free online training in AI, coding and digital literacy, supporting the country’s push to widen participation in the digital economy. Agricultural Research: Jamaica will chair CARDI’s board, helping steer regional work on climate-ready crops and farming methods; research into growing Wambugu apples in Portland is already drawing interest from Belize. AI in Tourism: The Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation is preparing hospitality workers for AI, while UNDP’s Jamaica representative says the technology’s potential to boost productivity remains underused. Clean Energy: Jamaica expects to launch a tender before year-end for up to 300MW of renewable power and 150MW of battery storage. Research in Schools: UTech is seeking to bring its research-based video game on recognising grooming and sexual abuse into schools, following a positive trial with Jamaican students.

Renewable Energy: Jamaica expects to issue its tender for up to 300MW of renewable power and 150MW of battery storage in the fourth quarter, later than planned. Climate-Smart Agriculture: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is calling for technology to boost productivity, including CASE’s 3D-printed aquaponics systems, which could be scaled across the region. Digital Resilience: CaribNOG’s meeting in Curaçao will focus on strengthening the internet infrastructure behind essential services; Jamaican officials are also taking part in regional cybercrime training as the country reports 5.4 million attempted cyberattacks in the first quarter. Science Careers: Minister Andrew Wheatley says Jamaica needs more research funding, facilities and career opportunities to keep trained scientists at home. Cleaner Industry: Caribbean Cement reports a 16% cut in water withdrawals, crediting efficiency gains from its plant-modernisation project.

Digital Security in the Caribbean: Belize and Colombia are teaming up with regional partners, including Jamaica, to train agencies to prevent, investigate, and respond to cybercrime across borders, with a focus on threats like ransomware and the role of AI and cryptocurrency. Disaster-Ready Infrastructure: Jamaica’s NaRRA says it will start operations Nov. 1 at the Digicel Building in Kingston under a five-year lease valued at about US$726,000 a year, while the PNP questions the cost and argues other government buildings could have been used. Education Tech for Safety: A UTech-led project is pushing a research-driven video game, “Gabby,” into Jamaica’s schools to help students recognize grooming and sexual abuse, built from survivor interviews and a survey of more than 7,000 children. AI in Tourism (No Fear Message): Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett tells students to embrace AI as a tool to improve their position in tourism, not something that should scare workers away. Digital Skills for Seniors: Jamaica’s NCSC/HEART/NSTA Trust programme graduated 91 seniors from an ICT digital literacy course, encouraging lifelong learning. Internet Resilience Meeting: CaribNOG 32 heads to Curaçao (Oct 7–9) to focus on strengthening Caribbean digital infrastructure, including submarine cables, data centres, and power systems. Science Talent Retention: Minister Andrew Wheatley says Jamaica must create opportunities and facilities to keep trained scientists from leaving the country. Local Tech Impact: Digicel Foundation reports expanding smart labs and its Safer Internet Together programme, reaching tens of thousands of students. Global Science Spotlight: Nobel Physics and Medicine news highlights major advances in neutrino research and optogenetics, underscoring how “big science” continues to shape future health and technology.