In this podcast episode, we are venturing into an area of technology many of us have not heard of before, but one that could have profound implications for agriculture, environmental sustainability, manufacturing, and even food security across our region. We are talking about plasma engineering, and what happens when it is combined with the power of AI.

Engineer and Principal Investigator of Lightning, a research cluster at the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre, Dr Yohan Seepersad joins us to discuss the pioneering work being done to develop affordable and practical plasma-based engineering solutions specifically designed for the needs of developing economies. We cover, among other things:

* how plasma technology can improve areas such as crop production, wastewater treatment, and healthcare;

* how AI fits into the work on plasma systems;

* what it would take to commercialise the plasma-based solutions the Lightning cluster develops; and

* which Caribbean challenge Yohan would most want his research to solve.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

We were promised that digital tools would shrink work weeks and boost efficiency—so why do our days feel busier and longer and our organisation's overheads higher?

We are joined, once again, by longtime friend of the Podcast, IT Specialist, Researcher and Digital Analyst Matthew Cowen to try to cut through the tech hype. In this conversation, we discuss:

* the efficacy and usefulness of LLMs;

* the link between technology, productivity and business, and whether technology has truly increased productivity;

* the growing pushback against all things digital and the rise of the desire for physical things; and

* whether data centres are the Achilles' heel of tech.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

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.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

AI is reshaping economies, industries and societies. However, the pivotal question the Caribbean region must answer is whether we are truly prepared to harness AI's potential while managing the challenges it brings.

In this podcast episode, we are joined by Rodney Taylor, Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, and Dr Craig Ramlal, Executive Director of the AI Innovation Centre, to discuss the 1st Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum and what AI readiness means for the region. Some of the topics covered include:

* the biggest barriers preventing wider AI adoption across the Caribbean;

* how the region can avoid increasing digital inequalities as AI adoption accelerates; and

* what investments are most urgently needed to support the Caribbean's AI transition.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

Are chatbots still relevant in the age of generative AI? From AI governance and implementation challenges to practical opportunities for businesses and governments, these are some of the critical considerations business leaders and policymakers should be having to try to determine how to move beyond the current AI hype.

We are joined once again by software development professional and longtime friend of the Podcast, Kern Elliott, who shares his insights on, among other things:

* how AI has evolved,

* why automation still matters, and

* what Caribbean organisations need to consider before investing in AI solutions.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

Technology alone will not transform the Caribbean region, and neither is it a silver bullet. What Caribbean countries must do is to think more strategically about their digital transformation: key inputs and strategies ought to be deployed, whilst also being intentional and managing the impact on society.

With Dr Karen Abrams, the Co-Founder of STEMGuyana and newspaper columnist, we discuss, among other things,

* why STEM should be among the national developmental priorities;

* reforms she would recommend to Caribbean policymakers to better prepare children for the jobs of the future;

* how Caribbean parents can better prepare their children for an AI-enabled future; and

* why economic growth alone does not necessarily create competition or innovation.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

Jamaica's push toward a robust digital economy is not happening by chance. It is being driven by decades of strategic advocacy. Many know the Jamaica Technology and Digital Alliance (JTDA) for flagship initiatives such as the annual BizTech Conference, but its roots run much deeper.

Raquel Seville, the current President of the JTDA, joins us for a conversation on the organisation, including:

* What it means to "Empower Locally, Lead Globally";

* The biggest hurdle local founders face when trying to scale their products for international markets;

* The JTDA's role in shaping the AI policies that are being developed locally and regionally; and

* What she would like to achieve before she demits the role of President.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

In our June 2026 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Innovation Strategist and Creative Economy Advocate, Bianca Welds, who is based in Jamaica, and Halle Johnson, a Systems Administrator and PhD candidate based in Antigua and Barbuda, the panel discusses:

* Is AI reducing the job market for Caribbean school leavers?

* Online banking in the Caribbean, why does it still have so many obstacles?

* And the return of the Luddite classroom.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

Around the world, tech export associations have helped software firms access new markets, influence policy, share knowledge, and compete globally. We are joined by Clark Russel and Franco Diaz, from the Curaçao Tech Export Association, also known as SIMIA, to discuss the journey and impact to date. Some of the areas our conversation covered include:

* what inspired the founding of SIMIA in 2020;

* how to foster collaboration among competing software companies;

* how SIMIA's work has contributed to growing Curaçao's net export GDP; and

* the top 3 lessons from Curaçao's tech export journey that other Caribbean countries could adopt.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------

In the second instalment of our Expert Insights series on cyber threats and security for 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling of the Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) Division in the Office of the Prime Minister in Jamaica, joins us once again.

During this conversation, the Colonel shares his thoughts on, among other things:

* the changes in the Jamaican threat landscape that have occurred since our last conversation in 2025;

* how the CIRT Division is integrating cyber incident response with natural disaster response planning;

* the five-year project that is being implemented to strengthen Jamaica's cybersecurity capacity;

* whether the cybersecurity gap is wider in government agencies or private sector organisations; and

* three things organisations should be doing in 2026 to improve their network/IT security.

The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the ICT Pulse Podcast Page (www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/)

Enjoyed the episode? Do rate the show and leave us a review!

Also, connect with us on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ICTPulse/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/ictpulse/

Twitter – https://twitter.com/ICTPulse

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/3745954/admin/

Join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/qnUtj

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

Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

---------------