ICT Pulse Podcast

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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In the third 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

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Similar to most Small Island Developing States, Jamaica faces unique challenges, including climate change, natural disasters, economic vulnerability, and resource constraints. Science and technology can play a critical role in addressing these challenges.

In this conversation with Dr the Honourable Andrew Wheatley, Jamaica's Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, we discuss the role of science, technology, and innovation in shaping the country's future, including

* what it will take for Jamaica to "build forward";

* the role AI will play in the Government and across the wider society;

* the 'House of Innovation' that is being created; and

* what the Minister would like to achieve before he demits his current tenure.

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

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In our May 2026 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Tamira La Cruz, an Economic Development Advisor and Private Sector Specialist based in Curaçao, and Natalie Maharaj, a Digital Transformation Consultant and Responsible Technology Advocate based in Trinidad and Tobago, the panel discusses:

* AI literacy in the Caribbean;

* SIDS investing in tech development; and

* privacy and consent in AI.

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

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For our 400th episode, we are joined by Development Journalist and award-winning Writer Gerard Best, who turns the tables and interviews the ICT Pulse Podcast Creator and Host, Michele Marius. During their conversation, and among other things,

* they revisit earlier milestones of the Podcast,

* discuss the current state of media and information platforms worldwide, along with

* who might be Michele's dream guest, and

* which one is better, doubles or roti?

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

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