Senator Chad Blackman, Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment,.
Barbados is embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a key driver of economic growth and a tool to address critical challenges facing the country, according to Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Senator Chad Blackman.
Speaking at the “Fintech at the Intersection of AI and Humanity” event at the Wyndham Grand Residences Sam Lawrence Castle Hotel yesterday, Senator Blackman emphasised the government’s significant investments in AI technology as it strives to build a knowledge-based economy.
“The government of Barbados has been working assiduously to ensure that as we build up the economy and it continues to grow, artificial intelligence and other new technologies are at the center of what we’re doing,” stated Senator Blackmon. “We have a Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology dedicated to these areas. Our focus now is on building a knowledge-based economy, and artificial intelligence will serve as a crucial catalyst for this.”
Senator Blackmon further highlighted the potential of AI to address major challenges facing Barbados and the region, such as non-communicable diseases and the sustainable utilization of marine resources.
“We must now see AI as the bedrock that can help us unlock not just growth but also effectively address the major challenges of our generation,” he said. “This includes leveraging AI to combat non-communicable diseases, which are prevalent in our region, and to maximize our marine space and tap into the opportunities that exist within our ocean.”
This move towards AI aligns with Barbados’s vision of a diversified and innovative economy, leveraging technology to enhance productivity, improve public services, and create new opportunities for its citizens.