High-level Caribbean Policy Discussions on the agenda at The UWI Five Islands 2025 AI Conference

By Cory Wayland

[email protected]

Press Release

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Tuesday, May 6, 2025 — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) Five Islands Campus in Antigua is set to facilitate meaningful high-level policy discussions among Caribbean leaders and experts in Artificial Intelligence.

These forums are on the agenda as the campus hosts its annual 5IR Artificial Intelligence (AI) Annual Research Conference from June 23-24 2025, under the theme ‘Bridging Digital Frontiers: AI For Caribbean Sustainability.

This 2025 edition of the conference is co-chaired by Dr. Curtis Charles, Director of Academic Affairs, The UWI Five Islands; Dr. Ilenius Ildephonce, Head of the School of Science Computing and Artificial Intelligence, The UWI Five Islands; and Dr. Indrani Bachan-Persad, Unit Head, Economic Engagement & Industry Partnerships, The UWI Office of Planning.

A discussion on Sustainable Strategic Diplomacy in an Age of AI and Shifting Geopolitics will be led by Dr. Indrani Bachan-Persad, Conference Co-Chair (Moderator); The Honourable Chet Green, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Antigua and Barbuda; and Andrea Jacob, Attorney-at-Law and Head of AI and Legal Innovation at the Ministry of Legal Affairs of Antigua Barbuda. The forum will examine how Caribbean nations can build coalitions and negotiate from positions of strength in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

The Caribbean Latin American Development Bank (CAF) will also present its Roadmap for National AI Implementation, offering insights into national policies and incentives that leverage AI for economic development and social inclusion.

Targeting policy makers and stakeholders committed to building a responsible AI ecosystem in the Caribbean is a forum on AI Ethics and Governance that will examine the tension between innovation and ethical oversight in Caribbean contexts. Other policy discussions will focus on AI capacity building in education and AI applications for improved government service delivery, transparency and citizen engagement.

According to Professor Justin Robinson, the Principal of The UWI’s Five Islands Campus, it is critical for Caribbean leaders to engage in these high-level discussions: “In a time of increasing climate vulnerability, economic pressures, and rapid technological change, this conference positions the Caribbean region as an active participant in shaping global AI development while addressing Caribbean development priorities. We are creating the collaborative space needed to ensure AI serves our unique regional context, from disaster resilience and blue economy opportunities to workforce development and cultural preservation.”

Among the Antigua-Barbuda policy makers expected to engage in the discourse are Prime Minister, The Honourable Gaston Browne; Minister for Education, Sports and the Creative Arts, The Honourable Daryll Matthew; Minister of Information, Broadcasting, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, The Honourable Melford Nicholas; and Minister of Tourism, Investment, and Economic Development, The Honourable Charles Fernandez. Also contributing are Mr. Bevil Wooding, technologist and Executive Director of the Caribbean Agency for Justice Solutions, Dr. Dale Alexander, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC), and Dr. Armstrong Alexis – Deputy Secretary General – CARICOM

The annual AI research conference brings together international AI experts, policymakers and other key stakeholders to explore AI’s transformative role in the region’s sustainable development. The Caribbean’s top researchers will present cutting-edge research along several technical tracks.

These will address AI applications across key sectors, including education, healthcare, creative industries, justice, climate resilience, and financial inclusion. Leading an impressive slate of international speakers, Mr. Tianze Zhang, founder of the AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFORD), will deliver a keynote on AI for Sustainable Development. Also carded to speak are Mr. Ray Quintana, CEO of Envviron – a French wealth management company that leverages Web3 Technology; and Dr. Chris Jones, former Executive Director, Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub.

Registration is now open on the conference website, https://fiveislandsaiconference.com/. To stay informed on conference developments, connect on LinkedIn and Facebook at https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-uwi-five-islands-ai-conference; www.facebook.com/UWIFICAIConference.