An expert in artificial intelligence has urged Caribbean leaders to transform the region into a global technology hub rather than merely adopting existing innovations. Speaking at the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus AI conference, Tianze Zhang, founder of the AI For Developing Countries Forum and CEO of ZAAN.com, highlighted the Caribbean’s unique potential to lead in addressing small island challenges through AI. Zhang emphasized the importance of using AI to empower communities and create opportunities, rather than replacing human workers. He pointed to the Caribbean’s strategic advantages, including political commitment to digitalization and strong digital infrastructure. Zhang also noted the $94 million World Bank Caribbean Digital Transformation Project and the planned CARICOM AI Centre of Excellence as opportunities for regional leadership. By drawing parallels with successful AI initiatives in small nations like Estonia and Singapore, Zhang envisioned a future where Caribbean-developed AI solutions tackle regional challenges and have a global impact. He called for the region to harness its existing strengths, such as its English language heritage and proximity to North American markets, to achieve global leadership in AI.
Can the Caribbean become a leader in AI for the Global South?
