As the world moves towards closer integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into businesses, government agencies and individual lifestyles, a panel convened by the University of the West Indies, Five Islands Campus (UWIFIC) expressed a unified belief that Caribbean nations must establish robust frameworks to protect citizens’ information.
Held virtually as part of the UWIFIC’s Public Advocacy Series, government officials and technology specialists highlighted growing concerns about foreign tech giants harvesting Caribbean data and the need for specific AI legislation.
Andrea Jacobs, Antigua and Barbuda’s AI legal counsel, emphasized the need for comprehensive data protection laws as the region increasingly digitizes government services.
“We need to develop comprehensive data protection laws. That is the bedrock of how we could utilize AI for a fairer world, for a more transparent world, for accountability,” Jacobs said.
She also warned about AI technology’s potential risks to residents, particularly in how foreign companies could exploit Caribbean data.
“We now have an opportunity to not just give them more data,” said Jacobs, the first AI legal counsel appointed in the Eastern Caribbean. “The government can come up with some type of strategy because data is king, and they need data to make these models work.”
Meanwhile, Jacobs noted that while the 2021 Telecommunications Act provided some data protection foundations, it lacked specific provisions for AI governance, data ownership, and localization requirements that would protect citizens’ information from exploitation.
She warned about the significant risks associated with cloud-based systems storing government information, noting that cybersecurity vulnerabilities could expose sensitive data if proper protection measures are not implemented.
“If the information is stored in the cloud and anyone can search it, it means then that once Antigua and Barbuda, once the Caribbean digitizes the public sector, this information will be in the cloud. Who will have access to it if there’s some security breach?” Jacobs questioned.
“Data right now is king. It is very important that we have modalities in place for how your data is used, who uses your data and what they do with…code generated data,” she remarked.
One of the most pressing concerns raised by Jacobs was algorithmic bias and discrimination embedded in AI systems.
She highlighted how facial recognition technologies often misidentify people of Caribbean and African descent.
“Facial recognition is very serious. Right now, we have facial recognition systems that can miss my face. They could tell me I’m someone else or tell someone else that it’s me,” she explained, illustrating the serious real-world implications of biased AI systems.
She also spoke about how Europe and America have created provisions that protect artists from AI, noting how copyright laws do not protect fully artificial intelligence-curated content.
“So, will we get to that point to the Caribbean? My answer is more than likely yes, AI cannot create music, according to how they define lyrics, words, notes,” she remarked.
Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister EP Chet Greene stated that Antigua and Barbuda’s appointment of an AI legal counsel signalled the government’s intention to position the country as a leader in emerging technologies.
“There’s no denying that AI is here … is transformative and if we’re going to lead a modern economy in this era, we certainly have to be a part of this movement,” Greene said.
The minister also advocated for strategic investments in AI startups, including international partnerships for knowledge transfer, and establishing innovation hubs in major Caribbean cities to ensure the region was not left behind in technological advancement.
“Already we are trailing. We have significant work to do if we are to catch up, level with, and be equal participants in this global development,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Director of International Trade within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Joy Marie King, highlighted opportunities for AI to support trade facilitation and achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“AI can assist in the automation and streamlining of Customs processes, trade facilitation, reducing delays, and enhancing efficiency of trade at the borders,” King said. “Under the economic diversification pillar, boosting of the digital economy is one of the key attributes of Artificial Intelligence.”
King also stressed the importance of including technology transfer clauses in international agreements. “We need to remain engaged as a people, as a region, particularly at the multilateral level, including organisations such as the World Trade Organisation,” she advised.
Tianze Zhang, Founder for the AI for Developing Countries Forum (AIFOD), shared insights from his country’s approach to AI development, suggesting that small islands should focus on niche applications rather than seeking to compete with large language models.
On the role of government, Zhang highlighted that while private companies led most innovations, the Chinese government has provided clear direction and rapidly adopted AI technologies in public services.
“The role of government of Chinese government in terms of promoting the AI or adopting AI is in my perspective amazingly fast and amazingly unprecedented,” Zhang said, noting that government agencies quickly implemented AI systems after the recent Lunar New Year.
He suggested that Caribbean nations could enhance their negotiating power through regional alliances, citing examples like the Asian digital data governance framework that provides member states with a collective approach to manage cross-border data.
“One thing that Antigua and Barbuda could do is to be the hub for regional alliance collaborations,” Zhang suggested.
Dr Curtis Charles, chair of the Public Advocacy Series, announced that the discussion was part of the lead-up activities to the second Annual AI Research Conference focused on “AI for the Sustainability of the Caribbean,” scheduled for June 23-24 at UWIFIC.
