Jamaica discussing national AI policy

The main function of the Task Force, which was established last year, is to conduct AI research and provide an evidence-based foundation for the development of a National AI Policy.

Senator Morris Dixon indicated that she received a copy of the report last week, adding that “I have gone through [it] and we will be taking it to Cabinet”.

She said details of the document will be shared following the Cabinet submission, hinting at the prospect of doing so during a media briefing and inviting the Task Force’s Chair, “to talk about what the report says and how they see us actually navigating this [AI] space”.

The Minister was speaking during Wednesday’s (September 18) post-Cabinet press briefing at the corporate office of business process outsourcing firm iTel, in St. Andrew.

Meanwhile, Senator Morris Dixon has welcomed the completion and submission of the Task Force’s report.

“I’m happy that they have done it. They were only one month late [in doing so], and they did have [a reason]… but I’m very happy that they have submitted it,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon advised that the Task Force has examined the role of AI in several sectors, including education.

“We truly believe that our children have to be a part of the world, where it is going, and AI is a big part of that. So [the] Task Force has looked at our education system, [in terms of] what needs to change there,” she pointed out.

Senator Morris Dixon also informed that the Task Force has examined AI, “in terms of our businesses [and] how we can harness AI better and also in terms of government policy”.

“[Additionally], how do we mitigate… the negatives that come with AI, and even looking at the ethics around AI and how Jamaica navigates [it] in the international space that is currently developing legislation around it,” she said.

The Task Force is also expected to identify opportunities for the adoption of AI technologies, potential areas of economic growth and development and potential social impacts.