ST. MAARTEN – The Caribbean’s path to technological advancement and true digital sovereignty is being obstructed not by a deficit of devices or internet access, but by a critical shortage of bold leadership and effective strategies, according to Dr. Gale Rigobert, a prominent voice on AI and former Minister of Education in Saint Lucia. Dr. Rigobert delivered this stark assessment during a keynote address at the Foundation for Academic and Vocational Education (FAVE) Foundation’s 50th-anniversary conference, held recently in St. Maarten under the theme “Reimagining Teaching and Learning with AI and STEAM.”
The former minister, now a respected expert in AI and digital innovation, asserted that while access to technology was once the primary hurdle for the region, the landscape has shifted. Today, the Caribbean grapples with “entrenched leadership styles, weak organisational will, and the lack of comprehensive strategies” necessary to fully integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its fabric. This news comes as the region accelerates its adoption of AI, yet faces significant challenges in investment, talent development, and governance.
The Obstacle: Beyond Infrastructure to Strategy
Dr. Rigobert’s message directly challenged the notion that technological progress is solely dependent on hardware and connectivity. She argued that the region is at risk of remaining “passive consumers rather than producers of technology, and followers rather than shapers of global digital norms” if leadership fails to enact decisive change. This sentiment is echoed by analyses highlighting that AI adoption failures in the Caribbean often stem from “people problems” – resistance to change and a misunderstanding of transformation as merely a tech upgrade, rather than an evolution of people, processes, and technology working in concert.
Her address underscored that merely providing devices, such as laptops, is insufficient for meaningful educational or economic transformation. Instead, she advocated for a fundamental shift from isolated investments to the creation of robust, integrated “ecosystems designed to nurture innovation”. This perspective aligns with the broader findings that many national AI strategies in the Caribbean are nascent and often focus more on regulation than on fostering a productive technological ecosystem.
Building Comprehensive AI Ecosystems
To pivot from consumption to production, Dr. Rigobert outlined key components for building comprehensive AI ecosystems. Central to her vision is the imperative to revamp teacher training, equipping educators with the skills to integrate AI and digital tools effectively into their classrooms. This is crucial for preparing students for a future workplace increasingly shaped by AI.
Furthermore, she emphasized the need for reforming curricula to align with a tech-driven future, ensuring that educational outcomes prepare the next generation for emerging job markets. Inclusive access to these technological advancements was also highlighted, stressing the importance of reaching youth, women, and marginalized groups to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. This focus on inclusive development is a cornerstone of many AI policy discussions in the region, aiming to ensure AI serves humanity and preserves cultural identity while fostering economic growth.
The Imperative for Regional Cooperation and Vision
True transformation, Dr. Rigobert stressed, requires sustained effort rooted in clear policy, robust regional cooperation, and an unwavering long-term vision. The absence of cohesive national AI strategies across much of the Caribbean highlights a significant gap in this area. While some countries are developing strategies, many lack adequate funding and implementation frameworks.
The challenges extend to investment, with the region attracting a small fraction of global AI funding, and to talent, where a widening skills gap and brain drain hinder progress. Addressing these issues demands a unified approach. The FAVE conference, celebrating 50 years of educational commitment, provided a timely platform for Rigobert to issue this call to action, urging leaders to move beyond outdated thinking and embrace the opportunities AI presents to shape a more innovative and self-sufficient Caribbean future.
Dr. Rigobert’s tenure as a former minister and her current role as Dean of Academics at the University of St. Martin, along with her consulting work, position her as a key advocate for harnessing technology for development in the Global South. Her message serves as a critical piece of news for policymakers and stakeholders across the Caribbean, signaling that the time for bold, strategic leadership in AI is now.