Government has served noticed that Jamaica must prepare for the changes artificial intelligence (AI) will bring to the nation rather than attempt to resist its growth.
Responding to concerns raised in a recent Jamaica Observer commentary on AI’s impact on labour, the Government said some jobs will be disrupted, and some roles will change, but new opportunities can emerge if Jamaica invests in education, workforce training, and digital infrastructure.
The Government pointed to projections from the World Economic Forum indicating that AI and related technologies could create about 170 million jobs globally while displacing approximately 92 million by 2030. It also referenced research from the International Monetary Fund, which warned that countries with weaker digital infrastructure and limited workforce skills could struggle to benefit from AI-driven productivity gains.
As part of its preparation strategy, the Government said it has reconvened Jamaica’s National AI Task Force to develop recommendations for the responsible use and regulation of artificial intelligence. The body is expected to help shape policies addressing the economic, ethical and legal challenges associated with the technology.
The Government has also identified education as a key part of Jamaica’s AI transition. On March 18, Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness announced plans to introduce artificial intelligence tools in schools as part of efforts to modernise the education system and prepare students for a changing job market.
The initiative includes plans for AI-powered learning support that can assist students and teachers, while ensuring young Jamaicans develop the digital skills needed to participate in an increasingly technology-driven economy. Education Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon has said AI will be used as a tool to support teaching and learning rather than replace educators.
Beyond schools, the Government has outlined plans to expand AI literacy, modernise school curricula, strengthen training through HEART/NSTA Trust, and support industries such as the business process outsourcing sector as they transition towards higher-value roles. Workers are expected to increasingly focus on supervising, evaluating, and improving AI systems rather than competing directly with them.
The challenges highlighted in Jamaica reflect concerns being raised internationally. Beyond implementation costs, experts continue to warn about AI-generated misinformation, algorithmic bias, cybersecurity risks, data privacy concerns, and ongoing copyright disputes surrounding the use of creative works to train AI models.