There is a need for individuals to see artificial intelligence, in a positive light as a tool to strengthen industry output. This was just one of the points put forward during the 55th anniversary of Samuel Jackman Prescod Memorial Lecture. The 16th in the series, the topic was generative AI: Redefining Education and the Workplace.

Barbados is collaborating with Howard University to establish a new centre for artificial intelligence, innovation and governance. The announcement from Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Marsha Caddle. She was speaking on the sidelines of a symposium to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Eric Williams’ groundbreaking book, Capitalism and Slavery, in Washington D.C., where she delivered the keynote lecture. The event was co-hosted by Howard University and the University of Havana, Cuba. During her address, Minister Caddle said ultimately, the capitalism that drove slavery and every era of industrialisation thereafter has been about wealth extraction.

Barbados says the Afreximbank has done more for development than other institutions. Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley says it was willing to take risks and go where others are not prepared to go. She lauded Afreximbank for its support over the past few years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Mottley shared before a discussion on the Untold Story of Africa’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, how the solidarity with Afreximbank, along with the African medical supplies platform enabled countries in the Caribbean to have access to much-needed medical supplies. Ms. Mottley wants the solidarity formed with the African medical supplies platform maintained at all costs.