Caribbean media encouraged to lead on AI development

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Caribbean media organisations have been urged to play a leading role in shaping the region’s emerging artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, rather than merely consuming technologies and standards developed elsewhere. The call was made by Guyana’s Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Information and Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, during the keynote presentation at a session of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) 57th Annual General Assembly (AGA), held on August 19 at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, Guyana. He noted that AI is rapidly transforming the media industry, reshaping areas, including research, translation, archiving, audience engagement, content production and distribution.

McCoy cautioned that the rise of synthetic media is making it increasingly challenging for citizens to distinguish authentic information from fabricated content, noting that artificial voices, images, videos and headlines can influence public opinion before the truth has an opportunity to catch up. The minister encouraged stakeholders to begin to direct “this new global information order”, questioning whether the region should simply accept an AI-driven communications design created elsewhere or, alternatively, cultivate the confidence, investment, regulatory foresight and political will needed to help shape it. McCoy noted that the Caribbean’s posture towards AI must go beyond technology and should address issues of sovereignty, data ownership, algorithmic control, platform accountability, and the economic value of Caribbean content.

He emphasised that the ability to tell the Caribbean story remains fundamental, noting that communication plays a critical role in shaping national consciousness, informing public policy and building public trust. McCoy also highlighted the opportunities created by the democratisation of information, noting that citizens with smartphones in Georgetown, Kingston, Bridgetown and other Caribbean communities can now communicate with global audiences almost instantly. However, he cautioned that the same technologies can be exploited by malicious actors to create fake photographs, impersonate ministers and journalists, and disseminate fabricated headlines using the branding of reputable media organisations.

Against this backdrop, the minister said media lite…