GUYANA – While embracing the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technological innovations into the education system across the Caribbean region, President Irfaan Ali on Wednesday said that such a move should be done responsibly and ethically while ensuring learners remain critical thinkers capable of navigating a future full of complexity and change.

The Guyanese Head-of-State made the announcement as he delivered the keynote address at Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC®) 4th Ministerial Summit that was held in Trinidad and Tobago last Wednesday. This year the summit is being held under the theme ‘Artificial Intelligence and Technological Innovations in Shaping Caribbean Education’.

Appearing virtually, the President said AI, like every other technological advancement before it, presents both challenges and opportunities. He noted that as a Caribbean region: “Our task is to harness the potential of AI while addressing its risk.”

The President said when not only the Caribbean but the wider world was facing the COVID-19 pandemic it provided a crash course in the potential and pitfalls of online learning, noting that it forced everyone to adapt quickly. “For many, this was an uncomfortable transition. We shifted from traditional classroom settings to online platforms attempting to ensure no child was left without opportunity to learn during those challenging months and years,” he said.

He noted that in Guyana for instance, this experience was mixed which saw many teachers struggling to adapt to the digital modes of instruction as students faced hurdles in adapting to new methods of content delivery. “And then it became evident that much more needs to be done to prepare our education systems for a future where digital platform play a central role in the pedagogical methods,” the President shared.

According to the President, the pace of this transformation is accelerating and that the time between each of these technological ages is contracting and moving rapidly. “This means that progress is not waiting on anyone, and it is certainly not waiting on the Caribbean. We must adapt and prepare our education system to embrace this future.” he stated. While embracing the use of his technology, he said too that they must also confront the specific challenges that AI presents for the education in the Caribbean. (Kaieteur News)

Photo: President Irfaan Ali. (Kaieteur News) …[+]