Barbados seeks greater say in global AI debate

Barbados is positioning itself to help shape global artificial intelligence policy, but a leading technology consultant has suggested that small island states could be little more than consumers of a technology whose infrastructure and development they do not control.

Consultant Steven Williams appeared to set a low bar of expectations for Barbados hosting the second in-person meeting of the United Nations’ Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence next month.

While the government views the meeting as an opportunity to influence one of the world’s most pressing technological debates, Williams said the region must first confront its limited role in developing the technology.