ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) is no longer a distant dream, it is reshaping the world around us – and Jamaica stands at the threshold of unprecedented opportunities. As seen in Google Cloud’s groundbreaking advancements at Next ‘25, ordinary Jamaicans, from Montego Bay to Morant Bay, can benefit from AI in ways that make life easier, safer, and more productive.

Major organisations, like Agoda, Wendy’s, and Mercedes-Benz have already embraced AI to enhance customer service, create marketing content, and streamline operations. The question is no longer whether AI can help Jamaica, but how quickly we will act to make it ours.

Real world examples showing AI’s power

•Agoda uses AI-generated images and videos (via Imagen and Veo) to boost tourism engagement.

•The Home Depot created an AI-powered assistant called Magic Apron to help customers find products and get DIY advice.

•Wendy’s has integrated AI agents into drive-through operations to speed up service and improve order accuracy.

•Kraft Heinz dramatically accelerated their marketing with AI-generated campaigns using Google’s creative media models.

•DBS Bank reduced customer service call times by deploying AI-powered agents.

Each case shows that ordinary industries — hospitality, retail, food, marketing, banking — can transform everyday tasks using accessible AI tools – from Google’s Vertex AI, Imagen 3, Gemini models, and more.

How can Jamaicans apply AI at the local level?

Jamaica has unique needs, and powerful opportunities to use AI to solve real problems, building on insights from AI Opportunities for Jamaica (IDB Report, 2023) and other sources.

1) Tourism sector:

•Opportunity: Just like Agoda, Jamaican tourism boards and hotels could use Imagen and Veo to generate realistic videos and images of beaches, festivals, and resorts to attract more visitors online.

•Local adaptation: Small hotels and guest houses could access simplified AI image-generation tools through government-led training programmes, ensuring that rural communities also benefit.

2) Agriculture and fisheries:

•Opportunity: AI agents could help farmers predict weather patterns using Weather Next AI or manage crops through real-time image analysis.

•Local adaptation: Partner with universities like The University of the West Indies and The College of Agriculture, Science and Education to create AI apps tailored to yam, coffee, and banana farming.

3) Health care:

•Opportunity: Use Vertex AI Search to help clinics quickly retrieve medical records and assist in diagnosis with
Gemini AI tools.

•Local adaptation: Train nurses and health aides across Jamaica in simple AI data input and retrieval, improving rural health services.

4) Education:

•Opportunity: Integrate AI teaching assistants into classrooms, similar to Google’s Gemini-powered learning tools.

•Local adaptation: Develop low-cost AI apps in collaboration with e-Learning Jamaica to deliver customised tutoring for Primary Exit Profile and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate subjects.

5) Small business and entrepreneurship:

•Opportunity: Enable SMEs to use AI agents to write business plans, create marketing content, and manage finances automatically.

•Local adaptation: Launch a “Startup AI Boost” programme through HEART/NSTA Trust offering free access to Vertex AI training and Google Workspace AI features.

6) Security and justice:

•Opportunity: Use AI for faster case file retrieval, predictive policing (in a controlled, rights-respecting manner), and forensic video analysis.

•Local adaptation: Equip Jamaica Constabulary Force units with AI-powered investigative tools, emphasising transparency.

7) Creative industries:

•Opportunity: Leverage AI models like Lyria (text-to-music) and Imagen 3 (image generation) to empower musicians, designers, and film-makers.

•Local adaptation: Create a creative AI lab through partnerships between Jampro and private tech hubs to help artists scale globally.

Why now?

Jamaica’s Government already launched a National AI Roadmap (IDB, 2023), setting the stage for AI in education, health, and finance. The missing piece is getting ordinary Jamaicans involved — teaching citizens how to use, not just consume, AI.

By tapping into Google Cloud’s real world solutions and tailoring them to local challenges Jamaica can leapfrog traditional barriers, boost GDP growth, cut inefficiencies, and empower people at every level — from farmer to software engineer, teacher to tourist operator.

In the words of the Jamaican proverb: “Nuh wait till drum beat before yuh grine yuh axe.” Translation: Don’t wait for the crisis — prepare now.

Horatio Morgan is an accomplished AI solutions architect in the business transformation area. Connect with him at horatiomorgan37@gmail.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/horatiomorgan/

Horatio Morgan