JAMAICA Labour Party (JLP) Chairman Robert Montague has unveiled plans to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for rural development if the party is given a third term, pledging innovations in agriculture, health care, education and infrastructure to improve the lives of Jamaicans.

Speaking to party supporters at the JLP’s mass rally in Half-Way-Tree square, St Andrew, on Sunday night, Montague said the new approach would build on the Government’s track record while introducing “bold new ideas” aimed at modernising rural communities.

“We will train more farmers in the use of AI that will increase yields through the use of drones and the hydroponic system. This will lead to the use of less chemicals, fertiliser, and water but will increase productivity and therefore increase profit. We will use the AI possibilities to smooth out the supply chain and payment issues that farmers sometimes face,” he said.

He added that the technology would also be used to support fisherfolk, helping to safeguard their livelihoods and improve working conditions, while attracting more young people and single mothers into agriculture.

Montague pointed to health care as another key focus, noting that AI will play a central role in expanding digital medical records and delivering specialist care to rural areas through telemedicine.

“The Woodpark Clinic in St Mary will be the first clinic in Jamaica to use telemedicine. We will use AI to make sure all our systems are more efficient, therefore allowing us to expand the range of assistance to persons, especially those over 60 years old because it is at that age you need the most medical help but it is at that age that most private insurance cut you off,” he said.

Montague added that the Government is also looking to address “menopausal challenges of our ladies by expanding benefits under the NHF [National Health Fund]”.

He also noted that education and training would be a key part of the plan, with expanded online platforms set to deliver HEART/NSTA Trust courses on AI directly to rural communities.

“We will use AI and take HEART training to you by putting suitable courses on the online platform so you do not have to go to HEART for some courses, HEART will come to you. We in Western St Mary are about to launch such a platform [and] we intend to train more of our people, young and not so young, in the use of artificial intelligence so that they can use their phones to start a business,” the JLP chairman said.

He also noted that training would extend to areas such as trading on the stock market, designing and building apps, and tackling illiteracy.

“We will use AI to help to design programmes, especially in the gaming format, to improve driver knowledge, increase road safety and reduce road fatality. A new day is coming for our bus and taxi operators. We will work hard with HEART Trust and the ITA to train and certify more drivers,” said Montague.

Turning to infrastructure, Montague announced that the JLP aims to deliver more housing in rural areas.

“We will be building more housing solutions, houses and service lots in rural Jamaica and assisting persons with home repairs to make your houses more stronger and more hurricane resistant. As a matter of fact, for us in Western St Mary we have identified some 1,000 housing solutions,” he said.

He further pledged to improve rural roads, expand access to water through solar-powered pumps, increase electricity and Internet coverage in remote communities, and create jobs through new and existing urban centres such as Morant Bay and planned facilities in Boscobel and Port Antonio.

Montague said sports and community development would also be prioritised, with grants from the Sports Development Foundation directed towards improving facilities at both the top five and bottom five schools in the ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys’ and Girls’ Championships.

He added that public beaches would be upgraded and spaces created for craft workers, vendors, and artists to reach wider markets, alongside more training and assistance for community tourism projects.

“These are just some of the bold new ideas and the continuation of programmes that work. We have worked hard on your behalf and you have seen the results…We come to you to ask for your support because we know that we are not entitled to it. We have worked hard for you and we want to continue to work hard for you,” Montague told the crowd, promising more details when the party’s manifesto is launched.

Supporters of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party at Sunday’s mass meeting staged by the party at Half-Way-Tree square, St Andrew. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)