The Caribbean’s innovation ecosystems are undeniably different from those in larger economies yet remain inextricably tied to the global environment. There’s nothing inherently wrong with that, interdependence is part of the modern economy, but we’re now in an era when widening global asymmetries and renewed national sovereignty are shaping development policy and risks.

In today’s world, technological innovation and economic growth (in the neoliberal sense) are tightly interwoven. Reports have confirmed what many of us already know — technological innovation boosts productivity, which in turn drives nominal gross domestic product (GDP). Regions that invest heavily in research and development and patent development consistently experience stronger growth. This is a fact.

But here’s the hard truth, the Caribbean’s innovation systems are weak. This isn’t for lack of effort, both academics and policymakers have debated the causes for decades. The root causes are deep: geographic constraints, structural economic dependence, and the legacy of historically extractive economies. Layer onto that more recent policy missteps, institutional capacity gaps, talent loss, and persistent global shocks, and the result is clear, slow, uneven growth. In 2025, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Caribbean economies will grow by just 2 per cent of GDP.

So, yes, we urgently need technological innovation to strengthen our productive capacity and drive exponential growth. China’s case study remains compelling, but our context is fundamentally different.

Jamaica, in particular, has long operated with a low-tech economic base, limiting our growth potential. Past strategies have relied on ‘investment by invitation’ and technology transfer, later pivoting towards special economic zones and moving into logistics. Still, we are an ambitious nation, and accelerating technological investment is more critical than ever. The strategic groundwork is being laid at the macro level for high-potential investments. Having attained macroeconomic stability, our next phase must be inclusive development that is anchored in a technologically driven, inclusive economic base.

At the heart of this ambition is Jamaica’s continued push to develop public digital infrastructure, most notably through the National Identification System (NIDS). NIDS aims to become a foundational ID system that can transform how we deliver services not just within government, but in ethical, interoperable ways with the private sector, especially financial services, to make access and credit more affordable for citizens and businesses.

While the initial roll-out of NIDS faced serious human rights and legal challenges, progress has been made. We have enacted legislation to protect citizens’ data and established the Office of the Information Commissioner to safeguard ethical use. More recently, Jamaica launched its Information and Communications Technology Authority to drive digital infrastructure policy and implementation across government. There is also an open government framework which could enhance accountability. These are promising moves and clear signs that our Government is learning from past policy missteps.

Still, as the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), UN Development Programme (UNDP), and others have noted, digital technologies alone don’t guarantee broad benefits. They can improve efficiency, streamline services, promote financial inclusion, and build resilience, but without strong policy mandates and a clear public purpose, the infrastructure risks becoming obsolete or serving only a privileged few.

That’s why — as Mariana Mazzucato, David Eaves, and others argue in ‘Digital Public Infrastructure and Public Value: What is “Public” about DPI?’ — embedding “common good” principles into planning and implementation is essential. Public–private partnerships must also be conditional on upholding those principles.

I believe Jamaica’s best days are still ahead. We are on the cusp of building a transformational national innovation ecosystem, one that strengthens our productive base while safeguarding the common good. Our investment in restoring public trust, enhancing the digital capacity of our bureaucracy, and embedding legal protections for citizens will pay dividends.

But success will require more than government action. We need citizen consultation, buy-in, and private sector partnerships that go beyond economic efficiency theory to deliver genuinely affordable, high-quality services across industries. Growth must not only be measured in GDP metrics, but it must also be reflected in the lived experiences of our people.

And then there’s artificial intelligence (AI). My concern with the national discourse around AI is not about its productive potential, but the misconception that AI is the solution. It isn’t. AI is a tool, one that should increase productive capacity, not replace human agency. Jamaica recently launched its first AI lab and introduced AI-driven services such as
Constable Smart for smart policing. I think this is fantastic, but as Eaves noted at the recently held Artificial Intelligence Forum for Small Island Digital States, AI is the icing on the cake, not the cake itself. Its use must be ethical and consultative. AI’s success depends on our ability to anticipate, manage, and mitigate the challenges ahead. For me, our capacity to learn, adapt, and evolve in the public interest is critical. We shouldn’t shy away from AI; we should embrace it with eyes wide open.

This brings me to data sovereignty. As the world pivots towards more nationalistic mandates, data sovereignty has become both a security and economic issue. Caribbean nations like Jamaica are small, but collectively Caricom represents over 13 independent nations and around 44 million people. This can be viewed in two ways: as a vulnerability or a strategic opportunity. We could use Caricom as a platform to establish regional digital sovereignty while simultaneously advancing our national frameworks — urgently. Climate change remains our greatest existential threat, but digital sovereignty is quickly emerging as the next frontier.

Until then, the roadmap is clear: build a strong national ID base; ensure ethical, safe interoperability; invest in climate-smart technology; and expand digital public infrastructure that accelerates economic innovation and transformation.

Let’s go!

Kimberly O Roach is a policy and innovation expert. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or kimberlyoroach@gmail.com.

Jamaica, in particular, has long operated with a low-tech economic base, limiting our growth potential.

Artificial Intelligence is a tool, one that should increase productive capacity, not replace human agency.