BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – New research has warned that Caribbean employers and workers remain sharply divided on the skills needed for an artificial intelligence-driven economy across the region.

According to the United States-based DeVry University’s 2025 Bridging the Gap report, while 85 per cent of workers are confident about their job prospects over the next five years, nearly seven in 10 employers believe their teams lack the skills needed to succeed.

The findings, based on a survey of more than 1,500 workers and 500 hiring managers, highlight the growing urgency for practical AI training and clear usage policies.

“AI is reshaping every sector of the global workforce—including higher education,” said Scarlett Howery, DeVry’s vice president of Public Workforce Solutions. “There’s a clear disconnect between how prepared workers feel and what employers expect in an AI-driven economy.”

Based on this, Howery said DeVry is partnering with education and industry leaders in the Caribbean to expand access to online learning and establish ethical standards for AI use.

Experts say that while AI can automate routine tasks, human skills such as ethical reasoning, creativity, and sound judgment remain essential. DeVry’s research stresses that effective policies can improve productivity by setting expectations and reducing risk, rather than limiting innovation.

“Good policy doesn’t slow teams down—it sets expectations and let people focus on higher-value work,” Howery said.

The report also emphasises the need for hands-on AI training. Employers are being urged to offer structured programmes that teach both technical and “durable” skills—such as problem-solving and communication—and to create safe environments for workers to integrate AI into daily tasks.

Meanwhile, Caribbean leaders have echoed the call for action. In a recent message as the chair of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), Jamaica’s Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said the region must embrace digital transformation to strengthen public services, bolster cybersecurity, and expand opportunity.

“In a world defined by rapid technical change, Caricom must harness AI and other technologies in ways that align with our values,” Holness said. “This is about empowering our people to compete and thrive in the digital age.”