KINGSTON, Jamaica – The Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) emphasised the importance of digital resilience, sovereignty, and strategic investment for small island states in a high-level presentation at the Pacific Islands Telecommunications Association (PITA) 30th annual general meeting, business forum, and expo, recently.

Speaking during the virtual conference, Managing Director of the SMA, Dr Maria Myers-Hamilton, delivered a keynote titled “Resilience, Digital Sovereignty & Investment Gaps in the Age of AI,” addressing global stakeholders on the evolving digital landscape and the urgent need for coordinated action among small island nations.

In her address, Dr Myers-Hamilton emphasised that the global digital environment has shifted significantly, with data, connectivity and computing power now representing critical national assets rather than simple utilities. She noted that for small island states, spectrum management and digital infrastructure are no longer just technical issues, but central to national sovereignty and economic positioning.

“Digital sovereignty is not about isolation; it is about ensuring that participation in the global digital economy happens on our terms,” she stated, highlighting the need for countries to maintain control over their data, infrastructure, and policy direction.

The presentation also outlined the structural challenges facing small island states, including high infrastructure costs, limited economies of scale, and reliance on external providers, factors that continue to widen the investment gap in digital development. As demand for connectivity and AI-driven services accelerates, these constraints make resilience and forward planning even more critical.

Drawing on Jamaica’s experience and broader Caribbean insights, Dr Myers-Hamilton highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, noting that harmonised approaches to spectrum management and licensing can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen collective bargaining power.

She also underscored key priorities for strengthening digital ecosystems, including building resilient infrastructure with redundancy and disaster preparedness, establishing strong, transparent regulatory frameworks to attract investment, expanding technical capacity to manage emerging technologies such as AI and leveraging innovation in spectrum management to improve efficiency and oversight.

The presentation further explored how artificial intelligence can enhance spectrum management through improved monitoring, predictive insights, and more efficient resource allocation, supporting faster response times and better service delivery.

Dr Myers-Hamilton also highlighted the need for responsible AI adoption, stressing that governance, data protection, and regulatory agility must remain central as technologies evolve. As global demand for digital services continues to rise, she called for a more intentional and collaborative approach to development, noting that resilience, sovereignty, and investment must be treated as interconnected priorities.

“Our size does not limit our influence; our strategy determines it,” she said, urging small island states to take a more active and unified role in shaping the future of the digital economy.

The PITA forum, a major international gathering of policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders, is focused on strengthening digital infrastructure, improving connectivity, and fostering collaboration across island economies. The event aims to address shared challenges such as infrastructure gaps, investment constraints, and the growing impact of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.