ST JAMES, Jamaica — Young people must be prepared for an increasingly artificial intelligence (AI)-driven world, says Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CEAL Green Energy Limited, Ryan Roper.

He argued that the changing technological landscape makes it very important for young people to develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.

Roper was addressing Education Officers at the Iberostar Resort in Lilliput, St James, on August 20, under the theme ‘Leading the Next Chapter of Educational Excellence: Advancing Purpose, Possibilities and Practice’.

He challenged the Education Officers to examine the skills students will need as technology continues to reshape the world.

Drawing on his experience as an engineer and business leader, he said that beyond academic qualifications, Jamaica needs people who can solve complex problems, noting that for his business he prioritises problem solvers when hiring.

“I don’t necessarily hire somebody with the most certificates or the most passes. I want to hire somebody who can solve these complex problems that we now face,” he pointed out.

Roper also pointed to the need for systems that encourage collaboration across disciplines, particularly as Jamaica and the wider Caribbean confront increasingly complex challenges.

“We’ve got to create the systems that allow people to work with each other across disciplines to solve these massive problems that we now face,” he said, highlighting the recent damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.

Roper also praised the education officers’ commitment to students and the wider education system, stressing that technology should not overshadow the importance of people.

“Educators care about people, and people are our greatest resource,” he noted.

He said that collaboration among educators, administrators and the Ministry is essential to ensuring that advances in technology translate into meaningful benefits for students.

—    JIS