CHAIRMAN of the GraceKennedy Foundation Education Committee, Dr Carol Hordatt Gentles is cautioning students against using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to cheat or compromise their integrity.

Speaking at Wednesday’s 2023 Carlton Alexander Memorial Bursary Awards Ceremony at the GraceKennedy headquarters on Harbour Street, Kingston, Dr Hordatt Gentles — who holds a PhD in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from Ontario Institute for Studies in Education of the University of Toronto, Canada — urged the students to instead leverage AI to enhance learning and broaden their horizons, with a sense of responsibility and honesty.

She noted that for over 40 years the foundation has impacted hundreds of thousands of lives through various educational initiatives, and one of the pillars of the GraceKennedy Foundation’s mission is belief in the life-changing power of education. She added that through these initiatives the foundation is not only investing in the students’ academic pursuits, but also in their personal growth, leadership potential, and capacity to make meaningful contributions to the society.

“Some of you are heading to new and unfamiliar settings, like high school, sixth form, or tertiary institutions. I encourage you to enjoy this new phase of your life and make the most of it. Remember that this achievement is a testament to your hard work, determination, and pursuit of excellence. Take your education seriously as it will allow you to build on a solid foundation so that, in the future, you can be part of the change that Jamaica so greatly needs,” she told the audience.

“As you continue your academic pursuits, continue to embrace the values that have brought you this far — integrity, resilience, and a thirst for knowledge. Let these virtues guide you in every step you take, both within the classroom and beyond. As we navigate an ever-evolving world it is critical to embrace the opportunities that technology, including AI, brings to our lives.

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to reshape industries, accelerate progress, and solve complex challenges. However, we must always remember that while AI can assist us in being smart, it should ever be used as a tool to cheat or compromise our integrity. Let us leverage AI to enhance our learning and broaden our horizons, but always with a sense of responsibility and honesty,” she concluded.

Dr Hordatt Gentles acknowledged the presence of Marjorie Godfrey, who oversees the programme and “spends hours collecting reports, checking on the youth’s performance and staying in touch”.

She also congratulated Caroline Mahfood, chief executive officer (CEO) of Carlton Alexander Bursary which presents the awards annually to the children of members of staff from GraceKennedy and its affiliates, including: GK Money Services; Key Insurance; First Global Bank; Grace Foods and Services; GK Insurance; Allied Insurance; Dairy Industries; and GK Foods Domestic.

GraceKennedy’s Chief Financial Officer Andrew Messado, who filled in for the Group’s CEO Senator Don Wehby who was unable to attend the ceremony, paid tribute to the Carlton Alexander family, noting that the legacy the late founder had left behind was “truly noteworthy”.

He recalled Alexander as a “visionary, a mentor, and a true champion of education” who moved through the ranks of GraceKennedy “from a humble entry-level position to becoming a true leader, and [who] serve[s] as an inspiration to us all”.

Messado also paid tribute to Khalil Walker, a beneficiary of the bursary who is currently studying molecular biophysics and biochemistry at Yale University in the United States, ending the year with a 3.97 GPA, on a GK bursary.

He said that equally deserving were all the parents, “who have nurtured and supported these young minds on their academic journey”. Some 21 awardees, children of staffers, received bursaries for educational performance at the secondary and tertiary levels.

Guest speaker was Ashilane Nelson, a former bursary recipient, GK Merit scholar, and master’s student. The vote of thanks was moved by Gabrielle Findlay, a final-year student at The University of the West Indies, Mona; and a report on the bursary selection was read by Mahfood of the GraceKennedy Foundation.