The Tribune

BY FAY SIMMONS

TRIBUNE Business Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

DATA Protection Commissioner Michael Wright said The Bahamas should not approach artificial intelligence with fear over job displacement but instead focus on identifying and developing the skills needed to capture new opportunities in AI, cybersecurity and data protection.

Speaking at a Rotary Club West meeting yesterday, Mr Wright said the country is already operating in an environment where artificial intelligence and machine learning are becoming embedded in everyday life, while the Government is also assessing the country's capacity to participate in the emerging digital economy.

“We must not adopt a position of fear due to some job displacements,” said Mr Wright.

“On the optimistic side, there are gains in efficiency, health and problem-solving on both a regional and global scale.”

He said a key priority now was determining what skills already exist in The Bahamas and where further training and certification are required.

“What we're trying to do right now is better understand what we have as far as capacity within the country, as for those who may very well have the various certifications,” said Mr Wright.

He pointed to the existing education base at the University of The Bahamas and Bahamians returning home from overseas, while highlighting growing interest in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

“We know we have a strong education foundation with students here at UB. We know those who are returning home from abroad. We know that the area of cybersecurity is of interest to many. We know the area of AI, artificial intelligence, is very, very much of interest,” he said.

Mr Wright said the country's skills assessment needs to consider both academic qualifications and practical experience.

“Some of them may not have the experience, but they have the education. Some have the education, but some have the experience and don't have those certifications,” he said.

He said identifying those gaps would help determine how The Bahamas should position itself as an emerging digital economy.

The commissioner also pointed to potential opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs in areas including data storage, privacy impact assessments and data governance.

Those opportunities come as the Government works on legislation specifically addressing artificial intelligence.

Mr Wright confirmed that drafting is underway on AI legislation, although he did not provide details on its proposed provisions.

He said the country's AI development is being considered alongside cybersecurity and the broader digital ecosystem, with the Government having appointed an AI ambassador to assess the country's existing capacity and supporting competencies.

“There are many individuals locally who are in that space,” Mr Wright said, adding that the country needs to better understand “what we do have here” as it determines how to move forward.

He said the assessment should help identify people who may have relevant education but lack experience, as well as those with practical experience who may need formal certification.

Mr Wright also stressed that the development of AI brings significant data protection responsibilities, given the amount of personal information that can be processed by AI systems.

He identified privacy risks, unauthorised data collection, unclear responsibility for harmful or inaccurate outcomes, misinformation, over-reliance on AI and a lack of transparency in AI-driven decision-making among the ethical concerns that must be addressed.

The Data Protection Commissioner said the country therefore needs to pursue technological advancement while ensuring strong safeguards for personal information.

He said AI legislation, cybersecurity and the development of the wider digital ecosystem would all be important components of that process.