Introduction to Zindi and GovTech Barbados Partnership

Above: Barbados GovTech Director Mark Boyce, Zindi founder Celina Lee and Barbados’ Minister Innovation, Industry Science and Technology Jonathan Reid. Photo courtesy Zindi.

Zindi, a global AI community platform established to make data science and artificial intelligence (AI) skills accessible to all, announced a year-long partnership with GovTech Barbados In March. This groundbreaking collaboration aims to establish and grow a vibrant AI ecosystem in Barbados, focused on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and unlocking new job opportunities in the AI sector for Barbadians.

Initiative Overview

The initiative will include a series of AI challenges, community-building activities, and educational events, designed to equip Barbadians with world-class AI skills and knowledge. Additionally, the programme will focus on creating pathways for employment in the rapidly growing fields of data science and artificial intelligence.

The project will launch with a local AI hackathon on Saturday, 26 April at the University of the West Indies, bringing together government officials, academic leaders, industry experts, and aspiring AI practitioners for a day of networking, hands-on learning, and professional development.

Importance of the Partnership

Minister Jonathan Reid, Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology, the line Ministry for GovTech, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Artificial intelligence is transforming economies worldwide, and Barbados must be at the forefront of this revolution. Our partnership with Zindi is a strategic step toward equipping our young people with the skills and opportunities needed to drive innovation and economic growth in Barbados. By fostering a strong AI ecosystem, we are not only preparing Barbadians for the jobs of the future but also positioning our nation as a leader in technology across the Caribbean and worldwide.”

Mark Boyce, CEO of GovTech Barbados, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership: “To benefit from the AI revolution, Barbadians will need the skills to compete globally. Our partnership with Zindi represents a big step towards building a sustainable AI ecosystem in Barbados that will create opportunities for our people and help position us as a regional leader in technology.”

Celina Lee, CEO of Zindi, echoed this sentiment: “We are thrilled to partner with GovTech Barbados and the Ministry to expand the reach and impact of AI across the Caribbean. Barbados has some amazing young talent and immense potential. Through this partnership, we aim to empower young people in the country with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in the global digital economy.”

Conclusion

This collaboration highlights a shared vision to make Barbados a hub for AI talent and innovation, fostering the next generation of data scientists and AI leaders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the Zindi and GovTech Barbados partnership?
A: The partnership aims to establish and grow a vibrant AI ecosystem in Barbados, focused on nurturing talent, fostering innovation, and unlocking new job opportunities in the AI sector for Barbadians.

Q: What initiatives will be included in the partnership?
A: The initiative will include a series of AI challenges, community-building activities, and educational events, designed to equip Barbadians with world-class AI skills and knowledge.

Q: How will the partnership benefit Barbadians?
A: The partnership will create opportunities for Barbadians to develop skills and knowledge in AI, preparing them for jobs of the future and positioning the nation as a leader in technology across the Caribbean and worldwide.