AGP Executive Report

Cybersecurity: JETS says a cyberattack exposed some customer names and card numbers in historical files, but its MultiLink and ACH payment networks remained operational; PINs and security codes were not stored. Wildlife Research: Jamaican and international scientists are using electronic tags and acoustic monitors to track bats, building knowledge to support conservation of the island’s 21 species. Local Tech Start-up: Delivery app Rushkart is targeting customers with lower fees, live order tracking and direct contact with drivers and merchants as it looks to expand beyond Kingston. STEM Education: Alpha Primary School has opened a new lab, backed by Digicel Foundation and National Baking Company Foundation, to give students hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and maths learning.

Cybersecurity: A breach at JETS may have exposed customer names and historical debit-card numbers, though MultiLink and ACH payment networks remained operational. The Opposition is again urging passage of a Cybersecurity Act. Wildlife Research: Jamaican and international scientists are using electronic tags, acoustic monitoring and cave surveys to track the island’s 21 bat species and support conservation. STEM Education: Alpha Primary School has opened a new STEM lab to build students’ practical science and technology skills. Aviation Careers: Aviation Expo returns to Tinson Pen on November 7, with drone displays, flight simulators, hands-on STEM activities and information on scholarships and careers.

STEM Education: Alpha Primary School has opened a new STEM lab, backed by the Digicel Foundation and National Baking Company Foundation, to build students’ science and technology skills. Cybersecurity: A breach at JETS may have exposed customer names and historical debit card numbers, though MultiLink and ACH payment networks remained operational. Opposition spokesperson Christopher Brown renewed calls for Jamaica to pass its proposed Cybersecurity Act. Innovation and Skills: A new GEM report points to low levels of technological innovation in Jamaica, while manufacturers cite limited research and development. Aviation Technology: The free Aviation Expo returns to Tinson Pen on November 7, with drone displays, flight simulators, STEM activities and career information for young Jamaicans.

Cybersecurity: JETS says hackers accessed part of its administrative systems, potentially exposing customer names and historical debit card numbers. MultiLink and ACH payments were not affected, but opposition voices renewed calls to pass the proposed Cybersecurity Act. Renewable Energy: Wigton says delays finalising a power-purchase agreement with JPS are blocking financing for more than 70 megawatts of planned solar generation. Agricultural Technology: The Government is exploring new irrigation solutions to boost food security, while Agriculture Minister Floyd Green is championing technology-driven farming to address climate challenges. Innovation: A new report points to low technological innovation in Jamaica, with manufacturers also citing limited research and development as a barrier to growth.

Cybersecurity: The JETS breach has renewed calls for stronger protections and enforceable laws. The payment network operator says hackers targeted part of its administrative systems, while MultiLink and ACH networks were not compromised; customer information may have been exposed. Music Technology: A US$10,000 donation from Reggae Sumfest CEO Joe Bogdanovich will fund professional audio training for nine young people at Trench Town’s JaMIN Studio, including certification in Avid’s Pro Tools. Clean Energy: Wigton Energy says delays finalising a power-purchase agreement with JPS are holding up financing for more than 70 megawatts of planned solar generation. Climate-Smart Farming: Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says a US$50-million climate grant will support weather stations, pilot plots and direct aid to farmers recovering from Hurricane Melissa. Innovation: A new report points to low technological innovation in Jamaica, while manufacturers say limited research and development is holding back exports and growth.

Climate-Smart Agriculture: Jamaica plans to deploy weather stations and test new farming methods with support from a US$50-million Green Climate Fund grant. The Government is also exploring irrigation technologies to strengthen food security. MSME Innovation: Professor Don Robotham says the JBDC should work more closely with DBJ and JAMPRO to help small businesses invest in technology, research and training. Research and Development: Recent reports flag low technological innovation and limited R&D as barriers to Jamaican manufacturers and exporters. AI and Mapping: A deal involving Novacore Labs and AIBotics is set to expand AI, drone-mapping and automation operations in Jamaica. Science and Skills: The BSJ is being urged to commercialise more of its scientific work, while the Aviation Expo returns November 7 to introduce young Jamaicans to STEM careers.

Agritech: Jamaica is exploring new irrigation and water-management technologies after a delegation attended an international congress in France, with the aim of strengthening farm resilience and food security. Aviation & STEM: The Aviation Expo returns to Kingston’s Tinson Pen Aerodrome on November 7, offering hands-on exposure to aviation careers and STEM opportunities. Innovation Gap: A new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report finds technological innovation remains low across Jamaica. The manufacturers’ association says limited research and development, affordable financing and skilled workers are holding back productivity and competitiveness; the Government is also looking to commercialise scientific work by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica. Digital Investment: Jamaica is among the Caribbean countries covered by a US$340-million US funding package targeting, among other areas, digital infrastructure. AI & Automation: A Jamaican entrepreneur-led AI workforce venture and a deal expanding AI, drone, mapping and automation operations in Jamaica point to growing local activity in the field.

Innovation Gap: A new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report finds low technological innovation across Jamaica’s economy. Manufacturers say limited research funding and shortages of skilled workers are also holding back productivity and exports. AI and Automation: A deal involving Google partner Novacore Labs and AIBotics is set to expand an AI, drone and mapping platform in Jamaica, as a workforce expert warns local businesses are not keeping pace with AI adoption. Digital Infrastructure: A US$340.3-million US-Caribbean funding package includes projects in digital infrastructure, alongside energy and ports. Local Tech Capacity: The Government aims to monetise scientific work by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, while a US$350,000 grant will help Montego Bay develop a flood early-warning system.

Climate Technology: Montego Bay plans a flood early-warning system using a US$350,000 grant, aiming to better protect flood-prone communities. Science and Industry: The Government wants to commercialise scientific work and standards developed by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, creating a potential route for local research to support businesses. AI and Jobs: Jamaican entrepreneurs Burchell Gordon and Bevon King have launched MORE Workforce, a venture offering businesses AI-powered digital employees to help manage customer service and other tasks. Public Health: UTech certified 23 health professionals in contact investigation, strengthening Jamaica’s capacity to trace and follow up on communicable diseases.

AI Workforce: Jamaican entrepreneurs Burchell Gordon and Bevon King launched MORE Workforce, a venture offering businesses AI-powered digital employees, with the Caribbean among its initial target markets. Public Health: UTech Jamaica certified 23 health professionals after a nine-month contact-investigator programme to strengthen disease tracing and surveillance. Applied Science: The Government wants to commercialise research and standards developed by the Bureau of Standards Jamaica, turning scientific work into products and services for local and export markets. Robotics & Mapping: AIBotics acquired NovaCore Labs’ Jamaican assets, including service robots, drones and mapping equipment, to grow its AI mapping and automation operations. AI Readiness: PwC Jamaica says local businesses are lagging in AI adoption, citing low investment in technology and worker training.

Public Health Technology: UTech Jamaica and the Health Ministry have certified 23 professionals in contact investigation, building capacity to trace and monitor communicable diseases including HIV, STIs and tuberculosis. AI Readiness: PwC Jamaica’s Jossett Francis-Wint says local businesses are lagging in using AI to lift productivity, citing gaps in technology investment and worker training. Science to Market: Industry Minister Aubyn Hill wants to turn Bureau of Standards Jamaica research and applied science into products and services for local and export markets. Robotics and Mapping: AIBotics has acquired NovaCore Labs’ Jamaican operating assets, including 10 service robots, six drones and Google Street View mapping equipment, to expand AI, mapping and automation services in Jamaica and the Caribbean.

AI and Productivity: PwC Jamaica’s Jossett Francis-Wint says local businesses are lagging in using AI to boost productivity, with too little investment in both technology and worker training. AI in Education: UTech research found that all surveyed university and college students, 96% of high school students and 87% of faculty use AI for academic or professional tasks, raising calls to rethink assessment and academic integrity. Jamaican Tech Expansion: AIBotics has acquired NovaCore Labs assets, including 10 service robots, six drones and Google Street View mapping equipment, to grow its operations in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Research to Revenue: Industry Minister Aubyn Hill wants the Bureau of Standards Jamaica to turn applied science and standards work into marketable products and services for Jamaica and export markets. Smarter Port Clearance: Jamaica Customs is using scanning technology and advance cargo declarations to target inspections and speed goods through the ports.

Science Commercialisation: Industry Minister Aubyn Hill wants to turn applied research and standards work at the Bureau of Standards Jamaica into marketable products and services for Jamaica and export markets. Jamaica Tech Expansion: AIBotics has acquired NovaCore Labs’ Jamaican operating assets, including service robots, commercial drones and mapping equipment, as it builds an AI and automation platform for the Caribbean. Smarter Customs: Jamaica Customs is deploying scanning technology and advance cargo declarations to speed port clearance, focusing physical inspections on shipments that need them. AI Policy: Businesses are already developing AI tools, while Jamaica’s National AI Task Force expects public consultations on a national policy to begin within weeks.

AI & Robotics: AIBotics has acquired NovaCore Labs’ Jamaican operating assets, including service robots, commercial drones, mapping equipment and software. It plans to expand in Jamaica and the Caribbean, including institutional programmes with UWI Global Campus and UTech. Smarter Ports: Jamaica Customs is using new scanning technology and advance cargo declarations to speed clearance and reduce unnecessary physical inspections ahead of the year-end rush. AI Adoption: Jamaican and Caribbean companies are building AI tools into business operations, while the national AI task force says public consultations on a government policy are expected to begin within a month. Connectivity: Flow is expanding its underground fibre network in Jamaica to improve internet access.

Artificial Intelligence: Jamaican businesses are moving beyond chatbots to AI tools that can handle work processes, says the head of the national AI task force. Public consultations on a national AI policy are expected to begin within a month. Digital Access: At the IMF and World Bank meetings, Planning Institute of Jamaica chief Wayne Henry urged developing nations to invest in digital connectivity, as climate shocks and rising energy costs deepen challenges. Connectivity for Learning: The Universal Service Fund has handed Starlink devices to a foundation supporting homework centres, while Flow is expanding its underground fibre network in Jamaica. Cybersecurity: Calls for a connected, cyber-safe Jamaica are gaining urgency as the country pushes digital payments and broader online services.

AI Push: Jamaican companies are moving beyond chatbots to build AI tools and automated “workers,” even as the Government’s national AI policy remains in draft. Task force chair Christopher Reckord says public consultations are expected to begin within a month. Tech Expansion: AIBotics has acquired NovaCore Labs’ Jamaica-based assets, including service robots, drones and mapping equipment, as it grows its AI, automation and mapping operations across the Caribbean. Connectivity: The Universal Service Fund has handed Starlink devices to a foundation supporting homework centres, while Flow is expanding underground fibre in Kingston. Digital Safety: As Jamaica’s digital payments push advances, calls are growing for stronger cyber protections to ensure a more connected island is also a safer one.