AGP Executive Report

Student Data: Barbados is reminding schools to protect students’ personal information under the Education, Data Protection and Child Protection Acts. A conference equipped educators with guidance on privacy and cybersecurity. Climate Monitoring: The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology is using satellite technology to track sargassum, landslides and changes to the Earth’s surface, improving regional hazard monitoring and preparedness. Financial Technology: Barbados must keep laws in step with new technology, Labour Minister Colin Jordan said during debate on the Virtual Assets Provider Bill, citing the need to combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Cybercrime: A regional training involving Barbados brought together officials to strengthen cross-border investigations, with sessions on cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and ransomware.

Student Data: Barbados’ education minister urged schools to protect pupils’ personal information, while using it responsibly to identify learning gaps. Financial Technology: Parliament heard that laws must keep pace with virtual assets to help guard against money laundering and terrorist financing. Climate Monitoring: CIMH staff in Barbados trained to use satellite technology to track sargassum, landslides and changes to the Earth’s surface, supporting regional hazard preparedness. Cybersecurity: Barbados joined a regional exchange on cybercrime, where specialists shared approaches to threats including ransomware, cryptocurrency-related crime and AI-enabled attacks. Local Biotechnology: Research into three microbes found in decomposing sargassum could open paths to products such as biofuels and chemicals, and help build Barbados’ biotechnology sector.

Climate Services: Barbados-based CIMH has signed a partnership with Pacific agency SPREP to strengthen weather and water services and climate resilience across both regions. Student Data: Education Minister Chad Blackman reminded schools to protect students’ personal information, while using it responsibly to guide teaching. Satellite Monitoring: CIMH staff trained in satellite tools to track sargassum, landslides and land changes, supporting regional hazard preparedness. Barbadian Biotech: UWI research into three microbes found in decomposing sargassum could help turn the seaweed into biofuels, chemicals and other products. Technology Policy: Government says Barbados must keep laws current as it debates regulation of virtual-asset providers to combat financial crime.

Student Data: Barbados educators are being reminded to protect students’ personal information, with a new conference focused on privacy and cybersecurity in schools. Financial Technology: Minister Colin Jordan says Barbados must keep its laws current as it debates the Virtual Assets Provider Bill, to help prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. Climate Monitoring: The Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology is expanding its use of satellite technology to track sargassum, landslides and changes to the Earth’s surface. Biotechnology: UWI research into three microbes found in decomposing sargassum could open new paths to making biofuels, chemicals and other products locally. Digital Services: The Barbados Postal Service says it is open to using AI to improve operations. Technology in Schools: The Education Ministry is weighing how best to use devices in classrooms, while balancing digital learning with reading, writing and textbooks.

Student Data Protection: Barbados educators are being reminded that privacy and cybersecurity laws govern how schools collect, store and use students’ personal information. Climate Monitoring: CIMH is expanding satellite-based tools to track sargassum, landslides and changes to the Earth’s surface, strengthening regional hazard preparedness. Cybersecurity: Barbados joined a regional cybercrime training exchange where specialists shared methods for tackling threats including ransomware, cryptocurrency-related crime and AI-enabled attacks. Local Biotechnology: UWI research into three microbes found in decomposing sargassum could open paths to biofuels, chemicals and other products, supporting Barbados’ ambitions in biotechnology and advanced manufacturing. Digital Services: The Barbados Postal Service is open to using AI to improve operations, while the Education Ministry is weighing how to use classroom technology without overexposing students to screens.

Climate Monitoring: CIMH staff in Barbados have completed EU-supported training in satellite Earth observation, developing tools to track sargassum, landslides and changes to the Earth’s surface to improve regional disaster preparedness. Digital Finance: During debate on the Virtual Assets Provider Bill, Labour Minister Colin Jordan said Barbados must keep legislation current with technology to help combat money laundering and terrorist financing. Cybersecurity: Barbados joined officials from across the region in a cybercrime workshop led by Colombian police, sharing expertise on threats including ransomware, cryptocurrency-related crime and AI. Biotechnology: Researchers are exploring commercial uses for three microbes found in decomposing sargassum; one can break down materials that could help turn the seaweed into biofuels and chemicals. Technology in Schools: The Education Ministry is weighing how to balance digital tools with books, writing and reading, while youth parliamentarians have called for stronger digital access and skills training. Public Services: The Barbados Postal Service says it is open to using AI to improve operations as it adapts to declining traditional mail. Clean Energy: A regional report says policy and regulatory barriers—not technology costs—are slowing Caribbean solar growth, leaving countries exposed to imported fossil fuels.

Cybercrime Cooperation: Belize and Colombia teamed up with Caribbean partners, including Barbados, to train agencies on preventing, investigating and responding to cross-border cybercrime, with specialists sharing tactics tied to crypto, AI and ransomware. Barbados Digital Finance Law: Labour Minister Colin Jordan urged Barbados to keep pace with technology as Parliament debates the Virtual Assets Provider Bill 2026, warning against money-laundering and terrorism-financing risks from new tech. Sargassum Biotech Push: UWI researchers found three previously unidentified microbes in decomposing sargassum, and Barbados is now looking at how the strains could power biofuels and other advanced manufacturing. Education Tech Balance: Education Transformation Minister Chad Blackman said schools are “rethinking” tech use, citing cognitive impacts from heavy device exposure while still planning digital upgrades. AI in Public Services: Barbados Postal Service says it’s open to using AI to modernize operations as traditional mail declines. Health & Tech in Courts: Barbados’ new Gun Court judge Douglas Frederick called for faster police case files and modern court technology to cut backlogs. Renewables Policy Bottleneck: A new Ember report says Caribbean solar growth is outpacing official stats, but policy and regulation are slowing the shift away from imported fossil fuels. Poultry Biosecurity: Barbados stepped up port monitoring after Suriname’s H5 avian influenza outbreak, relying mainly on existing quarantine rules while watching for illegal imports. Women in Clean Energy: CDB launched a US$500,000 initiative to back women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions across the region. Digital Future Debate: Young parliamentarians discussed how to expand digital literacy, coding and AI education without widening the digital divide. Cricket Tech & Infrastructure: CWI welcomed Mia Mottley’s push for sustained investment in high-performance cricket facilities, including Barbados’ planned centre.

Sargassum Biotechnology: Barbados is pushing ahead with new science from UWI research on three microbial strains isolated from decomposing sargassum, including a cellulose- and alginate-breaking bacterium validated by major culture collections—aimed at biofuels, chemicals, and advanced manufacturing. AI in Local Services: Barbados Postal Service says it’s open to using AI to improve operations as traditional mail declines, with plans to roll out new initiatives. Education Tech Balance: Education Minister Chad Blackman says schools are “rethinking” tech use—warning heavy device exposure can reduce learning—while working with Innovation, Science and Technology to find the right mix of devices and paper-based learning. Digital Inclusion Debate: Barbados Youth Parliament argues digital transformation is “risky but necessary,” but must not leave elderly and disabled people behind, calling for inclusive digital literacy and access. Justice Tech Upgrade: The new Gun Court judge, Douglas Frederick, stresses modern court technology and faster police case-file delivery to cut backlogs. Health Tech & Care: Doctors’ Week opens with a message that healthcare is evolving with technology and better information access, but doctors’ leadership remains central. Food Security & Biosecurity: Barbados stepped up port monitoring after Suriname’s bird flu outbreak, relying on existing quarantine rules while targeting illegal imports. Clean Energy Policy: A regional solar report says the Caribbean is installing faster than official stats, but policy and regulation bottlenecks are slowing the shift away from imported fossil fuels. Regional Cricket Tech & Investment: CWI backs Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley’s push for sustained investment in high-performance cricket facilities and sports science. Housing Affordability Pressure: A Habitat for Humanity study finds housing costs are forcing major trade-offs across Latin America and the Caribbean, including reduced food spending and delayed medical care.

AI in Public Services: Barbados Postal Service says it’s open to using artificial intelligence to improve operations, even as traditional mail declines, with more plans expected next year. Digital Inclusion: Barbados Youth Parliament debates digital transformation, pushing for digital literacy, coding and AI education but warning the elderly and people with disabilities must not be left behind. Local AI Policy Role: A consultant cautions Barbados could be stuck as an AI “consumer” unless it builds infrastructure and control over key inputs. Food Security & Regional Tech Links: Venezuela and Barbados consolidate a strategic alliance focused on food security, including commercial and technological exchange. Research & Governance: UWI will honour Ralph Gonsalves with a new Centre for Public Policy and Governance at Cave Hill. Health & Screening: Barbados Cancer Society reports rising breast cancer diagnoses among women in their late 20s and 30s, urging screening and risk-factor research. Biosecurity: Barbados steps up port monitoring after Suriname’s bird flu outbreak, relying on existing quarantine rules while targeting illegal imports. Clean Energy Support: CDB launches a US$500,000 initiative to back women-led clean energy businesses across the region. Cricket Tech & Training: CWI welcomes Mottley’s push for investment in a Barbados High-Performance Centre to boost sports science and recovery.

Housing affordability pressure: Habitat for Humanity’s new global report, Home at What Cost?, says 3 in 4 people worldwide are cutting back on essentials to afford housing, with many delaying medical care or dipping into savings. Caribbean energy policy: Ember’s analysis finds the Caribbean installed solar faster than official figures suggest, but renewables still lag because policy and regulation bottlenecks slow the shift away from imported fossil fuels. Health & prevention at ports: Barbados has stepped up monitoring at entry points after Suriname reported an H5 avian influenza outbreak, while stressing existing quarantine and import controls keep the poultry risk low. Digital transformation debate in Barbados: Youth parliamentarians pushed for digital literacy, coding and AI education, but warned the plan must not leave elderly and people with disabilities behind, and called out outdated school platforms and device access gaps. Clean energy support for women: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 initiative to back women-led businesses developing clean energy solutions across the region. Cricket infrastructure push: Cricket West Indies welcomed Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley’s call for sustained investment, including a proposed Barbados high-performance centre to complement regional facilities. History online for descendants: Nearly 4 million enslavement records from former British colonies have been digitized and made free to search on Ancestry.

AI & Policy for Small States: A Barbados tech consultant says the island risks being a consumer in the global AI race, warning it lacks the infrastructure, computing power and mineral access that drive development. Digital Inclusion Debate: Barbados Youth Parliamentarians pushed for digital transformation that won’t leave elderly and disabled people behind, while government reps flagged outdated school platforms and device/internet gaps. Renewables in the Region: Ember reports Caribbean solar growth is faster than official stats, but policy and regulation bottlenecks are slowing the shift away from imported fossil fuels. Health Tech & Research: Barbados Cancer Society says more women in their late 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with breast cancer, with research underway on risk factors. Food & Biosecurity: Barbados stepped up port monitoring after Suriname’s H5 avian influenza outbreak, relying on existing quarantine rules but increasing checks on illegal imports. Women in Clean Energy: CDB launched a US$500,000 initiative to back women-led businesses turning clean energy ideas into market-ready solutions. Sports Science Infrastructure: CWI welcomed PM Mia Mottley’s call for more cricket investment, including a Barbados high-performance centre. Youth Development: Project Rescue welcomed a new cohort for emotional and confidence skills training across five years. Global History Online: Nearly 4 million enslavement records from former British colonies were digitized and made free to search on Ancestry.

Cricket & Sports Tech: CWI backed Barbados PM Mia Mottley’s push for bigger cricket investment, including funding moving ahead for a Barbados High-Performance Centre that would complement CWI’s Coolidge base with more sports science, recovery and tech. Renewables Policy: Ember’s report says the Caribbean is installing solar faster than official figures, but renewables still sit at about 9.1% of electricity generation because policy and regulation—not solar costs—are slowing the transition. Avian Flu Biosecurity: Barbados stepped up port monitoring after Suriname confirmed H5 avian influenza, relying on existing quarantine and approved-import rules while targeting illegal imports. Digital Inclusion: Barbados Youth Parliament debated digital transformation, warning it must not leave elderly and people with disabilities behind, while also calling for earlier digital literacy, coding and AI education. AI Governance: A tech consultant cautioned that small island states like Barbados may be stuck as AI consumers unless they build infrastructure and influence how the tech is shaped. Women in Clean Energy: CDB launched a US$500,000 SheTrades Caribbean Tech It Up Facility to support women-led businesses turning clean energy ideas into market-ready solutions across the region. Health Research: Barbados Cancer Society says breast cancer diagnoses are rising among younger women, with research underway to identify risk factors. Science & IP: Barbados is moving to secure patents for new sargassum microbes discovered by UWI, aiming to build biotech research capacity and commercial opportunities.

Digital Transformation in Barbados: Youth parliamentarians debated a push for digital literacy, coding and AI education from primary level, but warned about infrastructure gaps and the digital divide—plus calls to ensure elderly and people with disabilities aren’t left behind. AI Policy & Small-Island Reality: A Barbados tech consultant said the island risks being an AI “consumer” unless it can influence infrastructure, computing power and access to key minerals. Health Tech & Research: Barbados Cancer Society reports rising breast cancer diagnoses among women in their late 20s and 30s, while the Barbados Cancer Society’s screening programme continues research into risk factors. Clean Energy for Women-Led Tech: CDB launched a US$500,000 SheTrades Caribbean Tech It Up Facility to fund women-led businesses developing and commercialising clean energy solutions across the region. Marine Science for Innovation: Barbados is moving to secure intellectual property after UWI research identified microbial strains in sargassum that could boost biotech research and high-value marine products. Governance & Public Trust: Barbados Police Service opened a workshop stressing communication as a core leadership tool in modern policing. Regional Tech Links: EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway proposal toward development, aiming for a carrier-neutral submarine network with a target entry into service by end-2029.

Barbados Digital Future Debate: Young parliamentarians pushed for digital literacy, coding and AI education from primary school, but warned about the digital divide and whether schools and infrastructure can keep up. Inclusive Tech Policy: Another youth parliamentarian bloc said the push must also protect elderly and disabled Barbadians, calling for an inclusive national digital transformation strategy. AI Governance for Small Islands: A Barbados tech consultant cautioned that the country risks being an AI “consumer” unless it builds infrastructure and influence over development. Global AI Spotlight: Barbados is set to help shape UN AI policy as the UN Independent International Scientific Panel meets locally next month. Health Tech & Research: The Barbados Cancer Society reports more breast cancer diagnoses among women in their late 20s and 30s, with research underway on risk factors. Clean Energy Innovation: CDB launched a US$500,000 facility to support women-led businesses turning clean energy ideas into market-ready solutions across the region. Marine Science IP: Barbados says UWI research on sargassum microbes could lead to patents and new biotech research and products. Police Comms Training: Barbados Police Service opened a workshop stressing that communication to the public is core to modern policing and trust. Regional Tech & Education: UWI is rolling out AI-based cheating detection software, while warning about the risk of false accusations. Sargassum Seaweed & EU Talks: Barbados continues discussions with the EU on sargassum management and opportunities. Cricket Tech Investment: CWI welcomed Mia Mottley’s call for a Barbados High-Performance Centre, citing sports science and recovery tech.

Digital Transformation in Focus: Barbados’ young parliamentarians debated whether the island is ready for the next stage of digital transformation, pushing for digital literacy, coding and AI education from primary level while warning about infrastructure gaps and the digital divide. Youth Parliament Calls for Practical Upgrades: Government youth reps also flagged outdated school digital platforms and urged earlier AI and digital skills, plus interactive student-centred portals and device/internet support so no learner is left behind. AI Policy Debate for Small States: A Barbados tech consultant cautioned that hosting a UN AI panel meeting may not translate into real influence for small islands unless the region tackles its limited role in building AI infrastructure. Clean Energy for Women Entrepreneurs: The Caribbean Development Bank launched a US$500,000 SheTrades Caribbean Tech It Up Facility to back women-led businesses developing and commercialising clean energy solutions across the region. Health Research Spotlight: The Barbados Cancer Society says breast cancer diagnoses are rising among younger women, and the Breast Screening Programme is researching risk factors. Academic Integrity Tech: UWI is rolling out IntegraGuard to detect AI-related cheating, but a specialist warns false accusations could unfairly punish original work. Sargassum Science: Barbados is moving to secure intellectual property after UWI research identified microbial strains in sargassum that could boost biotech research and marine product value. Regional Tech & Energy Moves: EU talks with Nevis on geothermal support signal possible technical and financial partnership, while EllaLink advanced its Caribbean Gateway proposal toward development with a target entry into service by 2029.

Agri-Food Science & IP: Barbados’ Science and Technology Minister Jonathan Reid says UWI researcher Dr Bidyut Mohapatra has identified three sargassum microbial strains that could be patented locally, with government support to secure intellectual property and keep research talent in the island. AI in Education: UWI is rolling out IntegraGuard to detect academic cheating amid AI use, but officials warn against false accusations and stress teaching AI literacy alongside interviews, presentations and in-person exams. Marine Tech: Barbados and the EU are discussing an approach to sargassum seaweed, tying into the wider push to turn marine resources into high-value products. Energy & Regional Tech: The EU says it’s ready to partner with Nevis on its geothermal project, offering expertise and possible financial support. Skills & Tech Training: Barbados’ Khajon Albert returned after winning bronze at WorldSkills Shanghai, using the win to call for stronger technical and vocational education support beyond traditional academic routes. Public Safety Comms: Barbados Police Service opens a workshop with NTI to make communication a core leadership tool as citizens increasingly record incidents on phones. Housing Tech Upgrades: NHC is upgrading electrical systems in older estates and planning climate-resilient rehousing, after a Maynard’s fire raised safety questions. Regional Governance Innovation: Azerbaijan’s ASAN Khidmet model was showcased to Caribbean governments as a people-powered public service delivery approach.