Conference to explore value of fusing emotional intelligence and AI in transforming organisations

As part of the observance of Organisation Development (OD) Transformation Week 2025, officially declared by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, the Caribbean Centre for Organisation Development Excellence Limited (CARI-CODE), in association with the Caribbean Organisation Development Network (CODN), will be hosting Organisation Development Transformation 2025, the fifth staging of their annual conference. The event takes place at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on April 15 and April 16, under the theme ‘Expand Your Horizon! Creating Synergies Through the Awesome Lens of Emotional Intelligence (EI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)’.

CARI-CODE and CODN Founder and CEO Ilsa H. duVerney says that as an organisation dedicated to transformation of the workplace and continuous improvement, “We view as vital the effective incorporation and management of artificial intelligence in the workplace, an objective which we believe is impossible without the recognition and deployment of emotional intelligence. For transformational efforts to be optimised, organisation professionals need to work with the whole system to solidify profound values such as participation, inclusion, collaboration and organisational justice.”

Pearnel Charles, Jr, minister of labour and social security, will give the opening address focusing on Jamaica as “a nation seizing opportunities to build a future powered by emotional and artificial intelligence”.

Keynote speaker Dr William Brendel, will get the conference under way with the topic ‘Human- Centred AI: A Game-Changer for Leaders’.

Brendel’s is a designer of OD competency assessments; professor of OD and change; master facilitator, as well as coach, author, and OD consultant.

Among the other individuals scheduled to speak at the conference are Dr Kevin Brown, president of the University of Technology, who will address ‘The Future of Human and AI Collaboration: Enhancing Human Connection In An Automated World’; and Dr Luz Longsworth, senior corporate director, Sandals Corporate University, Sandals Resorts International, who will speak on ‘Creating Centres of Excellence: Why EI is More Critical Than Ever in a Digital Age’.