Mico University sets stage for AI and innovation summit

The Mico University College is taking steps to strengthen Jamaica’s position in the global digital economy with the staging of the Innovation with and for a Purpose (IP) Summit, scheduled for May 25 to 27 in Trelawny.

Hosted in collaboration with The Media and Innovation Lab at the University of Miami, the national forum will bring together leaders from government, business, academia and the technology sector to examine how Jamaica can prepare for the economic and workforce shifts being driven by artificial intelligence and digital transformation worldwide.

According to Dr Asburn Pinnock, president of The Mico University College, countries are being forced to rethink how they educate their citizens, support businesses and remain competitive. “For Jamaica, the IP Summit is being positioned as a platform to confront these questions directly and to begin aligning national efforts around a shared vision for the future,” he said.

“This is about readiness,” said Dr Azizi Seixas, founding director of The Media and Innovation Lab at The University of Miami. “The global economy is evolving quickly, and Jamaica must be intentional about how it prepares. The IP Summit creates a space for the country to examine where we are, where we need to go, and how we plan to get there.”

The summit will feature a diverse line-up of global and regional thought leaders, including Dr David Rhew of Microsoft, Dr Rada Mihalcea of the University of Michigan and Dr Brent Anders of the American University of Armenia, alongside regional experts in science, education and public policy. Discussions will span key sectors such as education, health, entrepreneurship, climate resilience and workforce development, with a focus on how artificial intelligence can be responsibly applied to drive national and regional progress.

Pinnock emphasised that the summit is designed to translate complex technological shifts into real and tangible local impact.

“Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a distant concept, the forum will centre on what it means for Jamaica’s education system, workforce development, entrepreneurship landscape and long-term economic growth. It will also play a key role in shaping a more coordinated national approach to innovation, encouraging deeper collaboration between policymakers, educators and private-sector leaders.”

Beyond the immediate discussions, the IP Summit is intended to contribute to a broader national movement, positioning Jamaica as a serious participant in the global innovation economy and as a convening hub for technology-focused dialogue in the Caribbean.

In the longer term, the event’s conveners envisage the summit as a catalyst for sustained impact, helping to influence policy direction, strengthen talent development and expand opportunities for investment and innovation across the country.