Youth urged to be creators, not just consumers

Western Bureau:

Chairman of the National AI Task Force, Christopher Reckord, has warned that Jamaica risks falling behind in the artificial-intelligence revolution, urging young people to become creators, innovators and problem-solvers rather than mere consumers of technology.

Speaking to students ahead of the launch of the University of Technology’s (UTech) STEM Summer Camp, Reckord challenged young Jamaicans to embrace emerging technologies, build practical skills and help shape the country’s future.

“The future is not something to wait for. The future is something you prepare for, it's something you imagine, and very, very important, it's something that you are going to be building,” he said.

Now in its third year, the camp will run for three weeks, from July 13 to July 20, across UTech’s Western Jamaica campus in Montego Bay and its main campus in Kingston. It is designed to expose students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on learning and innovation-focused activities.

Addressing anxieties about the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, Reckord urged students to shift their focus away from fears of job displacement and towards learning how to use the technology effectively.

“The better question is not, should I fear AI? The better question is; how can I learn to use AI wisely?” he said.

While acknowledging that some concerns about AI are legitimate, he argued that fear alone would leave people ill-prepared.

“Fear will make you step back. But please, I'm asking you, be curious and step forward and grab it with two hands,” he said.

He pressed students to move beyond passive use of technology. “It's okay to watch videos, but can you make one? It's okay to use the apps, but can you imagine and create one for yourself?” he asked. “I want you to become the kind of young Jamaican who creates things that other people can use.”

One of the gravest mistakes, he suggested, is to allow technology to replace independent thinking. “AI can be your teacher, but not your brain. You can use AI to explain maths, you can use it to help you learn coding, use it to help you understand some of the science, use it to practice writing, use it to brainstorm a business idea. But be careful. If you use AI to avoid thinking, you're cheating yourself.”

Curiosity, critical thinking and a willingness to learn, he stressed, remain more valuable than any tool. “Before AI, before robotics, before coding, before engineering, before business, you have to learn how to think,” he said. “The most powerful tool you own is still your mind.”

Drawing on his own journey from rural Hanover, Reckord recalled how technical skills acquired at the former College of Arts, Science and Technology (CAST), now UTech, helped secure his first job in the computer industry. “Your report card matters, but your ability to learn, adapt and create will shape your future,” he said, noting that practical skills often open doors that academic qualifications alone may not.

He also urged students to view the problems in their communities as opportunities for innovation and enterprise. “Your community is your first lab,” he said. “Where does water settle when it rains? Where is garbage piling up? Where are the roads unsafe? Where do farmers need better tools? Every problem you see is also a possible STEM project.”

Participants were encouraged to identify a single problem in their communities and explore how STEM disciplines could be applied to develop practical solutions.

Looking ahead, Reckord argued that Jamaica could carve out a role in applying AI to local and regional challenges. “We're not going to be building the next ChatGPT, not now, but we can become the people who are using ChatGPT to build solutions in our communities,” he said.

He pointed to opportunities for young people to develop websites, applications and AI-powered services that could help small businesses, farmers and service providers operate more efficiently.

Above all, he urged students not to defer action. “Do not wait until you are 25. Do not wait until you finish university. Do not wait until somebody gives you permission,” he said. “Start small, build a simple project, ask a better question, learn a new tool, create one useful idea, help one person improve one thing.”

“Jamaica does not need only young people who can pass exams,” he added. “Jamaica needs young people who can see problems clearly, imagine solutions boldly, and build futures that are more resilient than the past.”

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com