Jamaica Joins the AI Revolution with First-Ever Olympiad Team
Jamaica Live News Desk– | Aug 22, 2025
Jamaica has entered the global stage of Artificial Intelligence (AI), proudly fielding its first national AI team at the prestigious International Olympiad of Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), held in Beijing, China. This historic moment marks a bold step into a rapidly evolving digital era, signaling Jamaica’s commitment to innovation and technological leadership.
Jamaica’s First AI Olympiad Team
In August 2025, Jamaica made history when four brilliant young minds represented the nation at the IOAI, competing against over 300 participants from more than 80 countries. The trailblazing team included:
- Matthew Williams (15) – Silver Medalist
- Cruz Caine (17) – Honorable Mention
- Makini Thompson (18)
- Jamia Williamson (19)
Guided by their coach and lead instructor Nasha Frith of Halls of Learning, the students showcased not just technical skill, but also Jamaica’s growing potential in AI-driven innovation.
“These achievements demonstrate the brilliance of Jamaican youth when given the right opportunities,” said Frith, underscoring the rigorous four-round National Olympiad for AI selection process, organized by Halls of Learning in partnership with EduSpace.
Building Jamaica’s AI Future
While competitions highlight individual talent, Jamaica is also laying the foundation for a comprehensive national AI strategy. A number of bold initiatives are reshaping how Jamaicans will learn, work, and innovate in the coming years:
1. National AI Lab
Launched through a partnership between the University of Technology (UTech), the Amber Group, and HEART/NSTA Trust, the National AI Lab will serve as a hub for research, training, and the development of AI-based solutions tailored to Jamaica’s needs.
2. AI in Education
The Jamaican government has pledged to integrate AI and coding across all school levels, supported by dedicated teacher training programs. According to the Jamaica Information Service, this represents a transformative shift in education, preparing students for a digital-first future.
3. Jamaica Learning Assistant (JLA)
Set for rollout in September 2025, the JLA platform will personalize learning for students while supporting teachers with curriculum development and assessment tools. The pilot will begin in Grades 3 and 9, offering a model for wider adoption across the school system.
4. Workforce Readiness
The BOOST (Building Opportunities for Outstanding STEM Talent) program is equipping the next generation with skills to thrive in STEM fields, ensuring that Jamaica’s workforce is prepared for opportunities in emerging digital industries.
Driving Economic and Social Transformation
Jamaica is preparing to launch its first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab at the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) in St. Andrew by September 1. The groundbreaking initiative is being developed in partnership with the Amber Group and will see the onboarding of 100 data analysis engineers to build out the facility and advance agentic AI — a new generation of AI systems capable of making decisions and taking action without constant human oversight.
A National Leap into the AI Future
At the signing ceremony held at the AC Hotel in Kingston, Senator the Hon. Ambassador Audrey Marks, Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation, described the project as a critical step in Jamaica’s digital transformation journey.
“AI is no longer just a tool of convenience,” Marks said. “It is a driver of economic transformation, job creation, innovation, and global competitiveness. With the global AI market projected to reach nearly US$3.6 trillion by 2034, Jamaica must position itself as a serious contender. We have the talent, the infrastructure, and the entrepreneurial spirit.”
She thanked the Amber Group for its role in advancing national development through investments in AI, digital learning, and technology.
Education at the Core
Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, emphasized that the AI Lab will fundamentally reshape education.
“The AI Lab and the Jamaica Learning Assistant are not gimmicks,” she said. “They are pillars of a new education era—one where access to high-quality learning is not determined by income or geography. Jamaica’s children deserve not just to consume technology but to create it.”
Dr. Morris Dixon also revealed that educators are being trained in AI literacy and digital pedagogy to guide students into this new era.
“Transformation requires bravery,” she added. “We have chosen to leapfrog into a future of limitless opportunity.”
A Hub for Research and Talent
According to HEART/NSTA Trust Managing Director, Dr. Taneisha Ingleton, the lab will serve as a national hub for training, research, and curriculum development in AI and data science. HEART and UTech will collaborate on faculty exchanges, shared laboratories, and joint research to create a steady pipeline of highly skilled talent.
UTech President Dr. Kevin Brown said the university is ideally positioned to host the facility.
“This lab will be a hub of creativity and excellence,” Dr. Brown explained. “It will unite researchers, developers, entrepreneurs, and students to solve real-world challenges with cutting-edge technology.”
A Bold Step Forward
The establishment of the National AI Lab signals Jamaica’s determination to claim its place in the global digital economy. By blending research, education, and industry, the initiative is set to accelerate the country’s capacity to compete, innovate, and thrive in the age of artificial intelligence.
Minister with responsibility for Efficiency and Digital Transformation, Senator Audrey Marks, emphasized that these initiatives are about more than just technology—they represent a vision of national progress.
“AI is a tool for economic transformation and social development,” Marks noted. “Jamaica’s young people will not just be consumers of technology, but creators and leaders in the global digital economy.”
A New Chapter in Jamaica’s Global Story
From sprinting dominance on the track to innovation in technology, Jamaica continues to prove that size is no barrier to global impact. The achievements of Matthew Williams, Cruz Caine, and their teammates stand as inspiration—not only to future AI Olympiad contenders, but to all young Jamaicans ready to dream big in the digital age.