This was disclosed by Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Oversight for Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon.

Passed in 2020, the Data Protection Act provides guidelines on how personal data should be handled in physical or electronic form.

In her video presentation during the sixth Annual TechCon Conference at the Summit in New Kingston on Wednesday (October 4), Dr. Morris Dixon said data protection and cybersecurity are critical for Jamaica’s transformation to a digital powerhouse.

“In a few weeks, I will take the data protection regulations for both the Minister and the Data Commissioner to Parliament. The Data Protection regulations will not be rigid dictums but collaborative frameworks forged through active engagements with professionals,” she said.

The Minister pointed out that the Office of the Information Commissioner has been intensifying its public education campaign and compliance support efforts for the Act, which will come into effect on December 1 this year.

“I ask you to pay keen attention to their messages. We have been listening to key stakeholders in the private and public sector who are working hard to be ready for the implementation of the Act,” she said.

“We have heard that some [stakeholders] have been very proactive and have done tremendous work to be ready for December. There are others, however, who are having challenges putting all of the requisite systems and processes in place to be compliant with the Act,” the Minister added.

Senator Morris Dixon said the Government is aware of these concerns, “and we are looking at ways to ease in the requirements as much as is possible within the confines of the Act”.

She advised: “I will speak more on that as we have further engagements with the private-sector interest groups.”

Dr. Morris Dixon reiterated that laws and policies are only as effective as their execution.

“As the architects of the digital age, look at data protection as more than just a check box in your operating procedures. View it as a core principle, a guiding star. Legislation and policies can only do so much. True data protection begins with you – the innovators, builders, coders. The choices you make, the codes you write and the systems you develop will determine the trajectory of Jamaica’s future,” the Minister said.

Senator Morris Dixon pointed out that the legislation represents a significant milestone for Jamaica.

“It ensures that personal data is handled with the respect and care it deserves, placing Jamaica at the forefront of global best practices. In other words, it ensures resilience going forward. I urge you all to view the Data Protection Act, not as a hinderance but as a foundation. It is a foundation upon which we can build resilient digital platforms and solutions for our country,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, said the work continues to help persons and entities understand their rights and responsibilities under the legislation.

Spatial Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is poised to revolutionise training in Jamaica’s tourism industry through virtual and augmented reality platforms for enhancing the education and professional development of staff and stakeholders in the sector.

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, endorsed the transformative potential of the technology while addressing the launch of the EON Reality and Sandals Corporate University (SCU) training and development partnership at Sandals Royal Plantation in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, on Thursday (October 5).

“We gather to celebrate the launch of the SCU and the EON Reality XR platform as a milestone innovation that has the potential to dramatically reshape the education and training landscape in the tourism sector and other industries,” Mr. Bartlett stated.

“This is because it focuses on the use of virtual augmented mixed and extended reality, and this will help to fundamentally transform the methods by which we acquire knowledge and exchange training,” he added.

The collaboration promises to impact Jamaica and the Caribbean on a wide scale, with the potential to target over 10,000 employees for upskilling according to the Minister.

Additionally, he said the interactive and immersive approach contributes to securing the future of tourism by equipping the workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in an ever-evolving industry.

“In the current era, characterised by rapid technological changes, endeavours such as the SCU and EON partnership will guarantee Jamaica’s sustained position in tourism as a global leader in education and training,” Mr. Bartlett outlined.

“What we are doing in Jamaica is truly creating the space for leadership. The goal is not to merely establish a platform but, more importantly, it is to herald the advent of a new paradigm in education transformation,” he added.

SCU, as part of the Sandals Resorts International brand, holds an esteemed place in the hospitality sector.

Through the unique adult education programme offered by SCU, team members have access to comprehensive hospitality-specific training and academic qualifications.

The use of EON Reality’s innovative solutions across these diverse programmes demonstrates the versatility of the EON AI Assistant in facilitating learning and teaching across various subject areas.

Executive Chairman of Sandals Resorts International, Adam Stewart, pointed out that learning has always been and will continue to be at the heart of what defines Sandals and its subsidiaries.

He said the brand is built on human interaction, noting that amidst all the changes, the core of their service remains “person to person, smile to smile”.

“So, my job has been to follow through on what started many, many years ago, to assemble the most extraordinary team of visionaries and find most extraordinary platforms to be able to execute on that dream,” Mr. Stewart explained.

“This [partnership] is going to help so many Caribbean nationals, hopefully starting here, but expanding right through the wider Caribbean and far beyond Sandals Resorts International, so [that] we can train our people and uplift them,” he added.

Digital Jamaica, a €9.5-million programme aimed at increasing access to and use of information and communications technologies (ICT) to support the country’s transition to a digital economy and society was launched on Tuesday (October 10).

An initiative of the Government of Jamaica in partnership with the European Union (EU), Digital Jamaica will be implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Ministry of Education and Youth and the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.

It will connect Jamaicans through high-speed Internet, support the installation of Wi-Fi networks in schools, and the training of students and teachers in digital skills.

Support will be provided to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technological solutions.

It is expected that the programme will facilitate greater use of digital tools to further bridge the digital divide and equip young people with the digital skills needed to succeed in the future.

Minister without Portfolio in the OPM with oversight for Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. the Hon. Dana Morris Dixon, hailed the programme as a beacon of change and development.

She underscored that the initiative aims to not only transform the technological landscape of Jamaica but to empower citizens by enhancing access to information, promoting digital literacy and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

She noted that a population equipped with digital skills is better poised for innovation, is more competitive in the global arena and is likely to attract more investors.

“Digital empowerment is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is the catalyst that propels nations towards unparalleled growth and prosperity. It bridges the gap between the urban and the rural, the privileged and underprivileged, creating a symphony of inclusivity and equality,” she said.

Senator Morris Dixon, who was addressing the Exchange of Documents Ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade in downtown Kingston, thanked the EU for funding the initiative.

“This programme stands as a testament to the unyielding commitment and collaborative spirit of our nations, marking a new chapter in our enduring partnership,” she said.

In her remarks, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Affairs at the EU, Helena Konig, noted that Digital Jamaica is the first concrete, grant-funded multi-sector programme of support to Jamaica’s digital transformation agenda to be launched post-COVID-19.

“Digital Jamaica represents a well-packaged programme of support to key challenges identified by Jamaica as imperative to address over the next four years. Digital Jamaica will support the Ministry of Education and Youth to review, update and integrate Jamaica’s National ICT Competency Framework for Teachers into the curricula of all publicly funded teacher training institutions,” Ms. Konig indicated.

She explained that the strategic targeting of the foundation of education is vital for Jamaica to achieve its goal of a knowledge-based society and a digitally competent labour force.

Ms. Konig shared that Digital Jamaica will further boost the collaboration between the OPM and the Ministry of Education and Youth to bring Wide Area Network (WAN) and Wi-Fi connectivity to more than 1000 public schools, including children’s homes.

“It will contribute towards ongoing government efforts to reduce social vulnerability to the digital divide, particularly among students, including special needs students in unserved and underserved areas,” she remarked.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Sancia Bennett Templer, disclosed that €1.7 million of the budget will be allocated to the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) to facilitate the active participation of MSMEs in the digital transitioning programme.

This, she noted, is of great importance, given that MSMEs currently constitute about 60 to 70 per cent of all jobs in Jamaica.

“By nature, they tend to be agile and responsive to change. By involving them in digital transitioning programmes, there is a tremendous opportunity for widespread adoption of digital technologies. Digital solutions can support MSMEs by assisting them in managing transactions at a distance, delivering goods efficiently, facilitating access to financial services and engaging with existing and new customers,” Mrs. Bennett Templer said.

She shared that among other things, the Ministry will provide training for the JBDC and business support services providers, who will then provide digital transformation training to MSMEs across the island.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Youth, Hon. Fayval Williams, welcomed the programme, noting that it is an important complement to the Government’s efforts at enabling citizens to develop new capabilities – from simple digital literacy to complex competencies in data science and coding.

Mrs. Williams noted that in-service teachers, those in training and aspiring teachers stand to benefit from Digital Jamaica.

“The increased focus on technology allows for an avenue to encourage our students to widen their career prospects and to embrace this field as one in which they can thrive.

“We believe that by improving access to technology and technological devices, we will create a level playing field for all our students,” the Education Minister said.

Digital Jamaica is the first bilateral EU Global Gateway Flagship Programme to be signed in the Caribbean.

Global gateway is a new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in the digital, energy and transport sectors and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world.