QUOTE UNQUOTE

“Almost everything with which we interact is being virtualized or digitized and until the ‘singularity’, coding is the medium by which we humans communicate with and give commands to machines.

As a result, it is absolutely imperative that everyone at least has an appreciation of software programming because it is that which defines and changes our Digital spaces, interactions and transactions.”

PS.The technological singularity is a hypothetical future point in time at which technological growth becomes uncontrollable and irreversible, resulting in unforeseeable changes to human civilization.

GEORGE THOMAS Deputy Chief Information Officer & Senior Director of Technology FirstCaribbean International Bank

NADINE a. jack

“Why can

’t I do this online ?!”

How many times have you asked yourself that question when faced with some mundane banking or business administrative procedure, steeped in bureaucratic red tape? What would it take for the Eastern Caribbean to become fully digitized? One great example is the Northern European country Estonia, which is considered one of the most tech-savvy & digitally advanced societies in the world!

It is the first country in the world to offer E-residency, allowing foreigners to start companies in Estonia without having to be a resident. Ninety nine per cent of Estonia’s public services are available online 24-7, including health records, electronic national identification cards and online voting, all of which are linked to a digital signature.

After Estonia became independent from the soviet union in 1991, they saw investment in technology as a key way to boost economic growth, schools and classrooms were digitized and adult computer classes were offered free of charge. Today children as young as seven are taught cyber hygiene and coding (we should remark here

Digiti ze Caribbean me

that this early entry to coding education is also offered at TEN Habitat’s Kids Who Code Programme in Barbados). By the year 2016 the percentage of Estonian adults who use the internet skyrocketed to 91% from 29% in 2000. Also of note is that the telecommunications application Skype, was founded in Estonia in 2003, it was later bought by Microsoft for $8.5 billion. With so much citizens’ digital content, the Estonian government also put steps in place to protect online information. The system is flagged every time data is accessed and by whom. Caribbean could become one of the world’s most influential economic players, if individual countries unite through collaboration. Gabriel feels a digital economy is an ideal catalyst a digital economy is an ideal catalyst for Caribbean evolution as a global force .

So how can the Caribbean learn from Estonia and transition to a more digital and efficient process of conducting business? The founder of Bitt.com, Barbadian, Gabriel Abed, has more than 15 years in the technological industry and is a key proponent of Central Bank Digital Currencies. He believes the for Caribbean evolution as a global force. Currently living in Dubai, he has set his sights on global markets and he sees his West Indian grounding as key to international growth.

Another Caribbean tech entrepreneur

...the become worl economic they collaboration

Caribbean coul one of the d’s most influential players , if unite through

.

- Gabriel Abed Co-founder of bitt.com

Stefan Clarke, who is the founder of Discover 246, a vendor services website, utilizes technology in both traditional and innovative channels. His businesses include a hydroponic farm, Healthy Growers, which utilizes a combination of technology and chemistry to grow sustainable agriculture.

In reference to the possible digitalization of Caribbean economies, Stefan believes, “Some resistance will be met because people are generally reluctant to using something new, unless it comes from a prominent or revered source.” He acknowledges that a full E-transition will be a lengthy process that is still in the distant future, however we can start now by implementing thorough IT programs, at the primary and infant school levels.

Perhaps as individual nations and a Caribbean collective, we need to take a step back to go forward, by creating a robust technologically aware and competent infrastructure, beginning with the educational system and systematically evolve from there. The islands in the region must be proactive in their reception to possible digitalization, or risk their business practices, possibly becoming obsolete .

Nadine A. Jack is a writer, executive producer and modern renaissance woman. Connect: linkedin.com/in/nadine-jack