THE EVENT FOCUSED ON THE TRANSFORMATIVE POTENTIAL OF AI IN A WORLD THAT RELIES HEAVILY ON TECHNOLOGY.

On the fringe of this year’s Saint Lucia-Taiwan Partnership Trade Show, an AI Forum was held to explore both the advantages of and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).

The AI Forum was held on Friday morning, November 1, 2024, in the Dolphins Conference Room at Bay Gardens Beach Resorts in Rodney Bay. Held under the theme, “From Personalization to Productivity -- Harness AI Potential for Global Success”, the event focused on the transformative potential of AI in a world which has come to rely heavily on technology.

H.  E. Peter Chia-Yen Chen, Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, spoke at the opening ceremony of the AI Forum, noting that Taiwan plays a pivotal role in the global AI chip market, producing over 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors, which power cutting-edge AI applications and research. He said Taiwan accounts for about two-thirds of AI server production worldwide. Efforts to boost awareness about AI in Saint Lucia, he said, have been ongoing over the past years.

“Since last year, this trade show has focused on digital technology and innovation, with many local exhibitors showcasing products related to AI,” Ambassador Chen said. “In October 2024, the National Competitiveness and Productivity Council (NCPC) successfully held an AI Summit in collaboration with the Department of Economic Development and TaiwanICDF, highlighting the growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in Saint Lucia.”

Ambassador Chen thanked Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, and Mr. Paul Hilaire, Permanent Secretary in the Department of Economic Development and the Youth Economy, for their unwavering support to the AI Forum. He expressed hope that the AI Forum would be insightful and inspiring, and provide practical strategies to help businesses in Saint Lucia and Taiwan enhance their e-commerce performance.

Hon. Emma Hippolyte, Minister for Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs, said the integration of AI into small island developing states such as Saint Lucia is essential towards a long-term development perspective and sustained ability to compete globally.

“AI has permeated industries worldwide, transforming processes, enhancing efficiency and introducing new opportunities,” said Hon. Hippolyte. “AI is not only reshaping business globally, but also stands to impact us significantly, as it truly epitomizes what is in fact the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”

Hon. Hippolyte said the limitations posing a challenge for Saint Lucia -- such as remoteness, small population, and the inability to establish economies of scale -- have forced the island to trail behind the developed world in terms of technology.  Noting that Saint Lucia is classified as an adopter of technology rather than a leader, she said the classification nevertheless allows Saint Lucia to turn that disadvantage into an advantage.

“(We can do so) based on the strategies that we implement and the rate at which we integrate these emerging technologies,” Hon. Hippolyte explained. “We must, therefore, be ready and willing to embrace new technologies, holding firm to that entrepreneurial spirit that defines Saint Lucia and Saint Lucians.”

Hon. Hippolyte said AI can be used to streamline routine business tasks, automate repetitive activities and enable management and employees to focus on high-value tasks, especially for micro and small businesses.

“This enhanced efficiency and productivity will be especially beneficial in sectors such as tourism, agriculture, healthcare and education, where AI applications can simplify supply chains, personalize services and manage data effectively and efficiently,” she said.

Hon. Hippolyte thanked Ambassador Chen and the Government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their continued support and collaboration in various areas that assist in the socio-economic development of Saint Lucia.

Featured speaker at the AI Forum was Mr. Chien Lee, Founder and CEO of SparkAmplify, a data-driven company specializing in B2B marketing technology, whose presentation was entitled, “Boosting E-Commerce Sales with Social Selling”. He noted that despite many people having concerns about the disadvantages of AI, there are many advantages of the technology from which people are already benefiting.

“Every day, AI is a part of us,” Lee said. “Whether it be using your cellphone writing text providing suggestions, or on Google Map giving us directions as to where to go, or even our smartphone voice-assisted Siri, and our beloved Netflix where we get a lot of our entertainment -- these are all aspects of AI that are already interwoven in our lives today. So, ready or not, AI is here.”

Mr. Lee later joined Saint Lucian panelists to discuss the topic he introduced, namely Dr. Thomas Samuel, Trade Advisor in the Ministry of Commerce, Manufacturing, Business Development, Cooperatives and Consumer Affairs; Mr. Jim Joseph, Managing Director, Map and IT Solutions Ltd. and an Information Management and AI Consultant; and Ms. Nysa Pierre, L2 Software Development Developer of Orbtronics Ltd. An interactive Q&A session followed, whereby invited guests fielded questions to the panelists.