Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that builds software capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. Instead of following rigid, pre-written rules, AI systems analyze massive amounts of data to find patterns, learn from experience, and make decisions or predictions.
It is used across almost every modern industry to automate tasks, analyse data, and solve complex problems. Companies like Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise use AI cameras and sensors to navigate traffic, read road signs, and avoid obstacles.
It is said that cars steered entirely by artificial intelligence (AI) are significantly safer at preventing serious injury – causing crashes than human drivers, but they still struggle with minor, low-speed traffic incidents and severe weather.
Data from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and industry leaders reveal that AI can eliminate human errors that cause 94% of traffic accidents (like drunk driving, distraction, and fatigue), but introduces unique, software-based errors.
When AI-steered cars do get into accidents, data shows that 4 out of 5 times they are actually rear-ended by a human driver. This is often because AI follows traffic laws so perfectly, stopping exactly at yellow lights or yielding abruptly to pedestrians that human drivers behind them are caught off guard.
Humans can only look in one direction at a time. AI vehicles combine cameras, radar, and LiDAR to see hundreds of yards in every direction simultaneously, completely eliminating blind spots.
Deploying fully autonomous AI vehicles in Grenada and in most Caribbean islands right now is highly unsafe and practically impossible due to the island’s extreme geography and infrastructure.
While AI driving models excel on predictable, well-marked highways, Grenada’s distinct combination of narrow roads, blind corners, mountainous terrain, and unique local driving habits creates an environment where modern AI systems completely break down.
Since AI vehicle sensors (LiDAR and radar) require a clear line of sight to map out path options, our mountainous cliffs and dense rainforest foliage block these sensors, severely reducing the AI’s “look-ahead” horizon.
Grenada’s volcanic topography features steep inclines, sharp drops, and notorious hairpins like those on the Grand Etang Road linking St. George’s and Grenville and therefore makes it impossible for AI vehicles to operate at this time.
Nevertheless, AI scans, X-rays, MRIs, and CT scans are used to detect diseases like cancer earlier and more accurately than human eyes alone.
Banks in Grenada use AI, primarily through regional partnerships, intelligent automation, and fintech integrations.
The Caribbean Association of Banks (CAB) has partnered with tech providers like Fluid AI to train regional banks on deploying AI-powered chatbots, voice assistants, and virtual agents capable of dramatically reducing response times and handling customer queries 24/7.
With the rise of synthetic identities and AI-generated forged documents, local banks and CBI (Citizenship by Investment) sectors are increasingly adopting advanced AI fraud-detection tools to protect their networks.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) uses and approaches Artificial Intelligence (AI) through a strategic mix of risk monitoring, internal digital transformation, regional policy planning, and community development.
As the monetary authority for Grenada and seven other island nations, its primary focus is on supervising financial systems safely while driving regional modernisation. It actively tracks how criminal networks use generative AI to threaten the region’s financial stability.
The central bank issues public alerts and updates through platforms like its ECCB Connects program. It tracks how local commercial banks integrate AI models into credit scoring and internal data architectures to ensure they maintain strict regulatory standards, operational resilience, and data quality.
Over the past few years, AI has been used to write and produce calypsoes. Tools like Suno or ChatGPT have been used to instantly generate lyrics and musical arrangements. However, because AI calypsoes can sound generic and lack authentic local rhythm, many musicians use a hybrid workflow.
You can prompt AI to write verses matching a specific rhyme scheme or storytelling style. However, many users on platforms like Reddit note that AI lyrics can sometimes sound clichéd, so you may want to edit them yourself.
Regardless of what you think of the risks of using AI, no one can dispute that it’s here to stay. Businesses of all sizes have found great benefits from utilising AI, and consumers across the globe use it in their daily lives.
But even people who are excited about AI can ask the question: what, exactly, are the advantages and disadvantages of using it? The advantages range from streamlining, saving time, eliminating biases, and automating repetitive tasks, just to name a few.
The disadvantages are things like costly implementation, potential human job loss, and lack of emotion and creativity. Among the major disadvantages of AI are that automating routine tasks using this technology threatens various sectors, potentially leading to mass unemployment for workers without updated skills.
Another disadvantage is that AI systems learn from historical data, meaning pre-existing societal prejudices can be inadvertently reinforced and amplified.
Also, AI relies on vast amounts of data, raising serious concerns regarding data breaches and the collection of personally identifiable information without consent.
AI struggles to replicate human empathy, nuanced judgment, and genuine moral reasoning, which are crucial in sensitive fields like healthcare and education.
Using AI can be very costly since building, training, and maintaining advanced AI systems require substantial financial investment in computing power and specialised talent.
Training large-scale AI models consumes massive amounts of electricity and water, contributing to significant ecological concerns. Excessive dependence on technology can lead to a reduction in human problem-critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
A major concern among older adults is the loss of personalised, compassionate communication. Because AI lacks genuine emotion, many seniors feel it cannot replicate the empathy needed in delicate situations, such as receiving healthcare, financial advice, or customer service.
Because they are highly targeted by scams, seniors are often wary of AI being used to bypass security. Many feel vulnerable to sophisticated, AI-driven fraud and identity theft tactics.
Technology is frequently designed assuming digital fluency. This creates a “gray digital divide” where older people feel ostracised or alienated by AI systems that do not account for age-related changes in vision, motor skills, or cognitive adaptability.
Furthermore, AI systems and hiring algorithms often exhibit ageist biases, which can marginalise older adults in the workplace. Additionally, older individuals often have accumulated decades of valuable, irreplaceable, and highly specific real-world expertise.
They view AI as an inferior substitute for the nuanced decision-making capabilities that experienced humans bring to the table. Many seniors also worry about AI’s societal impact, specifically how it may displace human workers or make younger people over-reliant on machines for basic skills and critical thinking.
Despite these concerns, not all older adults reject AI. Many are actually quite interested in AI applications if they are explained in clear, accessible language.
Research shows that many seniors embrace AI for safety, independence, and convenience, particularly for Home and Public Safety, Fraud Protection, and Independent Living Support.
Simeon Collins is a former Director of the Grenada Bureau of Standards and first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA), a CARICOM Institution