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Barbados Has a Painfully Slow Tech Adoption Rate

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Submitted by James Austin

Barbados Has A Painfully Slow Tech Adoption Rate: As I hear calls to Embrace AI opportunities how will AI Be Any Different?

As discussions about embracing artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities grow louder I can’t help but feel puzzled. 

Barbados has been notably slow in seizing opportunities in two critical areas: **cybersecurity** and **data privacy**. Both are essential pillars of the digital economy, and yet the Barbados pace of adoption and implementation has been sluggish to be nice. 

What, then, makes embracing AI any different?

For years, cybersecurity has been a pressing concern, with threats growing more sophisticated by the day. Yet, many Caribbean nations still lack robust defenses and coherent strategies to protect against cyberattacks. Investment in cybersecurity training, technologies, and infrastructure has lagged, leaving businesses and governments vulnerable. Similarly, data privacy—a key issue as more sensitive information is digitized—has not been fully addressed, with many countries still developing or refining their data protection laws.

Given this backdrop, the calls to embrace AI raise a question: if we’ve been slow to adopt essential technologies like cybersecurity and data privacy, how can we effectively seize the opportunities AI offers? AI presents complex challenges of its own, including ethical considerations, data management, and the need for skilled talent. Without a foundation in cybersecurity and data privacy, AI adoption could expose the region to even greater risks.

To truly harness AI’s potential, the Caribbean must first strengthen its digital fundamentals. Cybersecurity and data privacy are not just technical necessities; they are enablers of trust in the digital space. Only then can the region hope to successfully adopt AI and other emerging technologies, positioning itself for sustainable growth in the digital age.

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28 responses to “Barbados Has a Painfully Slow Tech Adoption Rate”

  1. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    SOME OF THE DUMBOS, DIMWITS & DUNCES WHO ARE ALSO HIGH PRIESTS IN THE (UN)HALLOWED HALLS OF SCIENTISM*, TECH* & POLITRICKS* WHOSE PRIME DIRECTIVE IS THEIR WORSHIP IN THE SYNA_GOG_OF_SATAN & ALL IT STANDS FOR – FALLING PROSTRATE & BOWING DOWN TO A DISHEVELLED EFFIGY OF IBLIS & MARDUK IN THE HOPE THAT THEIR MADNESS WILL CHANGE THE WORLD FOR BETTER!!! WHAT DELUSIONS OF INSANITY!!!

    According to recent ‘Reports & Data’, 2023 saw a staggering number of “SCIENTIFIC PAPERS RETRACTIONS”, surpassing all previous years. The exact figure stands at over 10,000 retracted papers, which is a new record!!!

    In comparison to previous years, putting this debacle into some kinda’ perspective – (TEN YEARS BEFORE), in 2013, there were only around 1,000 retractions. The numbers have gradually increased, reaching 4,000 by 2022. The exponentially sharp rise to over 10,000 in 2023 indicates a significant escalation in the rate of retractions…

    BUT WHY?

    “THE MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX” with its #IndustryConcerns & “ANALYSIS” tries to “SPIN THE USUAL YARN” – to blindfold the “UNENLIGHTENED” with a “RIBBON OF DARKNESS” – when they know that much of “SO-CALLED SCIENCE” – “SPUN BY THE #gods OF SCIENTISM” is a “CROQ”, a “SHAM”, a “FRAUD” & is nothing more than “MEDIEVAL ALCHEMY” prancing, parading & postulating around in a “NASTY FROCK” while giving the “IMAGERY” of a “CLEAN VESSEL” when it is nothing more than a “STINKING SLAPPER” in a grass skirt!!!

    STRONG LANGUAGE???

    Here are the “FACTS”:

    Experts attribute this surge to a “PERFECT STORM” of factors, including:

    “INCENTIVIZED PUBLISHING” by researchers who are increasingly pressured to publish numerous papers to advance their careers, leading to a focus on “QUANTITY” over “QUALITY” – the same can be said for “CELL PHONE” developers & manufacturers, which is another “SCAM” ( A TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY) & every other piece of “DAMNABLY MALIGNANT AREAS OF TECHNOLOGY” sold as “SNAKE OIL” to the “MASSES OF IMBECILES” yearly – (#NewLaunchAfterNewLaunch)!!!

    “JOURNAL PROLIFERATION” many of which are “LOW QUALITY”, “LOW DENSITY”, “CEREBRAL NANO-PARTICLES” fished out of a “MURKY, PUTRID POND” of “LOW IQ INDIVIDUALS” whose “PREDATORY NATURE” is couched in “DOLLARS & CENTS” with most having precious little common “SENSE” – all contributing to the nagging problem (SO-CALLED SCIENCE IS NOW EXPERIENCING)!!!

    WE WERE HARANGED, BULLIED, ACCOSTED DAILY DURING THE PLANdemic 2 #FollowTheScience, “FOLLOW THE SCIENCE” – WHEN IN FACT, THEY WANTED US TO #Worship the #gods of “SCIENTISM” (WHICH IS NOW THE NEW 21ST CENTURY #ApostateReLIEgion ON STEROIDS)!!!

    For all the “EMPHASIS” on so-called “SCHOLARLY WORK” by men & women with #PhDs who have (“PERMANENT HEAD DAMAGE”) – #AcademiaFallsFlat on its “ARSE” like “HUMPTY-DUMPTY” when so-called “REPUTABLE DISCIPLINES” suffer the ravages of not just “BAD APPLES” but the sheer lack of effective “DETECTION” & PREVENTION” mechanisms – “CHECKS & BALANCES” supposedly in an “ARTIFICIALLY INTELLIGENT” (AS IF INTELLIGENCE HAS EVER BEEN “ARTIFICIAL”) – in a world where “AUTOMATIC DETECTION SOFTWARE” as well as, “PLAGIARISM TOOLS” provide almost “ZERO FOOL-PROOF CHECKS” – allowing subpar research to slip through!!!

    Now the “CRAP” has hit the fan, the implications & future directions present a massive challenge for publishers, researchers, academic institutions & the bevvy of “IDIOTS” who are being hung out to dry!!!

    The massive number of retractions in 2023 serves as a wake-up call for the scientific community & publishers. It highlights the need for:

    (1) Improved quality control measures
    (2) Enhanced author accountability
    (3) Increased transparency & communication about retractions
    (4) Better detection & prevention of research misconduct

    As the scientific community & “TECH” continues to grapple with these issues, it is essential to prioritize integrity, rigour, & accountability in research publishing!!!

    There is a lot more that can be said – “A BATTLE 4 ANOTHER DAY”!!!

    #WhatAWorld
    #TheMarchOfMADNESS

  2. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    An outstanding submission by James Austin followed by a good post by TB. It is good to see the blogmaster occasionally adding value to the discussion.

    I should also note that TB has his own style. A style that has you debating if to enter the pool or just sit at the edge on one of the chairs. I have found that it is worth a dive in.

    If I can add to what James Wood wrote. Much of our effort on cybercrime/cybersecurity was spent on trying to punish people ‘because of how others said they were made to feel’. I wonder if our new legislation missed many of the topics that need to be covered . Please follow the attached link.

    https://cuetolawgroup.com/types-of-cybercrime/

    Table of Contents
    What is Cyber Crime?
    How Many Types of Cybercrime Are There?
    The 3 Categories of Cybercrime
    Individual
    Property
    Government
    What Are the Different Types of Cybercrime? Full List of Cyber Crimes You Need to Know About
    1. AI-Powered Attacks
    2. Computer Vandalism
    3. Copyright Infringement
    4. Cross-Site Scripting
    5. Cyber Harassment ************************
    6. Cyber/Typosquatting
    7. Cyberstalking
    8. Cyberterrorism
    9. Denial of Service (DoS)
    10. Distribution of Child Pornography/Human Trafficking
    11. Drive-By Attacks
    12. Eavesdropping Attacks
    13. Insider Threats
    14. Malware
    15. Online Libel/Slander ***************************
    16. Phishing
    17. Ransomware
    Need Help With Any of These Types of Cyber Crimes?
    Key Takeaways on the Different Kinds of Cyber Crime
    FAQs
    What Are the Most Common Cybercrimes?
    What Are the Different Types of Cyber Criminals?
    Which Country Has the Highest Rate of Cyber Crime?

  3. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ Terence
    Boss, we done KNOW that ‘de dog dead’.

    We should therefore not be overly surprised that the thieves and cheaters are now running things…
    We should EXPECT to be attacked by evil without warning barks…
    and..
    We MUST know that there will be increasingly pungent smells, such as the MAGA movement, and the slide of academia, and of the ‘church’…..

    These things only serve as reassurance to bushmen that, WHERE IT MATTERS, everything is exactly on track….

    What a special time to be alive…

  4. Terence M Blackett Avatar
    Terence M Blackett

    @BUSH TEA &

    “We done KNOW that ‘de dog dead’…”

    @ The OG – “debating if to enter the pool or just sit at the edge on one of the chairs. I have found that it is worth a dive-in…”

    There’s a “SCHOOL OF ERRONEOUS THEORETICAL THOUGHT” that believes “ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE” & “TRANSCENDENT HUMANISTIC TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT” will somehow save us from the “STINKING PILE OF BULLCRAP” that the world has sunk into like a “QUAGMIRE OF QUICKSAND”!!!

    “UNHOLYWEIRD” labelled the academic institution – “HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT & WIZARDRY” – with its “HIGH PRIESTESS”, #JKRowling having opened up a “DEMONIC DOOR” to receive the “MUTTERING” from “FALLEN ANGELS” that resulted in the “HARRY POTTER” book series – selling over “600 MILLION COPIES WORLDWIDE”, & translated into 84 languages, spawning a global media franchise including films & video games, with the series generating some $15 BILLION* in revenue, while her personal wealth stands at a “FILTHY ONE BILLION DOLLARS”!!!

    ONE WOMAN* – #LetThatSinkIn

    In the “BLOG” – #WhyOurBoysAreFailing can be traduced through this sociological phenomenon that has “BRAINWARPED” our youths. #AngloSaxonAmeriKKKanisms “BIRTHED” in “MAGIC”, where “HOGWARTS” (aptly titled), “HERPES RIDDLED HOGS” (HRH) find its methodological praxis in a “SCHOOL” for young “WIZARDS” & “WITCHES”, operating within a so-called “FICTIONAL”, magical world!!!

    FICTION NOW STRANGER THAN TRUTH

    The curriculum, rules, & traditions are suddenly “DEFUNCT”!!! This magical, “ARTIFICIAL MINDSET” has created a sense of isolationism among the young, separating those “DOZY BASTERDS” at Hogwarts from any “REAL WORLD” educational proficiency & as a “STATE-OWNED, STATE-FUNDED & STATE-RUN INSTITUTION” the Hogwartian governance structure has “DEEP TIES” to the “BRITISH MINISTRY OF MEDIEVAL MAGIC”!!!

    #TakeFromThatWhatYouWill

    “THE FORCES OF AI, MACHINE LEARNING & NANOTECH INVOLVE DARK MAGIC” fuelled by the #HogwartianDurmstrangSchool – a place of “DARK SPIRITS”, “BLACK & WHITE MAGIC” & “VILLANOUS WIZARDS” – all coalescing around a single theme & whose sole reason for living is the “SLAVISH CONTROL” of planet earth!!!

    TECHNOLOGY CANNOT SAVE US

    Here are [5] bibliography reasons why it can’t:

    (1) Technology is inherently poLIEtical & shaped by human values &
    power structures
    (2) Tech companies prioritize profits over people, perpetuating harm & and exploitation
    (3) Tech solutions often exacerbate existing issues rather than addressing their root causes
    (4) Technology is not a substitute for human agency & collective action
    (5) Tech’s focus on individualism & consumption perpetuates inequality & environmental degradation

    These points collectively “ALONE” posit that technology cannot drive positive change & that a more nuanced understanding of its limitations & potential is necessary to address the complex challenges facing postmodern societies!!!

    RIP UP THE DAMN RULE BOOK FOR VERY SOON THE CREATED THING WILL BECOME A CREATURE MOST WILL HAVE 2 SERVE – WILLINGLY OR BY FORCE OF ARMS!!!

    #AllIsVanity
    #TheWorldIsAdrift
    #WhatHappen2Simplicity

  5. David Avatar
    David

    Interested parties want to know if the government claims to know the “hack” was limited to BRA data and the hacker claims to have something like 230 GB of data to sell…shouldn’t the government’s cyber-security teams if worth their salt, should have noticed a huge increase in egress traffic? Are there humans or Bots monitoring the logs and the graphs or are they simply asleep at the wheel?

  6. David Avatar
    David

    @TB

    There is no silver bullet to deal with the vicissitudes of life. History is replete with examples of man using technology to advance our way of life. It use to take weeks to sale from the Caribbean to Blighty country. It takes hours these days. We are free to debate if advancement in the use of technology has added value to our lives, a moot point to be sure.

  7. Cuhdear Bajan Avatar
    Cuhdear Bajan

    Billionaires won’t save us, because simply billionaires love their money more than they love us.

  8. Chris Halsall Avatar
    Chris Halsall

    To put it on the table…

    I am *very* interested in the alledged cyber compromise. Is this real? Exactly what was downloaded from a compromized system?

    How could anyone resposible for this network not notice GB of traffic? Are Humans watching the traffic graphs?

    IMHO, AI is raised by those who don’t know what they are doing.

  9. Pachamama Avatar
    Pachamama

    People who talk about technological adoption are essentially talking about the consumption of other people’s production as soon as it reaches the market.

    Dey talking about a rush to acquire as soon as possible after release. Not only one edition but the next and the next ad infinitum.

    Even within the unknown, the future, to the extent there is one, not a boy thinks about bending such in the image of a Bajan.

    Produce or perish!

  10. David Avatar
    David

    @Chris

    Unfortunately as intelligent and educated Barbadians are promoted to be these kinds of issues
    prove to be a reach for many.

  11. Roslyn Avatar
    Roslyn

    It puzzles me why some Bajans believe that adopting technological options will lead to job losses & that banks weak cyber security will compromise their accounts. Meanwhile automated banks keep users waiting in their hall as their split system requires hard copies that must be filled out in writing by bank rep before signing ny customer which makes the wait for completing a transaction as long or longer than the manual days. Barbados is an alternative reality. Would suggest major businesses using the technologies embark on a staggered customer awareness program

  12. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    People who talk about technological adoption are essentially talking about the consumption of other people’s production as soon as it reaches the market.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    What an incisive observation by Pacha…

    A clear sign of mendicancy if ever there was one, and an OBVIOUS subservience and deferral to external domination.

    Moreover..
    When we actually EDDYKATE our children to conform to this warped reality, we get the “Brassbados” that we have.

    “Produce or perish!”

    There is thus NO production, just speculation, and so we perish..

    What blindness

  13. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    There is merit in the view we are a society of takers, we do not net produce BUT there is an element that is tied to being compliant with international standards and best practices if we want to function efficiently in a global economy. There must be a happy balance.

  14. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    @ David
    There is absolutely nothing wrong with compliance with international standards.
    Indeed, the aim SHOULD BE to exceed such basic standards.
    We should be SETTING some standards…. in tourism / sugar / environment, for example.

    The challenge is one of VISIONARY leadership that values INNOVATION, CREATIVITY and INDEPENDENCE of thought.

    Mendicants, whose ONLY focus is getting their paws on easy $$$$ usually end up as simple prostitutes, or at best call dates, since such $$$$ usually come with strings attached.

    As Pacha alludes, if you think so LITTLE of yourself (Bajan) then you tend to bend over easily to the whims of others.
    Our ‘mirror image’ is warped….

  15. David Avatar
    David

    Agree with this comment Bush Tea which departs somewhat from the earlier comment rubbishing technology.

  16. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    Rubbishing technology..?
    LOL
    Bushie???
    ha ha ha
    You mean rubbishing BLINDLY COPYING ALBINO-CENTRIC leadership…?

    …anyway Bushie has some commitments… 🙂

  17. Bajeabroad Avatar
    Bajeabroad

    What is interesting and I would argue is the common root across all of the problems plaguing Barbados, which including the lack of technology adoption. Is quite simply we have no purposeful, national Bajan identity. So basically we do not know who we are in this world. Without that national identity and purpose, anything goes and everyone does as they like as there is no mission, no plan, no common purpose to get anywhere.

    So we are easily ruled and lead to accept any and every external whim and fancy. And lack standards. The lack of a national identity and purpose is a sad thing to watch indeed. And yes our political leaders own the responsibility to define and set the tone as they control the funds that turn vision into action. Contrast that to a Jamaican or American who always know who they are, dumb or not (albeit also lacking in some purpose and losing their way these days as well)

    To go somewhere or achieve anything it starts with a clear vision and purpose. What is ours?

  18. Hants Avatar
    Hants

    good stuff.

    https://nationnews.com/2024/10/12/cabinet-approves-national-qualifications-framework-and-accreditation-authority/

  19. GreenMonkey Avatar
    GreenMonkey

    From Forbes:
    Internet History Hacked, Wayback Machine Down—31 Million Passwords Stolen

    Story updated Oct. 11 with additional expert comment regarding the DDoS attack on the Wayback Machine and the security resources that have helped limit the damage.

    Hackers have compromised the Internet’s past, the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, stealing 31 million passwords and launching a massive Distributed Denial of Service attack in the process. It is unclear if the two security incidents, the compromise of the Internet Archive’s authentication database containing registered member details, including hashed passwords, and the denial of service attack, are related. However, the evidence does seem to be pointing in the direction of this being a targeted attack by the same threat actor.

    More: https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveywinder/2024/10/10/internet-hacked-wayback-machine-down-31-million-passwords-stolen/

  20. David Avatar
    David

    BCCI President Warns Of Long-term Business Impacts Following Cyberattack On Barbados Revenue Authority

    https://radiojamaicanewsonline.com/regional/bcci-president-warns-of-long-term-business-impacts-following-cyberattack-on-barbados-revenue-authority

  21. 555dubstreet Avatar
    555dubstreet

    The local data has become a global data area with this god damn technology.

    White Spy HQ
    Them Yanks say you can never trust them Chinky networks and technologies as they have inside knowledge involved in stereotypical and comical espionage activities.

  22. David Avatar
    David

  23. GreenMonkey Avatar
    GreenMonkey

    Unfortunately Technology will inevitably be used to impose and enforce Technocracy, given the state of the world as it is.

    What Is Technocracy? A Scientific Dictatorship Nightmare!

    If technocracy wins this battle and they implement it on a global basis, it will again take hundreds of years before the concept of freedom and liberty will resurface again. It will take a very long time; it won’t just come snapping back, it will not be a fade. Once they get control over the economic mechanism, they will virtually have control over life itself. They will make people of the world dance like puppets on a string. — Technocracy News & Trends Editor Patrick Wood.

    In this presentation about COVID-19, Dr. Lee Merritt, influenced by Patrick Wood’s writings on technocracy, shared the etymology:

    Techn = skill Krat = kratos (divine personification of power)

    She summed up technocracy: Data gathered on everybody in the world and fed to un-elected officials, who are smarter than everybody, and will use the information to create amazing solutions. It boils down to “power via differential knowledge,” meaning if you have knowledge that only a select few have, you can lord it over the majority of people.

    The Internet and Total Surveillance
    Once the possibility of a total surveillance state materialized with the inception of the Internet, technocracy became the crown jewel in the Cabal’s totalitarian New World Order agenda.

    The timeline is speeding up. Their dreams of ruling the world are veering toward a terrifying reality with artificial intelligence, propaganda in everybody’s pocket, and a bazillion data points on every man, woman, and child on Earth.

    Patrick Wood, the OG of technocracy research, said once we reach a scientific dictatorship society … “liberty will be a historic curiosity.”

    The Evil Twins of Technocracy and Transhumanism
    In order to achieve this goal, the technocrats developed mass surveillance, which has only been possible in the modern age with the Internet. This is their time to act.

    Smart meters on houses monitor how much energy you consume.

    Credit card transactions track consumer behavior and move people away from hard currency.

    Social media fills out the dossier with beliefs, names of friends and family, images, and much more.

    The Affordable Care Act digitizes your medical history.

    Smart gadgets—Fitbit, Oura Ring, etc.—pass all of your vital stats to central repositories.

    Smartphones track where you are, what you’re doing (they can listen in), and what information you’re consuming and entertainment you are consuming.

    The Internet of Things (IoT) adds more daily data. What’s in your fridge? What do you watch on TV? And even more nefarious, there are credible reports detailing how they can watch us through our TVs.

    Facial recognition software and cameras monitor every square inch of public space.

    Virtual assistants like Alexa monitor your every word and train people to be useless (“please machine, turn on that light … I cannot do it myself”).

    Public school jams cultural Marxism down the throat of every child, while Common Core collects 400 pieces of data on every child, which is on their record for life

    More:
    https://activistpost.com/2024/10/what-is-technocracy-a-scientific-dictatorship-nightmare.html

  24. David Avatar
    David

    Caddle confirms cyber breach

    Minister of Industry, Innovation, Science and Technology Marsha Caddle yesterday confirmed that a research department is the latest source of a cyber incident.

    Reports reaching the Weekend Nation indicated that the incident at the Barbados Statistical Service occurred yesterday.

    When contacted, Caddle said the affected system was taken offline as officials gather evidence.

    “More will be shared as investigations continue,” she said.

    In recent weeks the Barbados Revenue Authority also reported a cyber breach while in 2022, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital was al

    Source: Nation

  25. Bush Tea Avatar
    Bush Tea

    So when we decided to publicly take sides in the elephant games between the West and the East… are you telling Bushie that such consequences were NOT factored in to the equation?

    This was not all discussed with the various agencies to evaluate the potential fall-out and possible kick backs??? … BEFORE the lotta big talk??

    Were these then just emotional decisions taken on the spur of the moment by persons seeking to impress one side of the elephant fight…?

    When you add this to the simple-minded approach taken to our ‘digitation’ thrust – which is basically to adopt the generic google / Microsoft systems and upload citizen’s information, it is clear that our ‘experts’ are the least among the apostles…and the Caddle woman looks the part of clueless.

    Our donkeys are clearly grass.

    As Bushie ALWAYS said…
    We live in a complex world where it is best to be ‘as wise as a serpant and as harmless as a dove’. It also makes a lotta sense to keep your donkey shut, and to punch within your featherweight class…or BELOW.

    The amazing similarities in which the leaders of the most powerful shiite country on Earth, and the most blessed and powerless shiite country on Earth, seem to be bent on self destruction is too biblical to be ignored.

    What a world.
    What a time.

  26. David Avatar
    David

    @Bush Tea

    There are too many things the average man in the street is blissfully unaware. The blogmaster is tired to be honest.

  27. The OG Avatar
    The OG

    ‘When you add this to the simple-minded approach taken to our ‘digitation’ thrust – which is basically to adopt the generic google / Microsoft systems and upload citizen’s information, it is clear that our ‘experts’ are the least among the apostles…and the Caddle woman looks the part of clueless.”

    I have listened to some of what is being said about AI. Some sees it as the answer to everything going on in Barbados. Some sees it as a space where Barbados can become dominant. But like other technology, I suspect the most we will get is a ‘cut and paste’.

    What became of the cybersecurity training that was being given to a number of Bajans?
    https://gisbarbados.gov.bb/blog/barbadians-to-train-work-in-cybersecurity/
    Can BRA and other government agencies make use of these graduates?

  28. David Avatar
    David

    https://youtu.be/5918kOgna-Y

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