ICT Pulse Podcast

Cryptocurrencies and the wider crypto space have been receiving considerable attention due to the recent downturn in the market and the collapse of many crypto businesses. In this episode, we go back to basics with George Connolly, of OneLedger Technology Inc., Bitcoin enthusiast and serial Internet entrepreneur, Rohan Smith and guest cohost, Matthew Cowen, and discussed, among other things:  Is t...

In our November 2022 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Amit Uttamchandani, of CaribbeanSignal.com, and Internet Service Provider and Network Infrastructure Professional, Brent Mc Intosh, the panel discusses: Automation software and the threats and opportunities for the region; and Building and developing the Caribbean's Critical Internet Infrastructure: one IXP at a...

Although just five years old, Caribbean payment service provider, WiPay, has expanded its operations considerably across the Caribbean region, and into the US and Africa. In our third conversation with WiPay CEO, Aldwyn Wayne, he discusses some of the recent developments in the WiPay ecosystem, along with: how the newly launched Volt network works; why is WiPay establishing its own bank; what he s...

Although data is considered a valuable resource for organisations, its value comes from the insights and intelligence that can be produced once it is collated, processed and analysed.  Information Management professional, Liselle Ramcharan-Briscoe, discusses among other things: the types of data that could benefit from a data warehousing solution; when an organisation should consider moving to a d...

The concept of an open and equal internet for everyone, known as network (or net) neutrality, has been a topic of longstanding debate. But recently, it has been reported that South Korea and the European Union, in particular, are on the verge of striking down net neutrality, which is likely to cause other countries to revisit their stance on the issue. Former telecoms/ICT regulator, Embert Charles...

Without a doubt, Caribbean countries are going digital. But it is unclear how much progress has been made and where there are still gaps that need to be filled. USAID recently published the results of a digital ecosystem study it conducted across 11 Caribbean countries. We speak with researchers, Chelceé Brathwaite and Matthew Cowen, and USAID regional head, Mansfield Blackwood, on the study's fin...

In our October 2022 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Miguel Adwin, of Fimi Markets Inc. in the United States, and IT expert, Garfield Gordon, the panel discusses: how Caribbean tech can leverage the AfriCaribbean link; and a quick recap of the "forced" (digital) transformation of the past 30 months.   The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentione...

Continuing our exploration of fintech in the Caribbean region, we speak with Davinia Bain, of Crypto Isle in The Bahamas. In our conversation, Davinia shares: what has been happening in the fintech and digital assets space in The Bahamas; her thoughts on the prospect of The Bahamas being blacklisted by the European Union; Crypto Isle's expansion plans in the region; and details on the Crypto Isle...

To some degree, the CARICOM Single ICT Space has been gaining some traction, as it moves to accelerate the activities outlined in the vision and roadmap for this important regional initiative. In this episode, and with a guest co-host, Gerard Best, we are joined, once again, by Jennifer Britton, of the CARICOM Secretariat, to share with us the latest achievements and developments, along with key c...

In our September 2022 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Samantha Sheoprashad, of Trifinity Solutions in Guyana, and Steven Williams, of Sunisle Technology Solution in Barbados, the panel discusses:   gender inequality for women in the Caribbean tech industry; and the potential impact of data privacy in the Caribbean.   The episode, show notes and links to some of th...

Artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics are two of the fastest growing areas in tech, and they are transforming how we live and work. AI and robotics entrepreneur and enthusiast, Matthew Stone, discusses, among other things: how AI and robotics are replacing current roles in the job market, whilst also opening up new opportunities; the skills and jobs that are currently in demand, and how Caribb...

Regular meet-ups and get-togethers are at the core of tech communities worldwide, but they can be a challenge to maintain and sustain over the long term. Often, they lose their momentum and their vibrant participation, and may just limp along to an inevitable end. In this podcast episode, we speak with Ingrid Riley, the Founder of Kingston BETA, a tech start-up community event that has been around...

Regulatory technology (or regtech) is expected to be worth over USD 87 billion by 2028, but it is an underdeveloped fintech segment in the Caribbean region. Regtech expert, Jennifer Potter, gives us a primer on regtech, and discusses, among other things:   the other industries, besides banking and financial services, in which regtech can be applied;  how regtech can improve the customer experience...

The Commonwealth of Dominica, like many Caribbean countries, is giving more attention to developing its digital economy. However, unlike some countries, it has established a dedicated unit within the Government to focus on this area. Robert Tonge,   the Coordinator of the Digital Economy of Dominica, joins us in this episode to discuss, among other things:  What Dominica envisages as its digital e...

The Commonwealth of Dominica, like many Caribbean countries, is giving more attention to developing its digital economy. However, unlike some countries, it has established a dedicated unit within the Government to focus on this area. Robert Tonge, the Coordinator of the Digital Economy of Dominica, joins us in this episode to discuss, among other things:  What Dominica envisages as its digital eco...

In our August 2022 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Dr Denise Charles and Gerard Best, the panel discusses: parenting digital natives; and digital literacy and an emerging Caribbean digital culture: threat or promise?   The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the  ICT Pulse Podcast Page  ( www.ict-pulse.c...

This August, at least three Internet Governance-related events are taking place in the Caribbean region: the 18th Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (CIGF), the Caribbean Youth IGF (CYIGF) Workshop, and the very first Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Internet Governance Forum (IGF). We speak with Maureen Hilyard, co-Chair of the Dynamic Coalition of Small Island States in the Internet Econom...

Ensuring that we have a digitally-skilled population should be a top priority for the Caribbean region, as it is an area that requires comprehensive and long-term planning in order to realise measurable and meaningful improvement. Barbara Reynolds (PhD) and Carlton Samuels, the Co-Chairs of the CARICOM Digital Skills Taskforce discuss, among other things, the work of the Taskforce, some of the cha...

Decentralised autonomous organisations or DAOs are one of the faster-growing segments of the blockchain space. Donald O'Brian Porter, the Founder of the recently launched Carib DAO explains, among other things, how DAOs work; the products or services Carib DAO will be bringing to market; the ways in which an individual can verify the authenticity of the DAO; and three (3) questions someone should...

In our July 2022 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Ian Mitchell and Vivion Scully, the panel discusses: What do we need to be ready for e-commerce in the OECS? And in what ways has the BPO sector contributed to Jamaica's economy?   The episode, show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found on the  ICT Pulse Podcast Page  ( www....

In May 2022, FramePerfect, a team of University of Guyana graduates, won the coveted 5G for Change Webby Award. Malik and Shomari Williams of FramePerfect join us to discuss: their Webby 5G for Change Hackathon experience; what are some takeaways from participating in the hackathon; and what Caribbean countries can do to better foster and support tech innovation.   The episode, show notes and link...

Across the Caribbean region, considerable attention is being paid to financial inclusion and fintech, with digital identity (ID) taking a back seat. However, it has been argued in some quarters that digital IDs are a foundation element in countries' digital transformation and fintech efforts. Trevor Forrest, of 876 Solutions, sheds some light on digital IDs, including: Why is it becoming increasin...

Electronic sports (esports) is a growing and potentially lucrative segment of the video games industry with relatively few players in the Caribbean region. Dexton Graham, the Lead Tournament Organiser of the Jamaica eSports Initiative and the Founder of Electronic Sports Jamaica discusses: how big esports is in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean; key challenges Caribbean gamers and esports enthusiast...

With the upsurge in cyber incidents and breaches, increasingly, organisations are considering whether they need cyber insurance. Max Pragnell, of Gallagher Insurance Brokers, discusses the good, the bad and everything in between on cyber insurance including:   When is cyber insurance a good idea? What kind of coverage is usually offered? What are the typical requirements to secure coverage? Which...

In our June 2022 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Lateefah Smellie and Dr Lyndell St, Ville, the panel discusses: Tech communities, a potent vehicle for developing tech talent in the Caribbean; and Silicon island, creating and coordinating the right environment to nurture a technology culture for the Caribbean.    The episode, show notes and links to some of the th...