Excelsior Community College (ECC), in partnership with AI Owl (USA), and Hocking College (USA), will host the Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026, a premier international event scheduled for May 20–21, 2026, at its Kingston campus.

Under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence: Breaking New Frontiers – Demystifying AI Technologies to Enhance Productivity”. The conference will bring together educators, policymakers, industry leaders, business professionals, and technology experts to explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence.

Conference Highlights:

Participants will engage with a distinguished lineup of local and international speakers, including:

• Global Industry & Workforce Experts – Including Applied AI and Workforce Strategists (formerly of Intel; Jobs for the Future)
• Academic and Workforce Leaders – Experts from Hocking College and AI Owl
• AI Innovation Showcase – Demonstration of Excelsior Community College’s AI Lab, developed with support from the Government of Canada
• Driving AI Adoption Across Education, Business, and Industry: The conference is designed to move beyond theory and provide practical, real-world insights into how artificial intelligence can be effectively integrated across:
• Education systems and institutions
• Business operations and organisational productivity
• Workforce development and reskilling initiatives

It will also address critical areas such as policy development, data protection, ethical considerations, and institutional readiness, ensuring that both public and private sector stakeholders are equipped to adopt and scale AI solutions. “This conference represents a significant milestone not only for Jamaica’s tertiary education sector, but also for national workforce development and business innovation,” said  Dr.  Philmore McCarthy, Principal of Excelsior Community College.

“We are proud to collaborate with our international partners to bring world-class expertise to Jamaica, equipping our educators, students, and industry professionals with the knowledge and tools required to compete in a rapidly evolving digital economy.

Target Audience – The conference is expected to attract:

• Educators and academic leaders
• Government and policy stakeholders
• Business leaders and industry professionals
• Entrepreneurs and innovators
• Students and emerging technology practitioners