Student innovators were encouraged to find solutions to Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery efforts at the launch of TechStage last Friday (March 6).

TechStage, an initiative launched at the United States Embassy in Kingston, aims to put artificial intelligence in the hands of Kingston-based high school students so they can create technological solutions for real-life problems in the creative industries, tourism, agriculture, and technology services.

Some 120 students, aged 15 to 18, from Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha), Kingston High, Pembroke Hall High, and St George’s College will participate in the programme, which culminates on June 12 in a national innovation showcase.

Over the next 12 weeks, the students will receive training in AI literacy, data analytics, entrepreneurship, presentation and communication.

In his welcome remarks at the launch, US Embassy public affairs attaché Mike LaVallee quoted the well-known Mahatma Gandhi phrase, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

While noting that TechStage combines the power of technology and the power of youth to lead change, he charged the students in attendance to “think about what you’re learning to change Jamaica.”

“I hope you leave today empowered to change your communities,” LeVallee added.

The public affairs attaché commended Young Leaders of American Initiative alumni Godiva Golding, CEO of STEAMHouse Network Limited, and Tishauna Mullings, founder of Nexx Stepp Training and Social Impact Consulting, for spearheading the programme. He added that the Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Unit at the embassy funds grant programmes like TechStage.

The programme has received funding from the US Alumni Engagement innovation and forms part of the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

For Charge d’Affaires Scott Renner, he expressed joy seeing the number of young women involved in the technology programme. Like his colleague, he encouraged the students to be solutions-oriented.

On this note, he quoted Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs, who said, “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity—not a threat.”

For Renner, innovation is more than just the technology; it is about people.

“It’s about you guys…coming up with ideas that address real-world problems that are out there that people are saying, ‘We need a solution for this,’” he shared, adding that he looks forward to what the students will ideate.

Along with the United States Embassy, TechStage has garnered the support of Google, Smart Term, StarApple AI, and the Ministry of Education.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, senior education officer Dr Lennox Rowe highlighted that the TechStage programme is aligned with the ministry’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) priorities. He revealed further that the ministry has also appointed a STEAM coordinator to ensure that the learning methodology is promoted in every high school.

Principal of Kingston High, Jermaine Loutin, gave his commitment to support and promote the programme as best as possible at the school.

Providing an overview of the programme, co-lead programme manager Godiva Golding outlined that leading up to June, students will engage in virtual labs and in-house labs as they test and develop innovations.

Additionally, Golding encouraged the students to ask questions like, “What is something I can make more convenient? What is something I can improve upon?

“When we ask the right questions, we create the right solutions,” she continued.

Beyond learning about artificial intelligence, the students will also engage in learning about business and entrepreneurship. Founder of StarApple AI Adrian Dunkley and CEO of ChatFlow AI Michael Mullings will serve as mentors to some students.

St George’s College educator Shanique Reid, who endorsed Tech Stage, recommended that students should have the right mindset while participating in the programme.

“The way we think about challenges determines how we respond to them,” she said.

Reflecting on her years at the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, while participating in the DBJ’s Business Model Competition, she said she had to ask herself questions that guided her ideation. These include:

·       What can I do and why do I really want to do this?

·       Who is my audience, and what do they think of my solution?

·       What are the resources I need and how do I get them?

Jamaican Larkland Morley, representing Google virtually during a panel discussion, advised students to think big, embrace learning new things, and keep mentors close.

Tishauna Mullings, who moderated the event, impressed upon students the need to prepare themselves for partnerships, internships, and scholarships.