The 16th Samuel Jackman Prescod Memorial Lecture, held as part of the Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology’s 55th-anniversary celebrations, featured an insightful presentation on the impact of generative AI on education and the workplace. The lecture, delivered by Dr. Glenda Gay and Mr. Terry Scantlebury, shed light on the potential applications of AI and emphasized the need for educators to embrace this transformative technology.
The lecture drew a distinguished audience, including Ms. Debra Dowridge, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT), and the Chairman of the SJPI Board of Management, Ms. Coreen Kennedy-Taitt. Principal Ian Drakes welcomed the attendees and set the stage for an engaging discourse on the role of AI in shaping the future of education and professional environments.
During the lecture, Dr. Gay delved into the influence of the movie industry on public perceptions of AI, while also underlining the significance of quality education in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education. Mr. Scantlebury highlighted the pivotal role of the Internet and predicted a similar transformative effect of AI on cognition, stressing the importance of human oversight in the use of AI tools.
The presenters also explored the potential misuse of AI and recommended a focus on upskilling and reskilling in the workforce. They underscored the importance of linking AI to education and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as its potential to enhance customer experience and operational efficiency.
The lecture concluded with a call to action for a comprehensive understanding of AI and readiness for the impending changes it will bring. The thought-provoking insights of Dr. Gay and Mr. Scantlebury left the audience contemplating the implications of AI on education and the workplace, making the 16th Samuel Jackman Prescod Memorial Lecture a truly enlightening experience for all in attendance.
Dr. Glenda Gay, is the Director of Academic Programming and Delivery (APAD) at The University of the West Indies Global Campus, and Mr. Terry Scantlebury, the Group ICT Manager at Goddard Enterprises Ltd. They presented on the topic “GENERATIVE AI: REDEFINING EDUCATION & THE WORKPLACE.