While the rest of the world is investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Caribbean is still talking about it.
This is according to the Youth Opposition Leader, Bryanna Atwell, speaking during debate on a policy to integrate AI into the Education Curriculum at the 21st National Youth Parliament.
No punches were held back during the debate as the Youth Attorney General, Aaliyah Millet Warner, described the Youth Opposition’s Motion to integrate AI into the education system as a “premature and short-sighted” one.
But the Youth Opposition Leader, Bryanna Atwell, called on the creation of T&T’s own CHATGPT in CHAT TT, noting that integrating AI into the classroom would be beneficial.
“The Opposition has brought this Motion forward, for if this was a Government Motion I think the response would be more reciprocal because I think you’re opposing for opposing sake.”
The Mock Parliament brought students from various schools across the country to experience a day in the life of the Parliament as a politician.
Youth Minister of Education, Sohiela Makoul, though said Government must proceed with caution.
“I see the Opposition is enthusiastic about its implementation but I urged us to proceed with caution. The Government has been working and taking the necessary steps towards equity.”
Youth Opposition Member for Moruga/Tableland, Jude Charles, defended their stance for the implementation of AI in schools.
“We are not calling for the over reliance of AI, we are instead calling for the responsible use of AI in the education system in order to adjust to the changing workforce.”
The Youth Prime Minister, Jayden Francis Mitchell, chastised the other side for bringing a “half baked” idea to the House.
“Mr. Speaker, we sat here for hours and hours, Opposition bringing a Motion which they are so proud of, but yet still they continuously speak about a framework that they would like to implement and show the House. But where is the framework?”
The Youth Opposition Member for Couva South, Myah Lamont-Harper, noted that the idea was well thought out.
“Now the Government bench might wonder why we would follow something from a First World country that has way more resources than we do. But Mr. Speaker, if a country has been successful in implementing something and we want this country to be successful, shouldn’t we take inspiration from them?”
But in the end both Youth Government and Opposition did not sway from their positions – the Motion failed to proceed with 17 For, and 22 Against.