IIC Caribbean Chapter online roundtable – AI Ethics & Governance, Cyber Security, and Data Protection – Implications for the Caribbean

Bartlett Morgan, CIPP/E is a Caribbean-based attorney-at-law and consultant. He is a member
of the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP), the Information Systems Audit
and Control Association (ISACA) and the International Network of Privacy Law Professionals
(INPLP). He holds a certificate in Data Protection Officer Skills and has received training from the University of Oxford’s Said Business School on Cybersecurity Leadership.

Bartlett is experienced in the practical implementation of various privacy-related compliance
objectives. He has provided data protection and privacy support to clients with respect to their
operations in the Caribbean, the United States and South America. Bartlett has addressed privacy issues across multiple sectors including distribution, retail, financial services, fintech, tourism and digital media.

Bartlett has authored GDPR compliance guidance for Caribbean-based service providers and also made oral and written submissions to the Joint Select Committee of Parliament established to debate and report on the bill that eventually became the Barbados Data Protection Act, 2019-29. Bartlett operates his digital law and dispute resolution-focused law practice from chambers at Chancery Advocates in Barbados.

Bartlett also consults on digital-focused projects via Bloomfield, a boutique consultancy focused on data privacy and digital policy support for public and private sector clients in the Caribbean and the Americas. He regularly provides updates on digital law and policy issues impacting the Caribbean on his blog, bartlettmorgan.com.

Gerry E George has been a Commissioner with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (NTRC) of Saint Lucia for the past 6 years.

He is an ICT Consultant and had been providing technical solutions to businesses in the ICT space for over 20 years. Mr George’s background is in technology and economics. He is an active member of the Saint Lucia ICT Association (SLICTA) and the Caribbean Network Operators Group (CaribNOG) and his advice is frequently sought after by fellow colleagues on technical matters. Mr George was a part-time lecturer for the University of the West Indies Management Information Systems program for more than 7 years.

An avid supporter of Open Source software and technologies, Mr George also takes an active role in Caribbean development and social issues and is always interested in exploring ways in which technology can be applied to improving the way of life in the Caribbean region.

Janeka’s career in journalism is the latest chapter in a life characterized by a twin love of
information and storytelling.

Starting with a solid academic grounding in STEM, particularly Mathematics and Computer
Science, she drifted into the fields of Hospitality and Communications after returning home from university. Her career path might be called esoteric by some, starting with early roles in network
administration and building custom code for databases, before transitioning to junior and middle
management positions in marketing, communications, and business development roles.

Seeking greater autonomy over her work and schedule, Janeka left the corporate world to
become a small business consultant, using her varied skills to support entrepreneurs in the
realization of their business goals. In 2014, she decided to use her flexibility as a freelancer to
begin a career in “citizen journalism.” Two years later, Janeka approached a news station with
which she had briefly worked as a cub reporter with the idea of producing and hosting a weekly program – a Saint Lucian “60 Minutes”, so to speak. The intent was to provide her fellow Saint Lucians with as much “nutritious” information as she could about what was happening around
them, in what was then and still is now a polluted global communications space.

That initial outreach led to a 3-year collaboration with Choice Media Network, where Janeka
directed, produced and hosted Journalist – the weekly news journal television program she
dreamt of. She also served as the news editor for the Choice TV news team. In August 2020, Janeka accepted an offer to bring her brand of news to the regional stage, serving as the News & Technical Director for the VIC Regional News Desk. Following a restructuring exercise, Janeka was appointed in January 2023 as Editor of the main VI Consortium digital platform.

A Trinidad & Tobago native, Janeka is a proud child of the Star Apple Kingdom as described by
Sir Derek Walcott. She lives in Saint Lucia with her five year old son, who is currently bringing
equal parts joy, terror, bewilderment and hilarity into her life. In whatever free time she has left
after chauffeuring, chef, and maid service duties, she enjoys food, yoga, and the beach, in all
permutations and combinations. Janeka is proud to serve on the council of the Saint Lucia
National Trust.

Javed Sajad is a Technology Lawyer and Consultant from Trinidad and Tobago working across the Caribbean, USA, United Kingdom and European Union in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Regulation and Policy. He is certified in AI Policy and Cyber Security Incident Response. Drawing on his experience, he designs AI strategies, guardrails and policies to future-proof organizations using AI. He builds robust compliance frameworks for AI standards and creates effective regulatory landscapes that foster innovation while mitigating risks. Through the University of Oslo, Norway, he produced research into the intersection of AI sandboxes and the integration of human rights principles, shaping a promising venture for innovation, law and technology. He has been recognized as a leader in AI by the Internet registry for the Latin American and Caribbean regions (LACNIC) and is now part of the Líderes Program undertaking his research for AI in the Caribbean.

He is presently consulting with Dynamic Management Services in New Jersey, USA where he assesses privacy compliance for AI, and develop policy for the responsible and safe use of AI through the application of ethics using the standards of the OECD, NIST and UNESCO. He seeks to assist the private sector and government in applying the President of the United States executive order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of AI. Utilizing the European Union AI Act, he builds compliance mechanisms for companies doing business in the EU.

During his eight-plus-year tenure at the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs in Trinidad and Tobago as Legal Counsel, he has engineered Cybersecurity legislation and amendments to the Data Protection legislation. He has served as a technocrat member of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago Joint Select Committee for the Cybercrime Bill. Javed’s academic excellence is evident in his recent achievement of a Master of Laws from the University of Oslo, Norway. He acquired a deeper expertise in technology law where he focused on robot regulation and AI, European Union data protection (GDPR), and cybersecurity regulation.

Matthew Cowen is a seasoned expert in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) with over 30 years of experience. Having resided in the French West Indies for approximately 20 years, Matthew has dedicated this time to understanding the region from a technological perspective. Fluent in English and French, and conversant in French Creole, Matthew’s passion lies in exploring how technology shapes our world, both technically and socially.

As the founder of the boutique consulting practice dgtlfutures, Matthew has successfully worked on various projects across the Caribbean, in both English-speaking and French-speaking territories. His extensive experience is detailed in his Curriculum Vitae (attached), which lists significant projects.

Matthew also writes a newsletter called The Future is Digital, which delves into issues surrounding digital technology, its use, and its impacts in the Caribbean. The newsletter occasionally explores global topics, reflecting the inherently global nature of digital technology. Additionally, Matthew has been a regular guest on two podcasts, ICT Pulse Podcast (Caribbean) and Innovation, Agilité, et Excellence (Canada), and has discussed various tech topics on local news and radio. His goal is to help businesses understand and thrive in the digital environment.

Holding a master’s degree in Operational Management from ESSEC Business School (Paris), Matthew also possesses numerous industrial and sectorial certifications from organizations such as UNCTAD and Microsoft. He has worked with NGOs like UNESCO and USAID, as well as with individuals on business development projects in the Caribbean. Matthew is a certified trainer for adults.

Steven stands at the forefront of technological innovation and data privacy advocacy. As the Executive Director of Sunisle Technology Solutions, he spearheads strategic initiatives that leverage cutting-edge technology solutions to address complex business challenges. Parallelly, as the Principal Consultant at Data Privacy and Management Advisory Services (DPMAS), Steven champions the importance of robust data protection practices, offering expert guidance to organizations navigating the complexities of compliance and data management.

Steven is a regular contributor to the Nation’s Business Authority and the Barbados Advocate’s Business Monday, offering insights on technology trends and business strategies.

Steven is also the Creator of CyberPulse, a column with BarbadosToday that delves into business landscape and technology innovations, establishing Steven as a thought leader in the digital age.

Steven is a dedicated professional committed to leveraging technology for societal progress, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and promoting digital literacy and privacy standards. His visionary leadership and collaborative spirit continue to inspire technological and regulatory advancements, ensuring a safer, more innovative future for all.

Bio coming soon…