Ict Pulse Podcast

Although digital transformation has been widely discussed and encouraged, there still seems to be a lot of misinformation on the subject, which affects the way organisations approach the process. Nadia Byer-Thomas, of 800 TECH, seeks to dispel key myths around digital transformation. In this episode, seven myths are tackled.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez  

Can true digital natives thrive in our traditional education system of the Caribbean? The short answer is no. The technology-based social enterprise, WE CODE CARIBBEAN, seeks to give Caribbean youth the requisite tools to be absolutely disruptive. In our conversation with WE CODE CARIBBEAN’s Founder and CEO, Safiya Olugbala, she discusses: her journey to start WE CODE CARIBBEAN; the ways in which the organisation is leveraging technology; how as an NGO WE CODE CARIBBEAN is addressing profitability/sustainability; and what she hopes the organisation will achieve.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In mid-August, Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake, which was quickly followed by a tropical depression. Buildings and infrastructure, including that for telecoms, were severely damaged, but are critical to support relief efforts. Gregory Domond, an ICT Consultant based in Haiti, and Sylvester Cadette, the Programme Officer of the ITU Area Office for the Caribbean, discuss the state of telecoms in Haiti from a local and international perspective.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

In the August 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Genelle Lake and Chad Fraser, the panel discusses: Is the Caribbean taking full advantage of the real opportunities presented by the technology revolution; and Social media and cyber security – navigating the risks.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In our second Expert Insights update for 2021, Cybersecurity Consultant, David Gittens shares his thoughts on, among other things: key trends in the current threat landscape; whether individuals or organisations should pay ransom demands;  whether cybersecurity insurance is a worthwhile investment; and three (3) questions organisations should ask when looking to hire a security expert.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

The Innovation Hub that is being established at the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), in Saint Lucia, is expected to improve the competitiveness of College graduates along with the wider economy, by transforming how education is delivered. SALCC Principal/President Dr. Keith Nurse, and Brent St Catherine, Head of the Innovation Hub and the Gateways to Global Careers Programme, discuss: this new initiative; how it has been designed; and why it is likely to achieve its objectives over the long term.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Youth, particularly those in developing countries, such in the Caribbean region, are especially vulnerable to a broad range of social ills, but in many instances, they are not properly equipped to navigate those challenges. Elizabeth Terry, Project Lead for UNUH, a mobile gaming app that is currently under development, discusses: why develop a game app directed at youth and what is the problem UNUH is trying to address; why “it takes cash to care”; and why she and her team will be playing ‘the long game’ when assessing the impact of UNUH.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

The National Transformation Initiative (NTI) in Barbados is seeking to equip every Barbadian with the knowledge, skills and values to be citizens of good character and competence in a digital world. NTI Director, Dr Allyson Leacock, shares some insights on: how the NTI was established: what it hopes to achieve; and the recent partnership between the NTI and Coursera.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In the July 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Nerissa Golden and Dr Lyndell St Ville, the panel discusses: leveraging technology to start, grow and thrive as a Caribbean entrepreneur; and united we stand: raising opportunities for collaboration to achieve success despite uncertainties.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is in the process of piloting DCash, the Central Bank Digital Currency for the countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Sharmyn Powell Chief Risk Officer of the ECCB, and Chairperson of the Bank's Fintech Working Group, which is leading the implementation of the DCash Pilot Project, discusses, among other things: DCash and some of the results of the pilot; some of the plans the Bank has for the currency in the future; and key trends that have been emerging in the OECS fintech space.    Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Gender-based violence is not only prevalent, it is also highly pervasive in many Caribbean countries. Ronelle King, Founder and Director of Life in Leggings discusses how this organisation is leveraging technology to reduce the rape culture and the occurrence of gender-based violence in the region, along with the challenges of balancing sustainability as a non-profit.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In the June 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Simone Pasmore and Ian Mitchell, the panel discusses: automation for business operations: what does it really cost; and e-commerce and local and regional trade, barriers and opportunities.    Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

If one delves beneath the surface of today’s technologies, one is likely to find that much of the products, algorithms and developments that are being integrated into our lives have been built inherently with certain biases or prejudices. Founder of dgtlfutures.com, Matthew Cowen, discusses the role technology has been playing in perpetuating bias. Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

The LGBTQ+ community worldwide still experiences considerable discrimination, but is a segment with significant spending power, which frequently, is overlooked. Donnya ‘Zi’ Piggott is the CEO of Pink Coconuts, a new LGBTQ+ travel start-up focused on creating spaces for queer travellers to thrive. In our conversation with Donnya we discuss, among other things: The challenges of launching a travel and hospitality business during a pandemic; How Pink Coconuts it is leveraging technology; along with Why it is important to focus on sustainability before the social good.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez 

Ideally, a unified Caribbean region should be better and stronger than its constituent parts. With regard to telecoms and ICT, we still in the process of establishing a seamless and harmonised regional space. In our recent conversation with Rodney Taylor, the new Secretary General of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, he shares his thoughts on, among other things: the CARICOM Single ICT Space; the efforts afoot to establish a regional regulatory machinery; and what should be the region’s priorities, with respect to telecoms and ICT.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

2020 was supposed to be an outstanding year for research and data intelligence firm, Bluedot Insights. However, by March 2020, all of the growth and performance projections came crashing down. Company CEO, Larren Peart, gives us: an update on Bluedot Insights since our first conversation in 2018; some of the challenges that were experienced, and the tough decisions that had to be made; and what might be in store for the company moving forward.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

In the May 2021 Community Chat, and with members of the Caribbean tech community, Allison James and Andrew Olton, the panel discusses: pivoting to sustainable business models; and IT risk management.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit: Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support: Mayra Bonilla Lopez

Sylvester Cadette, of the International Telecommunication Union, discusses: the Tampere Convention; why it is important for more Caribbean countries to accede to that Convention; along with the need for Caribbean countries to have more comprehensive emergency telecommunications plans.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit:  Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman Podcast editing support:  Mayra Bonilla Lopez

In our fifth instalment on social enterprises that are leveraging ICT, we speak with the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Akata Farms in Grenada, Bevon Chadel Charles. During the course of the conversation, Bevon discusses: the ways in which Akata Farms it is leveraging technology; how and why Akata farms is a social enterprise; and the challenges of being a tech social enterprise in the agriculture sector.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit:  Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman

Even more now than when we discussed it in 2019, chatbots are all the rage. Following up from our previous conversation on chatbots, Kern Elliott of iGovTT is back to tell us, among other things:   how chatbots are now being used; the biggest mistake or oversight organisations are making with chatbots; and the steps organisations should be considering to take their chatbot game to the next level.   Show notes and links to some of the things mentioned during the episode can be found at www.ict-pulse.com/category/podcast/ Do subscribe and leave us a review!   Music credit:  Red Peas and Rice, Ray Holman