Imagine yourself walking down the bustling streets of Grenada, surrounded by vibrant colours and the lively sounds of music. You pass by small businesses selling handmade goods, food, and crafts. But as you scroll through your social media feed, you notice something missing: the presence of these wonderful Caribbean businesses.

The digital world is changing rapidly, and artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly important role in our lives. Yet, the Caribbean region is still trying to catch up with the digital revolution.

Take Johnbro, for example, a talented jewelry designer from Grenada. He creates stunning, unique pieces and shares them on his social media pages. However, despite the attention his posts receive, his online sales remain stagnant. Why? Because, like many Caribbean businesses, Johnbro’s digital marketing strategies need to be improved.

In the Caribbean, businesses often underestimate the importance of a well-planned digital marketing strategy. Posting on social media is not enough; as a matter of fact, posting is not marketing; taking a beautiful picture or shooting a video with stunning visuals and posting it but lacking strategy behind the post will not cut it today. Additionally, businesses must invest time and resources into proper SEO, email marketing, and paid media campaigns. We have yet to fully embrace everything that the digital revolution has presented us with.
As we struggle to implement effective digital strategies, the world of AI is emerging, and it will disrupt how we do business. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT can write content, while others like Midjourney create graphics and Adobe Enhance edits audio. These technologies have the potential to replace many jobs, but they can also create new opportunities. So, while we have yet to test the limits of the opportunities that came with the social media revolution, another disruption is happening.

In countries like Grenada, the government is investing in the creative economy and encouraging people to participate in the gig economy. This is an exciting opportunity for Caribbean creatives; hopefully, more governments will follow suit. However, we must acknowledge the reality that the world is changing, and the jobs we are preparing our people for in the creative and gig economy are the same jobs being disrupted and will soon be replaced.

The Caribbean has immense potential to not only catch up with the digital revolution but also become the creator of technology. Picture a Caribbean where young entrepreneurs like Johnbro can fully monetize their social media pages, digitally transform their business model, and even create and not just consume technology.

To achieve this, we must invest in education, infrastructure, and resources that support our growth in the digital world. The Caribbean has the talent and the heart to succeed – all we need is the chance to embrace the digital revolution fully.

Together, let’s make the Caribbean a hub of innovation, creativity, and technological advancement. Let’s ensure that our vibrant streets are just as alive and thriving online as they are offline. And let’s give entrepreneurs like Johnbro the tools they need to realize their dreams.