On 1 April 2026, Jamaica made a remarkable advancement in promoting ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) governance through the official launch of the UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) for Jamaica.
UNESCO Kingston16 April 2026Last update:4 May 2026
On 1 April 2026, Jamaica made a remarkable advancement in promoting ethical and inclusive artificial intelligence (AI) governance through the official launch of the UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) for Jamaica, with support from the European Union.
The RAM tells us where we are strong, where we are exposed, and where we must act on skills and data.
Christopher Reckord, Chairman of the National AI Task Force
This is not only a national milestone but a beacon for the region at large, and a statement that the future of AI will be shaped by ethics, responsibility and collective purpose.
Eric Falt, Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO
The event was held in the presence of the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Khaled El-Enany, the Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, and Mr. Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the European Union to Jamaica.
This takes Jamaica one step further on its journey to responsible technological advancement and innovation. It is another example of Jamaica's proactive stance in implementing its digital transformation agenda.
Aniceto Rodriguez Ruiz, Head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the EU to Jamaica
The RAM report is a rigorous evidence-based diagnostic of where Jamaica stands in the preparedness to adopt, govern and benefit from AI. And Jamaica is among the first Caribbean countries to complete a national AI readiness assessment. Jamaica chose not to wait and see. We chose to lead.
Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, Minister with responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects
This marked both the successful completion of a comprehensive national assessment and the beginning of a new phase focused on translating its findings into policy and action.
Through a multi-stakeholder process engaging close to 200 participants, Jamaica has undertaken a comprehensive analysis of its AI ecosystem across legal, social, economic, scientific, educational, technical, and infrastructural dimensions.
In 2021, UNESCO Member States adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI, as the first global framework of its kind to guide the ethical design, development, and use of AI. The Recommendation promotes a unique approach across the entire AI lifecycle and outlines key values, principles, and policy areas, alongside actions to ensure effective regulation and responsible AI governance.
To support its implementation, UNESCO developed a program focused on by strengthening national capacities and regulatory frameworks, UNESCO developed anchored by two main tools, one being the RAM, which is a diagnostic tool designed to help countries evaluate their preparedness to implement ethical AI. It combines qualitative and quantitative indicators to produce a comprehensive country report assessing existing systems, identifying gaps, and recommending institutional and policy improvements.
Building on this collaborative effort, bringing together the Government of Jamaica, UNESCO, the European Union, as well as stakeholders from academia, civil society, and the private sector, the country is now moving from assessment to implementation, advancing policies, strengthening institutions, and fostering a human-centered approach to AI that supports sustainable development and resilience.
This Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) is supported by the European Union-funded project “Supporting Member States in lmplementing UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of Al through lnnovative Tools”
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