The seemingly unstoppable rise of “big data” and Artificial Intelligence is reshaping and destabilising the global economy. But where do small islands fit into this? Could digital technologies like AI level the playing field, or do they represent a new form of technocolonialism? Can Small Island Developing States (SIDS) embed them quickly enough to benefit from new economic opportunities, or are they likely to be left further behind?

In this episode, Emily and Matt speak to a number of experts grappling with these kinds of questions. In our "Island Voices" segment Kunal Singh from Fiji talks about the impact of AI on climate finance. We then break down the issue with Preeya Mohan from Trinidad and Courtney Lindsay from Jamaica in our “Explainer”. Next, in the “Big Picture” we speak to Külli Sarapuu, from Estonia, and Donald Baldeosingh from Trinidad, two people who are grappling with the public policy implications of digitalisation. Finally, in “No Stupid Questions”, Emily and Matt ask whether the risks of AI are overstated by critics.

Featuring:

• Emily Wilkinson (host) | RESI Director and Principal Research Fellow at ODI Global
• Matthew Bishop (host) | RESI Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of Sheffield
• Kunal Singh | Climate Finance Access Network (CFAN) Advisor, Pacific Community (SPC)
• Preeya Mohan | Senior Fellow, Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, University of the West Indies
• Courtney Lindsay | RESI Director and Senior Research Officer, ODI Global
• Külli Sarapuu | Associate Professor, Tallinn University of Technology
• Donald Baldeosingh | Founder, Carbon Zero Institute of Trinidad and Tobago

Resources:

• Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)
• Kunal’s LinkedIn page| Kunal Singh
• Preeya and Courtney’s report | Engines of Growth: Building Knowledge Economies in SIDS
• Another blog they wrote with Emily | Why SIDS need to act quickly on AI
• Preeya’s university webpage | Dr Preeya Mohan
• Donald’s CZITT webpage | Carbon Zero Institute of T&T
• Külli’s university webpage | Dr Külli Sarapuu
• An important UN report | Small Island Digital States

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