NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Bahamas is ideally located in this region to become a major player in the development and growth of Artificial Intelligence (or Super Intelligence as suggested by the Hon. Donald J. Trump, President of the USA) and the expansion of Data Centers. Last week was an exciting one for the entire world with the dramas that were rolled out at the Annual United Nations General Assembly and the platforms available for leaders from around the globe to gather and discuss connected concerns and issues.
Our delegation was ably led by the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Philip ‘Brave’ Davis, KC, MP. Notable leading members of the delegation included: the Hon. McKell Bonaby (PLP-Mount Moriah), Minister of State within the Office of the PM); the Hon. Myles Laroda (PLP-Pinewood), Minister of National Security; the Hon. Zane Lightborne (PLP-Yamacraw), Minister of the Environment and the Hon. Sebas Bastian (PLP-Fort Charlotte), Minister of Innovation & Technology.
They all interacted with their counter parts and afforded them the stellar opportunity to mix & mingle on the world stage with major players in assorted industries; the banking & financial markets and, of course, immersion in the nuances of geopolitical exercises.
They all, especially the Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, acquitted themselves exceedingly well. My own MP, the Hon. Mckell Bonably stood out and, no doubt will bring home the proverbial ‘Bacon’ as it relates to Disaster Management& Relief. Critical elements during our regular hurricane seasons.
Minister Bastian got his feet wet so to speak, on the world stage. As a former Bahamian Ambassador to Central & South America, Minister Bastian would have already gained experience regionally but the recent exposure at the UN will stand he; his ministry and The Bahamas. in good stead.
The rapid development & growth of AI / SI are the wave of the future, despite the ‘fears and reservations’ held or being promoted by many. In the USA, our benefactor , so called Data Centers are being opposed in many States Some residents expressed fears over; water usage; uptick in utility and energy costs and potential noise pollution. These are all justifiable concerns but not insurmountable.
The Bahamas is blessed with having large, mostly sparsely populated Islands like Andros; Grand Bahama; Abaco; Eleuthera and, of course, over in MICAL where well designed and environmentally friendly USA , et al, Data Centers could be built while empowering the locals respectively and the nation generally. Those Islands, especially Andros have ALL of the right attributes to entice DATA CENTER developers.
Now that our delegation has returned from a very successful trip to the UN, I would urge the PM and his astute Minister of Innovation & Technology, the Hon. Sebas Bastian, to actively explore the feasibility of Data Centers in The Bahamas, starting with the great Island of Andros (where both the Minister and I hail from) as a prototype.
That we MUST diversify our economy has been long recognized by ALL of our political directorates but very little to do so has been done, in my opinion. This second consecutive Davis administration, the most progressive once since the Pindling era, along with Messrs. Bastian and Ligtborne, should seriously explore options and opportunities in these arears. To God the, in all things be the glory.
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-Ortland H. Bodie, Jr.
