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Senator Blackman: AI A Major Player In Film Industry

Minister in Economic Affairs and Investment, Senator Chad Blackman, is encouraging all prospective film makers to grasp the opportunities that will transform the industry through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

Senator Blackman made the suggestion today while delivering the keynote address at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) three-day workshop, under the theme: Building Resilience through South-South Cooperation and Targeted Policy Strategies, at the Accra Beach Resort and Spa.

He shared the example of film maker Tyler Perry who halted his plans to invest USD 800 million to expand his film production company because “film makers can now create first-class, world-class movies through artificial intelligence”.

Mr. Blackman reasoned that this showed that there was a shift in the film production market and encouraged Barbadians to use AI technology to tell their own stories.

“What he (Tyler Perry) has realised is that there is a major restructuring in the market vis-a-vis, AI. Whatever you can think about, you can now create. You do not have to go through necessarily a big production company, taking millions of dollars to produce a film. You just need the tools and being able to conceive [the idea]. Therefore, it calls for greater imagination of what the sector looks like, telling our stories and [looking for ways] to get our stories across different markets.

“What that will do invariably is to create a demand for Barbadian goods…. We have a history of being world-class in terms of sports and music…. There is nothing stopping Barbados from positioning itself through movies, films, and sitcoms, and being seen as a country that offers solutions that are backed by research and development,” he proffered.

Given this new technological revolution, the Minister suggested that the traditional way of thinking must “go through the door”, adding that AI presented tremendous opportunities, and he called for a greater understanding of the change needed to effect this.

“We must not be wedded to think that yes, once studying computer science is critical and programming is critical…you now have tools that allow you to not become a programmer but to become a conceiver of ideas to use the necessary programmes to create what you need…

“The point I am making is this…where is the world going and how do we reposition Barbados through our educational system, through our business and private sector, and exposing our people and young people to a new reality?” Senator Blackman queried.

During the opening session, there were also speeches from UNCTAD’s Director of the Division on Globalization and Development Strategies, Richard Kozul-Wright; Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Professor Clive Landis; and Chinese Ambassador to Barbados, Yan Xiusheng.

The workshop, which concludes today Thursday, February 29, is organised by the Government of Barbados, UNCTAD, and The UWI, and funded by China Aid for Shared Future. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Principal and Pro Vice Chancellor at The UWI, Professor Clive Landis (right) making a point to Minister in Economic Affairs and Investment, Senator Chad Blackman (second from left), while Economic Affairs Officer in the Division on Globalization and Development Strategies at UNCTAD, Dawei Wang (left), and Chinese Ambassador, Yan Xiusheng, look on

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SPECIAL POLLING DAY NOTICE

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FundAccess To Host Legal Clinic Workshop from May 13th

Entrepreneurs will soon get another opportunity to learn about critical legal matters that are key to the operation of their businesses.

FundAccess will be hosting The Legal Clinic Workshop, which will commence on Tuesday, May 13, and continue each Tuesday, until May 27, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The workshop will be facilitated by Attorney-at-law Ondene Kirton and participants will discuss Understanding Business Legal Structures; Contracts & Agreements; Employment Law & Compliance; and Examination of the Various Laws Relating to Small Business.

During those sessions, the participants will be exposed to sole proprietorship, partnerships, corporations – pro and cons; how to choose the right legal structure for a business; the importance of contracts in business operations; avoiding common contract pitfalls; and employee rights & employer responsibilities, among others. Some of the pieces of legislation to be examined include the Employment Rights Act and National Insurance and Social Security Act.

Interested persons may attend the workshop in person at FundAccess’ Pinfold Street, Bridgetown location, or online via the Zoom Platform. To register, click on the following link: https://bit.ly/3Fu09Jv.

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Centenarian Built On Firm Foundation Set By Grandmother

“Trust God first” is the mantra of one of Barbados’ newest centenarians, Athelstan Browne, who celebrated his 100th birthday on April 29, 2025, at his home in Montrose, Christ Church, surrounded by family and friends.

One of his specially invited guests was President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason.

Mr. Browne shared that he grew up “not knowing a mummy” as his mother passed away at age 23, when he was two years old, and his brother was only one year old.

Crediting his grandmother for his upbringing, Mr. Brown remarked: “I had a real good, good grandmother that raised two of us, and everything we learn before we went to school, she taught us.”

Pointing to a humble yet deeply religious upbringing, Mr. Browne said: “I and my brother slept on the floor. Our grandmother spread things down there, and she just put the pillow under our head.”

He recalled that they had to sing the hymn “Under the Blood” before going to bed, and first thing in the morning before they had breakfast, which usually consisted of “a cup of tea and two biscuits”. Adding that the hymn was “our song”, Mr. Browne sang the hymn from memory.

Stressing that his grandmother was a great provider, he noted: “My grandmother had land, and she would work the land…. We would eat raw potato, raw okras, (green) peas, cucumbers…. The only thing we did not eat was raw yams and eddoes.”

Mr. Browne continues to enjoy his ground provisions “with a little rice”, as he likes his rice with green peas, and if available, chicken boiled with the rice. “I am a fish man,” he remarked, eating it either fried or with a “stew sauce”.

Continuing to nurture his Christian beliefs, he joined the Mount Ararat United Holy Church (currently in Dayrell’s Road, Christ Church) in 1967, at age 33, and has continued there ever since.

Once the Superintendent of the Sunday School at the church, Mr. Browne is still instrumental in providing leadership to the youth there. “I have a crowd of young people at church that love me…especially when I have to talk to them…. It is what they should hear and what they should have,” he said.

The centenarian was raised in Montrose, Christ Church, and attended the Christ Church Boys’ School (now Milton Lynch Primary School). After leaving school, Mr. Browne initially took to agriculture but then worked cutting soft stone in two quarries in Christ Church.

In 1947, at the age of 22, he decided to join the US Farm Labour Programme and took the first Pan American Airlines flight out of Barbados. Over 10 years later, Mr. Browne returned to Barbados and married Monica Browne (deceased). Together, they built the house where he currently resides.

Returning to his roots in agriculture, the centenarian worked at the Ridge Plantation, Christ Church, until retirement. He also planted and reaped ground produce at home, as well as planted and cut canes.

Mr. Browne, who is generally in good health and has a sharp memory, still works around the home and enjoys reading, which he does without glasses. He also keeps in touch with his family in New York and North Carolina, and will do some travelling, but he is always ready to return home.

After toasting the centenarian, Her Excellency remarked: “You are in the midst of a lot of love, and I am sure you are going to enjoy the rest of your birthday. I am really happy to have met you. I am grateful for the work that you still continue to do with our young people because a lot of them lack direction, and we, nowadays, don’t take enough time to sit down and speak with them…. We don’t remind them that they are important, that they are somebody.”

Mr. Browne responded: “You got to make them understand what … the Lord expects of them… We have to acknowledge the Lord.”

Mr. Browne has two children, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, Her Excellency, The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason, and Barbados’ newest centenarian Athelstan Browne take a walk outside during his birthday celebrations in Montrose, Christ Church