Kingston, Jamaica — A bold warning about the future of work and education took centre stage in Jamaica last week, as the Mona School of Business and Management (MSBM), UWI, Mona convened leaders in academia and industry to confront a critical question: Is the Caribbean truly ready for the age of artificial intelligence?
At the George Willie Lecture Series, globally respected academic leader David Marchick, Dean of the Kogod School of Business at American University, delivered a compelling and urgent address, challenging local universities to fundamentally rethink how they prepare students for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven global economy. Speaking on “AI in Higher Education: Strategies for Producing AI-Ready Graduates,” Marchick made it clear that the stakes are high:
“AI is going to change everything — how we work, how we learn, how we interact. It won’t replace human talent, but those who understand AI will have a clear advantage. Our responsibility is to ensure every graduate is AI fluent, regardless of discipline.”
Generative AI is already reshaping higher education, with studies showing that more than 70% of students use tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini for coursework, revision, and research. Under Marchick’s leadership, Kogod faculty and staff developed and implemented what Poets & Quants described as “the most consequential AI transformation in business education.” His presentation underscored that AI literacy is no longer a competitive edge, it is a baseline requirement for employability and leadership.
From Optional to Essential: Rethinking How Universities Teach
Drawing on his experience leading one of the most progressive AI integrations in business education, Marchick emphasized that institutions must move beyond theory and embed AI across every area of study.
He introduced a structured, role-based model that reframes education around AI-augmented professional identities. Rather than treating AI as a standalone subject, the model demonstrates how it can be integrated across core disciplines, preparing students to operate effectively within AI-enabled environments.
Spanning leadership, entrepreneurship, marketing, finance, and advanced technology, the framework illustrates how AI enhances each domain, from enabling reflective leadership and ethical decision-making, to accelerating venture creation, strengthening creative and marketing execution, powering data-driven financial analysis, and advancing toward the design of agentic systems.
Together, this model presents a holistic approach to education, where AI becomes an embedded capability that transforms how disciplines are taught, applied, and experienced in real-world contexts. Marchick stressed that every field, from finance and marketing to the humanities — must evolve alongside AI.
Strengthening Global Partnerships for Caribbean Impact
Dr. David McBean, Executive Director of MSBM, underscored the importance of engaging with global leaders on artificial intelligence and its impact on higher education. He emphasized that these conversations are critical for preparing institutions and students to thrive in an AI-driven world.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we teach, how we learn, and how we prepare graduates for the future workforce. It is vital that we have these discussions to ensure our students are ready to lead in this new era. We extend our gratitude to George Willie for facilitating these important conversations and for his continued support in bringing distinguished voices to MSBM.”
Positioning the Caribbean for the Future of Work
With artificial intelligence already transforming industries such as healthcare, finance, public policy, and education, the George Willie Lecture Series reinforced MSBM’s role as a regional thought leader at the intersection of business, innovation, and education.
By convening global expertise and sparking critical dialogue, MSBM continues to position Jamaica and the wider Caribbean to compete, lead, and innovate in an AI-powered world.
About the George Willie Lecture Series
The MSBM/George Willie Lecture series serves as a forum for the Jamaican public to interact with and learn from some of the world's premier innovators and key international influencers. The series is meant to be a catalyst for change in thought, and expansion in the experience of Jamaican students and professionals.