By KEITH ROLLE II

Walk into almost any industry today and, whether it is finance, health care, tourism and even construction, you will hear about Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some see it as the great job killer, others see it as a productivity goldmine. But one thing is clear: The future of work is being reshaped before our eyes, and The Bahamas is not immune to the shift.

The truth is, AI is not just a Silicon Valley buzzword any more. It is writing reports, analysing data, powering customer service bots, and even making hiring decisions. In some cases, it is taking over repetitive tasks that once filled our 9am-to-5pm days. This has led to understandable fears, such as “will my job disappear?, but also excitement: “What new opportunities will this create?”

Here in The Bahamas, where tourism and financial services remain the twin engines of our economy, AI is already having an impact. Hotels are using AI-powered chatbots to streamline guest experiences. Financial institutions are leveraging machine learning to flag suspicious transactions and serve customers more efficiently. Even small businesses are adopting tools that automatically generate marketing content, manage schedules or handle payroll.

AI is not just replacing jobs; it is also changing them. A hotel concierge may now need to manage digital tools alongside guest requests. A human resources officer might spend less time filing paperwork and more time interpreting analytics from an AI dashboard. Even a fisherman using AI-powered mapping tools is engaging in a new kind of digital labour.

This shift means that “future-ready” workers in The Bahamas must learn to work with AI, not compete against it. And that is where upskilling comes in.

For Bahamians to stay competitive, education and training must evolve. Traditional rote learning will not cut it in a world where adaptability and digital literacy are key. We need the public and private sectors to come together to offer affordable, relevant technology education - from coding bootcamps to AI ethics training.

Vocational institutions and universities should begin integrating AI-related courses into business, hospitality, finance and IT programmes. Imagine if the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) offered a short course on ‘AI tools for small business owners’. Or if UoB (University of The Bahamas) developed a track on ‘AI in tourism management’. This is not about turning everyone into a programmer - it is about equipping Bahamians to understand and use the tools that will define the future workplace.

Interestingly, AI could also increase employment in the long-term, especially in countries such as The Bahamas that depend on global competitiveness. Businesses that embrace AI can cut costs, operate more efficiently, and scale faster - creating new jobs in areas such as data analysis, system integration, digital marketing and remote services.

In fact, AI could help decentralise the workforce. With remote work more viable than ever, Bahamians could offer digital services to global clients without ever leaving the islands. But only if they have the right skills.

The AI revolution is not knocking; it is already in the room. The real question is not if it will change how we work, but how ready we are to adapt. For The Bahamas, this is both a challenge and a golden opportunity.

If we act now by investing in training, embracing digital transformation, and supporting local innovation we can ensure that Bahamians are not just passengers on the AI train, but conductors steering it toward a more prosperous future. Let us not wait for tomorrow to catch up. The future of work is here, and The Bahamas must be ready to meet it head-on.

• NB: About Keith

Keith Roye II is a highly analytic and solutions-driven professional with extensive experience in software development. He holds a BSc in computer science and his career includes leading and delivering global software projects in various industries in The Bahamas and the US.