The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) today launched its 57^th Annual General Assembly (AGA) and 37^th CBU Media Awards at the National Communications Network (NCN).

The CBU 57^th Annual General Assembly is set to take in Guyana in August under the theme “Caribbean Media and Artificial Intelligence”.

President and Chair of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s Board of Directors, Anthony Greene believes the focus on the media in the Caribbean and Artificial Intelligence is important.

“This year, we gather under a team that could not be more timely or more urgent – Caribbean Media and Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is no longer on the horizon, it is already reshaping how content is produced, distributed, translated, monetized, archived and consumed. It is changing how audiences receive information, how news rooms verify facts, and how media institutions plan for the future,” Greene said in a virtual presentation.

He said the assembly will create a platform for communication experts, broadcasters, journalists, technicians, policy makers, and content creators to examine both the opportunities and the risks that come with AI, particularly in a Caribbean content. He said important questions on the issue of artificial intelligence and the media will be addressed.

“We will explore innovation while examining the ethics, authenticity, trust, safety and inclusion required of media practitioners in small developing societies where information can quickly shape public confidence and national conversation,” the CBU President said.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, in his address at the launch, said Guyana is pleased to host the CBU’s 57th Annual General Assembly and 37^th Media Awards Ceremony.

He said the assembly is taking place at a uniquely consequential moment, when the world is changing at a pace and scale not many people had anticipated.

Minister McCoy said AI is not only reshaping industries, but it is also transforming how information is created and consumed and has challenged long held assumptions about truth, trust and accountability.

He said simultaneously, geopolitical realities are shifting, global economic norms are evolving, new centers of influence are emerging and societies everywhere are grappling with how to remain competitive, resilient and united in an increasingly uncertain and technologically driven world.

“For Small States including those of the Caribbean, these developments present both extraordinary opportunities and profound challenges. How do we harness innovation, while protecting the integrity of our information ecosystem? How do we embrace AI without compromising ethics, transparency and the human responsibility? How do we ensure that Caribbean voices, Caribbean stories and Caribbean values remain visible and influential in an era increasingly shaped by algorithms and global platforms,” the Minister McCoy questioned.

Both Minister McCoy, and President Irfaan Ali are expected to address the CBU General Assembly along with a number of other regional officials.

At today’s launch, the CBU also announced the nominees for its 37^th Annual Awards.

According to the CBU, there were a total of 683 entries submitted in 63 categories from 41 organizations and individuals from a total of 16 countries and territories.

Guyanese journalists are among the nominees for this year’s award, along with those from Jamaica, Belize, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, The Bahamas, and the British Virgin Islands.

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