By Robert Andre Emmanuel
The government has underlined a number of legislative plans for the new session of Parliament with laws to regulate the use of artificial intelligence and reforms to restructure the police force among them.
Amidst the regular trappings of self-congratulatory praise and defending of government actions from its critics, the 2025 Throne Speech—lasting just over an hour long—provided insight into the government’s plans for 2025.
Among the key reforms include regulating the use of artificial intelligence.
“To adapt to the ongoing revolution in information technology, particularly the rise of artificial intelligence, recognising the transformative impact of AI on society, the government is taking proactive steps to ensure that its laws adequately adjust the ethical and secure use of this technology.
“The Ministry of Legal Affairs, in collaboration with other CARICOM ministries, is working to draft appropriate laws to regulate the use of AI, focusing on the technology’s benefits while minimizing the potential harm,” Governor General Sir Rodney Williams said.
This focus on artificial intelligence follows the hosting the AI conference by the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus where a number of seminars were held on the potential benefits and dangers of AI in several areas, including the police service, education and health.
A number of regional and international agencies, such as UNESCO, have written numerous policy briefs and reports discussing AI in the Caribbean.
Another discussion point was the future renaming of His Majesty’s Prison to the Antigua and Barbuda Correctional Facility, the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda to the Antigua and Barbuda Police Service and the Fire Brigade will be rebranded as the Antigua and Barbuda Fire and Rescue Services.
“My government is committed to strengthening and modernizing the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda. In 2025, we plan to amend existing legislation to reflect a stronger service orientation within our law enforcement agencies,” Sir Rodney said.
Talks about separating the police force and the fire brigade has also been mentioned in previous speeches with references to continued “consultations to ensure that these legislative changes are comprehensive and effective” suggesting the legal amendments are still under development.
Additionally, the government also said it plans to introduce a mental health reform bill, changes to crack down on shell companies serving shielding companies from paying severance packages to its employees and addressing abandoned properties in the new year.
“The Ministry of Legal Affairs is working diligently to table the appropriate legislation in the early months of 2025,” he remarked.
