Coat of Arms of JamaicaNational A.I. Policy ExplorerJamaica
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Pillar 06

Legal & Regulatory Frameworks for A.I.

Policy objective

Strengthen Jamaica's legal and regulatory framework to guide and grow ethical A.I. practices in Jamaica.

The policy issue

A.I. raises new legal and regulatory challenges, particularly around data privacy, security, intellectual property and ethical use. Jamaica lacks a comprehensive regulatory framework to address these challenges, potentially slowing down A.I. adoption and raising concerns about A.I.'s impact on human rights.

Challenges

  • Lack of AI-specific regulations addressing data privacy, security, and ethical concerns.
  • Potential risks of A.I. misuse in surveillance, decision-making, and data handling.
  • Uncertainty about liability in cases of AI-driven errors or bias.
  • Slow resolution of intellectual property litigation.

Recommendations

Short Term1–3 yearsFoundations — guidelines, awareness, curriculum and coordination.
  1. 01

    Develop interim guidelines for A.I. ethics and data privacy, ensuring A.I. applications comply with existing data protection laws.

  2. 02

    Ensure that the legal system is equipped to deal fairly and expeditiously with disputes, particularly around intellectual property.

  3. 03

    Implement new and/or review existing legislation to facilitate the use of A.I.

Medium Term4–6 yearsBuild-out — funding, infrastructure, partnerships and pilots.
  1. 01

    Create a national A.I. regulatory framework addressing issues such as A.I. liability, bias, and transparency.

Long Term7–10 yearsInstitutionalisation — authorities, standards and global positioning.
  1. 01

    Establish a national A.I. regulatory authority responsible for monitoring A.I. development, enforcing ethical standards, and ensuring compliance with international best practices.