-Public Works Minister says it’s timely, given the nation’s development

IN an effort to embrace and be more in tune with modern technological advancements, the United States Embassy in Georgetown hosted the Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence in the Engineering and Construction Industries Conference.

The event, which took place on Friday, was deemed timely and pivotal by Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan A Edghill, who represented the Government of Guyana.

Minister Edghill emphasised the critical role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies in revolutionising Guyana’s infrastructure, particularly during a period of extensive development projects.

The conference, aptly themed, “Revolutionising Infrastructure,” featured presentations from prominent industry experts at AutoDesk, its local partner GISCAD, the Director of Digital Business Development at Voyansi, and remarks from Daniel Gaines, Senior Commercial Officer of the US & Foreign Commercial Service.

In his address, Minister Edghill highlighted the extensive scale of infrastructural development currently underway in Guyana.

He noted that the technologies showcased at the conference have the potential to significantly support the government’s efforts across various sectors, especially in infrastructural development. “Let us use AI digitisation to gather sound data and to undertake modelling to make the forward movement of development effective. In this way, we are no longer doing guesswork, but we are using empirical evidence,” Minister Edghill stated.

Reflecting on the sheer magnitude of development projects, Minister Edghill provided a comprehensive overview of the ongoing initiatives. “Sometimes we are only viewed as the news decides to depict us, in terms of the magnitude of the work that is taking place in Guyana.

However, if we really sit and analyse the various aspects that are being built out – 5000 community roads, more than 600 kilometres of hinterland roads, the New Demerara Harbour Bridge, the new bridge that will connect MacKenzie and Wismar in Linden, 48 other bridges along the Linden-Lethem corridor, the bridge across the Corentyne River, the hospitals that are being built, more than 30 schools under construction, health centres that are being modernised to introduce telemedicine, creating infrastructure to bring connectivity to 245 villages that are in the remote parts of Guyana, which entails both electricity and internet connectivity – we see that the magnitude and the scope of what is being done, all at the same time, has never been done before.”

Minister Edghill further elaborated on the strategic use of AI and digitisation in managing these extensive projects. “From where I sit as the Minister of Public Works, I know that the conversation is about digitisation in the management of projects, but I want to take a step back and see it as part of the design perspective; where we use digitisation and AI to gather sound data and to undertake modelling, to make the forward movement of development effective. In this way, we are no longer doing guesswork, but we are using empirical evidence,” he explained.

He also underscored the importance of a data-driven approach in making development decisions that align with Guyana’s unique circumstances and developemenatal agenda.

Minister Edghill stressed that while new technologies are essential for progress, they must also respect and preserve the country’s cultural heritage. “Let’s start thinking about how we can do new things, but we don’t change who we are. We have to be able to use new technology to drive us into the future, but that technology must be able to communicate that our values and the things that we really cherish will not be lost. It’s not just about being modern, but being modern in an environment where your own culture and your own niche is not lost,” he said.

Moreover, Minister Edghill highlighted the government’s proactive steps in ensuring that the population is equipped with the necessary tools to manage these technological advancements.

“I am happy to announce that through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Guyana has just made it possible for our engineers, lawyers from the Attorney General’s Chambers, and technicians who have to undertake contract management, to do special courses in understanding FIDIC applications, because with the changing technological landscape we must be on the cutting edge,” he said.

The conference underscored the critical role of AI and digital technologies in advancing Guyana’s infrastructural projects. It also highlighted the government’s commitment to integrating modern technological solutions, while preserving the nation’s cultural identity.