From Hack to Impact
Why the Intellibus AI Hackathon 2025 Was More Than Just Code
Let’s be honest—when you hear the word “hack”, your first thought probably isn’t “national development.” But that’s exactly the shift that happened at the Intellibus AI Hackathon 2025, and guess what? I had the privilege of hosting the kickoff event at the AC Marriott Hotel on March 14.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—Jamaica, hackathons, AI… sounds ambitious, right? But let me tell you: ambition looks good on us. With a tech-savvy, English-speaking population, high-speed internet, and loads of creative energy, Jamaica is more than just sun and sand—we’re ripe for tech transformation.
Over the weekend, 500 brilliant minds (yes, five hundred!) came together to solve real-world problems using AI, cloud computing, and good old-fashioned teamwork. They weren’t just coding for the fun of it—there were US$15,000 in prizes, 20 job offers on the line, and some serious networking (the human kind, not the cable kind).
The opening ceremony was packed with insight. Professor Sean Thorpe reminded us that hard skills matter just as much as soft ones—a timely truth in today’s world. Professor Gunjan Mansingh emphasized the power of specialized solutions, and how they fuel innovation and startups. Then came Nadeen Matthews Blair, who called the hackathon a real leap forward for Jamaica in the global tech space—and I couldn’t agree more.
Christopher Reckord, Chairman of the National AI Task Force, drove it home by highlighting how events like this one unlock creative, homegrown solutions. And then Ed Watal, Founder of Intellibus, blew us away with a reminder that tech—especially AI—must be ethical, secure, and human-focused.
And that’s what made this event so powerful. It wasn’t just about finding the best developer or the sharpest AI model. It was about building a community, reversing the brain drain, and showing the world that Jamaica has the talent—and the tech infrastructure—to deliver at a global level.
Think about it: Intellibus could’ve just posted job listings and called it a day. But instead, they invested in a platform that gives people a shot at learning, connecting, competing, and winning. Even if you didn’t walk away with a job or cash prize, you walked away better equipped—with new skills, new friends, and a new perspective on what’s possible.
This is the kind of innovation Jamaica needs—and frankly, what the world needs from us. We may be a small island, but we’ve got big ideas and even bigger talent. And if the hackathon was any indication, we’re just getting started.
So if you ever doubted that Jamaica could be a player in the global tech space, let me be the one to say: watch this space.
Special thanks to Racheal Callaghan for inviting me. It was also great to meet Camile Gayle and Graham Thompson of the Intellibus team.
