Jonathan Reid Sworn in as Senator and Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science, and Technology: Government's Focus on Digitization and Public Engagement

Jonathan Reid, former Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, was officially sworn in today as a senator and Minister of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology at State House.

Reid’s appointment comes at a time when Government is placing renewed focus on digitisation, innovation, and boosting scientific and technological development across the island.

The 42-year-old said while he was yet to have a conversation with President The Most Honourable Reginald Farley and Leader of Government Business, Senator Lisa Cummins, his goal would be to make government’s policy resonate with the people and raise awareness of the extraordinary things that are attempted every day.

“The idea of it being a whole of nation approach, I think that is something that is fundamentally missing. At the end of the day, Government is made [up of Barbadians. The country has to focus on being the best version of itself to move itself forward,” Reid said.

“That idea of us and them doesn’t work in the world we live in right now and so connecting more of the work and the ethos and the values of the work within Government with the public I think is something that would top of mind.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of the ministry, describing it as essential to the Government’s overall efficiency and the country’s democratic progress.

“This is a ministry that is critical to the efficiency of the government,” she said.

“People’s expectations have actually changed because of these things in front of me – the smartphones and the tablets – and one of the problems we face here, regionally and globally with democracy is that where people’s expectations get too far from what is capable of being delivered, then you have people losing faith in governance of the country and the systems of governance.”

The Prime Minister noted that bridging the gap between public expectations and government delivery required moving Barbados from an analogue to a digital environment.

“We started the process, but I’d like to see us move much quicker.”

“Digitisation is not simply about just scanning and moving forward. You hear me talk all the time about deconstruct, reconstruct and ask a number of questions so that we don’t assume that the things that were relevant 50 years, 100 years, 70 years ago are still the things to guide us today.

“What is the public purpose we’re trying to serve? What is the public mischief we want to get away from? And how can technology help us to do that in a more effective and efficient way? And that had resonance before AI (Artificial Intelligence), and with AI, it is now not only having resonance, it has to be supercharged.”

In addition to digital transformation, the Prime Minister identified improving science and mathematics education as a priority. (AM)