A call for citizens to embrace the evolving role of artificial intelligence in education and everyday life was made by Member of Parliament for Point Fortin, Ernesto Kesar, while speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Step to Success project.
The Step to Success project, spearheaded by A.L. Williams Educational Services and Consultancy, introduced Secondary School students to Microsoft Office and the basics of AI through ten interactive in-person sessions.
Mr. Kesar admitted that he was unaware of how deeply AI had already integrated into our daily tools and systems.
“To be very frank with you all, I am old school, not understanding that I have been using AI and not understanding what AI was. So I went and do my little research and to learn that Microsoft Office and some of the tools that we have been using since in our time, back in the 90s and in the early 2000s, was some of the first introduction of AI, I was taken aback because I just didn’t know.”
MP Kesar commended the students while highlighting the importance of including adults in the AI learning journey.
“AI has become a critical part of all of our life. We are using Siri. We are using things to assist in rehabilitation of persons who have lost limbs. We are even using artificial intelligence now to assist persons who never walked in their life because the next level for AI is the issue of robotics and the sky is the limit.”
Mayor of Point Fortin, Clyde James, said such projects empower young people to take their studies one step further.
“Now that we have graduated the first batch of students I would like you to make sure that this programme be expanded to more people in Point Fortin and by extension other parts of Trinidad and Tobago.”
One of the graduates, Seon Boodoo, said the programme has equipped them with the tools to navigate the digital world.
“In Word, we learnt how to draft professional documents, format reports and refine our communication. In Excel, we mastered organising data performing calculations and creating insightful charts that bring numbers to life. With Power Point we discovered ideas, captivating presentations using visuals to engage and inspire.”
With the digital world evolving rapidly, initiatives like Step to Success are not only bridging the gap between youth and technology—but also encouraging adults to learn alongside them.