‘9 to 5 no longer enough’: Seiveright urges UWI students to embrace AI

Kingston, Jamaica — Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Delano Seiveright, is urging young Jamaicans to move beyond the traditional 9-to-5 employment model, warning that “9-to-5 alone is not cutting it” in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven global economy.

Addressing student entrepreneurs at the Pelican Pitch Series: Entrepreneurship Forum hosted at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, on Thursday, Seiveright challenged them to rethink conventional career paths, rapidly develop artificial intelligence (AI) skills and expand their networks beyond familiar circles in order to compete internationally.

“Rising living costs, global competition and shifting work models mean single-income, traditional employment paths are increasingly insufficient,” he said, noting that major employers are reducing rigid degree requirements in favour of skills, emotional intelligence, efficiency and a demonstrated willingness to learn.

Seiveright emphasised that AI is fundamentally reshaping professions and work arrangements across industries. He pointed out that AI tools are now capable of analysing large volumes of text, drafting complex documents, assisting with coding and automating customer support.

“Fields such as law and marketing are already being transformed, with routine tasks collapsing into automated workflows and value shifting to judgment, strategy and creative direction,” he said, urging students to actively learn and practise with AI tools and embed them into their business models and career development strategies.

He further highlighted unprecedented global investment in AI infrastructure by major technology firms, noting that annual capital spending now runs into the hundreds of billions of US dollars, with multi-year projections in the trillions — signalling that AI is becoming foundational economic infrastructure.

At the same time, Seiveright stressed that Jamaica is well-positioned to take advantage of these shifts. He cited the country’s macroeconomic stability, financial reforms, strong connectivity and trade access as a solid launchpad for businesses seeking to scale beyond the domestic market.

He encouraged students to leverage diaspora links and regional market entry strategies to expand their reach.

The state minister also underscored the importance of language acquisition and global exposure, encouraging students to prioritise Spanish to tap into Latin American markets comprising more than 650 million primarily Spanish-speaking consumers. He also suggested Mandarin and other global languages as competitive assets.

“Break out of your shells,” he urged, encouraging students to attend events outside their usual circles and build diverse relationships. He noted that strong networking cultures within Indian and Chinese business communities have historically supported enterprise growth and global expansion.

Seiveright also directed aspiring entrepreneurs to the ministry’s website, MIIC.gov.jm, as a practical entry point for resources on starting a business, export readiness, intellectual property protection and links to support agencies, including the Jamaica Business Development Corporation.

In addition, he encouraged students to leverage the gig economy through global freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork to earn internationally, build portfolios and diversify income streams alongside entrepreneurship or primary employment.

The Pelican Pitch Series, hosted by the Mona Guild and the Office of Entrepreneurship and Opportunities at UWI Mona, forms part of ongoing efforts to connect student innovators with practical pathways to scale ideas into competitive, globally relevant businesses.

Source: Jamaica Observer