AI Is No Longer “Tech Talk” — It’s Now a Caribbean Kitchen Table Conversatio

byPaulChetwyn

2.2K followers

1 day ago

AI is no longer just a Silicon Valley discussion or something tech people debate on YouTube. It’s showing up in everyday Caribbean conversations — quiet ones, real ones, concerned ones.

And the thread connecting them all?

Money. Stability. The future.

Let me share what I noticed this week.

Conversation #1 — A Phone Call That Took an Unexpected Turn

I was on the phone with a member of my congregation. The reason for the call had nothing to do with technology. We were discussing a post (sermon) I had written called:

“Breaking Free from the Three Snakes: Lust, Laziness, and Living in Fantasy.”

A spiritual and personal growth discussion.

Then the conversation shifted. Unprompted.

She began talking about income. She and her husband, she said, had been praying for direction — asking God to show them new ways to earn. Not out of greed. Out of concern. Rising costs. Responsibilities. The feeling that one stream of income no longer feels safe.

Then came the second pivot.

She mentioned a discussion at her workplace. Someone there had said AI is the future and that she should consider learning it.

Think about that.

A normal office conversation in Trinidad… and AI comes up as a career survival topic.

That’s not hype. That’s awareness growing at ground level.

I casually mentioned I’ve been learning about AI and shared an image I created using AI. Her reaction? Curiosity. Interest. Not fear — but realization.

Conversation #2 — My Dentist, My Client, Same Concern

Later, I was chatting with my dentist, who also runs her own practice and is an accounting client.

We were discussing 2025 tax filings — a normal business discussion.

Then, again, the same theme surfaced: income sources.

She wasn’t talking about technology first. She was talking about earning in other currencies.

I asked, “Are you interested in being paid in US dollars?”

Her response:

“Yeah, at this point in Trinidad, who wouldn’t want that?” 🤣

Different person. Different profession. Same underlying issue.

People are looking beyond local income limitations.

Now Add This to the Picture

• Government departments announcing AI-driven initiatives
• Senior finance professionals publicly discussing AI in national media
• Businesses advertising new AI platforms

This isn’t coincidence. It’s a pattern.

AI is entering policy discussions, boardrooms, and ordinary conversations at the same time.

What This Really Means

People aren’t fascinated with AI for fun.

They are connecting AI with:

✔ Income security
✔ Future-proofing
✔ Wealth creation
✔ Global earning opportunities

In Trinidad and across the Caribbean, the question is no longer:

“What is AI?”

It’s becoming:

“How do I use this to survive and grow financially?”

The Emotional Undercurrent

There’s quiet pressure in the air:

• Cost of living rising
• Limited local opportunities
• Currency concerns
• Job uncertainty

People feel it.

And when people feel pressure, they start searching for new doors.

AI is becoming one of those doors.

So What’s the Way Forward? (For Me — and Anyone Paying Attention)

Moments like this don’t last forever.

When awareness rises but understanding is still low, there’s a window of opportunity.

Here’s how I’m looking at it:

1. Keep Learning AI — Practically, Not Theoretically

Not just “what is AI,” but how to use it to create income streams.

2. Position as a Bridge

Many people are curious but overwhelmed.
They don’t need hype. They need translation.

Explain AI in plain language. Show practical uses.

3. Focus on Income, Not Technology

People aren’t chasing AI. They’re chasing financial stability.

Lead with solutions:

• Online income
• Affiliate marketing
• Digital skills
• Remote earning

AI becomes the tool, not the pitch.

4. Build Trust First

These conversations show people are searching quietly.
They will move with those they already trust.

Final Thought

This week showed me something clearly:

AI awareness in Trinidad and the Caribbean is no longer theoretical.
It’s Personal. Financial. Emotional.

People are asking:

“What’s next for me?”

And maybe the real opportunity isn’t just using AI…

…but helping others understand how to use it to build a more secure future.

That’s a conversation worth continuing