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01 September 2026, Basseterre, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis - Young innovators from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) demonstrated the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to address real-world challenges during their presentations at the 2026 ECCU Chatbot and Multimedia Showcase and Closing Ceremony held on Friday,
28 August.

The event was held at the Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), and marked the culmination of the four-week 2026 ECCU Generative AI and Python Summer Camp, which was launched on 13 July with 174 registrants. Sponsored by the ECCB and the Republic of China (Taiwan) International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), and hosted by the ECCB, the free camp targeted students aged 14 and older who will enter Forms 4 and 5 or college in the 2026/27 academic year.

The students showcased 12 AI-powered chatbot projects and six multimedia presentations which were developed based on the needs of regional businesses and public sector organisations. Judges assessed the campers' presentations and questioned each team on the functionality and technical aspects of the solution. Client assessments accounted for 50.0 per cent of the final scores.

Senior Project Specialist at the ECCB and Project Manager for the annual Summer Camp and Showcase, Sybil Welsh, said the introduction of clients this year marked an important evolution of the programme, allowing campers to apply their skills to the needs of organisations across the ECCU.

"We are turning the tables on what it means to put on a camp," Welsh said. She noted that some teams developed projects for organisations outside their home countries, while others brought together campers from different ECCU countries. That, she said, required participants to demonstrate collaboration and partnership - soft skills that are important to building effective teams. Welsh also emphasised capacity-building as a key objective of the Camp, highlighting the shift in 2026 from certificates of participation to externally recognised certification.

Addressing the young innovators at Friday's event, Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, His Excellency Edward Tao, said, "You saw first-hand how technology works outside the classroom. You learned how to analyse a challenge, collaborate as a team, and build a functional solution. This carries a crucial lesson for all of you: technology is at its most powerful when it helps everyday people."

CHATBOT WINNERS
AquaCoders captured first place with a solution developed for the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) of Grenada. The team, hailing from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, comprised: Alysson Ambrose, Azaray Defreitas, Akasha Dember, Mikayla Durant, J'Nae Edwards, Cornel London, Aren Ollivierre, Arriana Peters, Kyron Quashi, Shanon Ralph, Keleisha Simmons, Kevin Thomas, and Nijonte Thomas.

Team Island Waves placed second with a project for the Inland Revenue Department of Anguilla. The team comprised campers from Montserrat, Anguilla, and Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis: Michaela Conner, Zenia Francis, Kai Gray, Khan Gray, Chayzan Green, Hallie-Jaiz Harris, Kevin Lively, and Hadassah Williams.

Team ASPIRE AI placed third with a solution for the ASPIRE Programme (Achieving Success through Personal Investment, Resources and Education). The team, from Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, comprised: Rayanna Morris Greenidge, Nya Jack, Dre Martin, Amarni Moore, Rayanna Morris, Kylie Richards, and Cayden Williams.

MULTIMEDIA WINNERS
GenTech captured first place with Understanding IRD and Compliance, developed for the Inland Revenue Department of Anguilla. The team, hailing from Antigua and Barbuda, comprised: Chamiya Ambrose, Rondell Anthony, Rayson Anthony, Cavon Barnwell, Kaleigh Rogers, Kassidy Rogers, and Lawayne Spaulding.

The Odyssey Team placed second with Anchored in Every Journey, developed for the St Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority (SCASPA). The team, from Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, comprised: Rondell Anthony, Jayden Galloway, Tianna Henry, Deondra Hunte, Daniel Kelly, Allick-zander Lovelace, Akanni Ralph, and Kadesha Samuel.

The Redemption Team placed third with Don't Sweat It, Outsource It, developed for Outsource Development of the Commonwealth of Dominica. The team, comprising campers from Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and Saint Lucia, included Sychar Aubert, Arianna Blanchard, Tejhyuani Charles, Nevaeh Eugene, Chaeli Francis, Jahari Francis, Viaje Frederick, Aiden Guiste, Minran Isaac, Irena Leon, and Celeste Thomas.

The first-place teams received EC$8,000, while the second-place teams received EC$5,000 and the third-place teams EC$3,000, for a total of EC$32,000 in team prizes.

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About the ECCB
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was established in October 1983. The ECCB is the Monetary Authority for: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Christopher (St Kitts) and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

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