Labour Minister Jordan Addresses AI's Role in Workforce Development in Barbados

On October 15, 2026, Colin Jordan, Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, addressed the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados biennial People Development Conference. Jordan cautioned that companies must ensure technology such as artificial intelligence does not make workplaces hostile to workers. Tisha Peters, president of the HRMAB, noted the conference theme was "Workforce 2030: Ready Or Not".

The conference highlighted the growing interaction between people and technology in the modern workplace. Jordan stressed that human qualities like empathy, judgment, and creativity cannot be replaced by AI. This emphasizes the increasing importance of human resource professionals in managing technological adoption and its impact on labor.