AI regulation in Jamaica (2026)

Established under the Office of the Prime Minister in August 2023, the Task Force published its final National AI Policy Recommendations in February 2025. These cover algorithmic accountability, bias, explainability, and call for a National AI Oversight and Implementation Council.

Following the Task Force recommendations and a UNESCO Readiness Assessment, the Government began formally drafting Jamaica's National AI Policy as of 2025, aligned with Vision 2030 Jamaica. The draft is to be submitted through Cabinet for approval; no enactment date has been set.

Jamaica was among the first Caribbean nations to complete UNESCO's Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), evaluating preparedness across legal/regulatory, technological, economic, social, and scientific dimensions. The assessment directly informed the decision to draft a dedicated National AI Policy.

The Data Protection Act 2020, fully in force since December 1, 2023, grants data subjects the right not to be subject to decisions based solely on automated processing (including profiling) that produce legally or similarly significant effects, and mandates data protection impact assessments.

Chief Justice Bryan Sykes issued Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025, making Jamaica a regional leader in judicial AI governance. It prohibits AI-drafted affidavits, witness statements, and fabricated case law; requires disclosure of AI use; and prescribes sanctions (costs orders, contempt) for misuse. Applies to the Supreme Court, Revenue Court, High Court, and Gun Court Circuit Divisions.

The Government announced a four-pillar AI workforce readiness strategy in May 2026 targeting labour policy modernisation, remote-work standards, digital worker inclusion, and preparing Jamaicans for AI-driven industries — indicating growing policy momentum beyond a single AI law.