Pinnock wants Jamaicans to embrace artificial intelligence as it can be very useful.
All eyes were on Sherissa Pinnock as she confidently walked across the stage at the National Library in El Savador to make her presentation in the semi-finals of the Huawei Tech4Good competition last Thursday.
A fourth-year computer science student at the University of Technology, Jamaica, the 21-year-old and her teammates were able to wow the judges and secure a space in the top 10 of the competition. Based on her compelling delivery, it is difficult to tell that less than five years ago, Pinnock had little to no interest in the technology field. But now, she and her teammates are hoping that their project, KETCH, will make it easier for Jamaican commuters to know the schedules of their buses.
“We don’t have a lot of tech initiatives in Jamaica for young people, it’s very few. The Government needs to be putting out initiatives like these to getting young people to come and solve problems more. Jamaicans are very frustrated with the transportation system and the way the schedules [are]. This project can prevent overcrowding and fuel wasting, and wear and tear happening so fast, through efficient use of artificial intelligence (AI),” she said.
Tech4Good is an entrepreneurship programme designed to help young adults learn about the latest trends in digitalisation and explore how digital technologies can address common social issues. It aims to raise students’ awareness of challenges to local sustainable development, support them to use the ICT skills they learn to explore solutions that are both technically and commercially viable, and help them turn their dreams into reality.
Pinnock admitted that growing up, she didn’t think that she would get into computer technology, as the field was more associated with men.
“I always thought that I would go into marketing or PR (public relations), you know, things that are traditionally female jobs. However, during the pandemic I was at home like everyone else, and then I decided to do coding,” she said. Coding converts human input into numerical sequences that computers understand. Once computers receive these messages, they complete assigned tasks.
“A light bulb just went off in my head and I told myself that I wanted to solve problems. So I just decided to go into computer science. After that, I got a scholarship from GraceKennedy to study computer science at UTech. I have to do it because I have so many people relying on me, including my family and friends. So with that in mind, I tend to push the boundaries and that is why I am in El Salavador. College is not just about the books, but you have to also grab every opportunity. So anything that I see, I will sign up for,” Pinnock said. This was her first time travelling outside of Jamaica.
“I must say the Latin America community is very warm and friendly, and they are very open to technology. I really hope to bring back that innovation that they have here and the investment that they have in their young people. I want to spread this knowledge in Jamaica, that us young people can merge and do great things,” she said.
She also encouraged Jamaicans to make full use of AI, as it is a tool and is only as good as the person instructing it.
“It is like a calculator, which is not going to take away an accountant’s job. Even though AI seems disruptive, it is actually going to be our best friend in terms of getting more accurate work done in a faster time. AI is not a demon,” she said.
Pinnock, a past student of Immaculate Conception High School, has a disability – one arm is noticeably longer than the other. She said she was never given a diagnosis for her condition, but has been living a full life despite being born different. She reasoned that many persons are self-conscious.
“Why should I feel a lot more self-conscious than anyone else? The thing is, if people are going to watch you, then shine brightly,” she said. “People are going to look at you because you are different. Being different doesn’t mean that persons won’t accept you. I have realised that most people are kind-hearted, so the best thing to do is get out of your own head and just live your best life.”
