Window Dressing or Real Progress? Reflections on AI and Renewable Energy in Curaçao
October 26, 2024
Lately, I’ve noticed a surge in conferences on Artificial Intelli-gence. We have policies on AI in the works, discussions on ethics and safety, and even legislation requiring that if someone falls victim to an ICT-related incident, they must report it within a certain timeframe. Dedicated institutions are available to help, and I almost start to feel that Curaçao has suddenly become a "force to be reckoned with" in the AI landscape.
But then, reality hits: our schools still struggle with ICT infrastruc-ture, and I cannot help but feel that much of this is just window dress-ing. The same pattern appears in the world of renewable energy. Re-cently, I’ve seen photos of local and Dutch experts standing proudly before sustainable energy projects, paired with statements declaring progress. And yes, it is encouraging to see more neighbors, friends, and acquaintances installing solar panels on their roofs. Yet, I worry that much of this is more about appearances than actual impact.
There are some bright spots, though. Curaçao Airport Partners (CAP) has taken tangible steps by donating tablets to local schools and creating internship opportunities. These concrete actions benefit the community, unlike some other initiatives that seem to serve mainly as PR.
So, are we on the verge of meaningful change, or are we just polish-ing our image for the world to see? I keep asking myself this question as I watch these developments unfold.
However, we need to look carefully. The new wind turbines re-cently installed represent a genuine step forward in renewable energy. In contrast, we’ve been discussing category one aviation status for fifteen years, with little progress to show. Meanwhile, the issue of a government ministry still being under ransomware control seems to have faded from public discussion. And then there’s the recent re-branding of RdK to “2Bays Curaçao.” Changing names and logos feels like the ultimate exercise in window dressing—an illusion of trans-formation without real substance.
Miguel Goede
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