PHILIPSBURG:--- The highly anticipated Computech DATA x AI Tour successfully kicked off on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the JW Marriott St. Maarten, marking a pivotal moment in the region’s digital transformation journey. The event brought together esteemed leaders, industry experts, and technology enthusiasts to explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance, business, and society.
The launch event was graced by dignitaries from both the Dutch and French sides of the island, highlighting their Visions and Initiatives embracing digital technologies. The opening addresses were delivered by the President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin, Mr. Louis Mussington, and the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina. Both leaders underscored the importance of AI adoption and the need for responsible implementation, ensuring that technological progress benefits all sectors of society.
Mr. Jean Arnell, Managing Partner at Computech, introduced the event. He articulated the vision behind the DATA x AI Tour and aligned AI's concept and implementation with the realities of St. Maarten, emphasizing its value to the government, the private sector, and the public at large.
Ms. Marlene Mhangami, a Developer Advocate at Microsoft, delivered the keynote address. Her thought-provoking perspective on the Agentic Era and the history of AI set the stage for a deeper understanding of AI’s evolution and its implications for businesses and governance.
A dynamic panel discussion followed, featuring Drs. Eugene Holiday and Mr. Imran McSood Amjad shared their insights on Business strategy, Technology strategy, Organizational culture, and Data/AI Governance. The discussion offered invaluable perspectives on how leaders should align technology investments with strategic objectives while maintaining ethical, secure, and forward-thinking policies.
Attendees were treated to an engaging technical session led by Computech Cofounder Mr. Alain Roper, who provided a live demonstration on the use of agentic AI. The session captivated the audience by demystifying the concepts of chatbots, LLMs, AI agents and showcasing live demonstrations of an AI agent and its potential for transforming various sectors.
The conference concluded with interactive breakout sessions on Business Applications & AI, Cloud Infrastructure & AI, Data Analytics & AI, and Modern Work. These sessions, hosted by Computech engineers and developers, provided participants with hands-on insights into practical AI applications, equipping them with knowledge to drive AI-driven strategies in their respective fields.
The Computech DATA x AI Tour has set the stage for an exciting future, fostering data estate modernization, AI awareness, adoption, and innovation in St. Maarten. As AI continues to evolve, events like these will be crucial in ensuring the region remains competitive in the digital era.
