The automation of Unmanned Aerial zSystems (UAS) holds promise for the Caribbean, but only if we approach it with clarity and purpose. Yes, automated drones can support agriculture, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. For small island states, that’s not trivial. But technology without strategy is just noise.
The real issue? Fragmented regulation, limited technical capacity, and a tendency to chase innovation without building the systems to sustain it. Automation can’t replace human oversight, and it certainly won’t fix structural gaps in governance or education. If we’re not training people to manage, interpret, and apply the data these systems generate, we’re just flying expensive toys.
Still, UAS automation matters—because the Caribbean needs scalable, resilient solutions. But it must be embedded in policy, capacity-building, and regional collaboration. Otherwise, we risk investing in tools that serve headlines more than communities.
In short: automation is valuable, but only when it’s part of a broader vision. Let’s not confuse novelty with impact
