15-y-o star takes UTech by storm

As a 14 year-old, Jada Wright made history by becoming the youngest student to be admitted to the University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech). Now 15, and pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science programme, the young wiz has proven she belongs in the big leagues.

"It's been a great year, and I've got all A's so far," said the youngster who dreams of working as a software engineer at Microsoft.

Reflecting on her university experience, describing her first year as "amazing!" She shared that what surprised her the most was how accepting everyone has been.

"No one treats me like I'm a younger kid," she explained. "I think most people don't recognise me, but they do know me. So, I feel just like a regular college student," she said.

After dominating her CSEC exams with nine grade ones, she dove head first into the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at UTech. But that's not all. Wright also co-founded the Caribbean Online Academy, a virtual school built by her family to help students across the region access affordable, flexible learning for CSEC and CAPE exams.

Wright is a speaker at the Caribbean Centre for Organisation Development Excellence (CARI-CODE) conference, currently underway at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel. And she's using her platform to sound off on one of the hottest topics, artificial intelligence (AI).

"I can't say that I haven't used ChatGPT, but I think it's important to use it in a way that supports us," she explained.

"If I don't understand a concept, ChatGPT is the best at explaining it in the simplest terms possible." She also expressed appreciation in how AI can assist with creating diagrams and study materials, helping her to better grasp complex concepts.

Wright further discussed how AI is becoming an essential part of the learning process, "everyone is going to be using it someday. It's going to be just as much a staple as Google."

Despite her enthusiasm for AI, Wright is quick to caution against over-reliance. In fact, Wright believes the key is using AI responsibly and effectively, noting that students should learn how to set boundaries to avoid undermining their critical thinking skills.

"It can be used for both good and bad. You just have to learn how to use it effectively to your needs," she explained.

For Wright, AI also offers a creative outlet. "As a programmer, I'm terrible at art, but sometimes I do need artistic components in my websites, and you can have AI generate that now, which I think is really cool."

She shared how she recently used AI to create two pages of a comic book she's been thinking about for a while, which she can now refine and share with others. "It's just freeing up time to focus on these bigger solutions."