What you will learn
- What the skills picture looks like in Guyana
- The different kinds of AI work, not only coding
- Where to study and train
- How to start building a portfolio, even with a phone
The skills picture
Guyana's Mid-Year Report 2026, as reported by DPI, says the country's main labour challenge has shifted from creating jobs to finding people with the right skills. It cites the Bureau of Statistics' Labour Force Survey for the fourth quarter of 2025, which put unemployment at 6.2 per cent, down from 12.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2020, and says sector-specific manpower studies were planned for the second half of 2026 (DPI, 14 Sep 2026).
In January 2026, the Prime Minister said skills in information technology, robotics, digital finance, logistics and systems management are increasingly essential. He also pointed to GOAL scholarships in ICT fields and the "One Guyana" Digital Initiative, which he said is equipping 2,000 citizens with software development and other in-demand skills (DPI, 29 Jan 2026).
The Cerebras data centre MoU also includes a commitment by the company to training programmes, research, university partnerships and internships for Guyanese (DPI, 12 Nov 2025). Watch for official announcements on how these will work.
AI work is not only for coders
Think of AI jobs in three groups.
1. AI users (every job)
People who use AI tools well in their normal work. This is the biggest group and the easiest to join.
- Office administrators who draft and summarise faster
- Teachers who plan lessons with AI support
- Small business owners who market and analyse sales
- Customer service staff who use AI to find answers quickly
- Health workers who use AI-assisted tools under proper supervision
Skills: prompting, checking facts, privacy habits, clear writing. Lessons 1 to 8 of this course cover the basics.
2. AI builders and connectors
People who set up, connect and maintain AI-powered systems for organisations.
- Data entry and data quality staff who prepare clean records
- Data analysts who turn spreadsheets into insights
- Web and software developers who connect AI features to apps
- IT support and systems administrators who run the servers and networks
- Cybersecurity staff who protect systems and data
Skills: spreadsheets, databases, basic programming (for example Python or JavaScript), networking, security basics.
3. AI specialists
People who build, train, test and govern AI models.
- Machine learning engineers
- Data scientists
- AI researchers
- AI ethics, policy and governance specialists
- Robotics and automation engineers (for example in oil and gas, see Lesson 9)
Skills: maths and statistics, programming, machine learning, and for policy roles, law, ethics and public administration.
Where to study and train in Guyana
- University of Guyana, MSc Artificial Intelligence. The programme page lists courses such as Fundamentals of AI, Advanced Algorithms, Responsible and Ethical AI, and Machine Learning, with electives including Natural Language Processing, Computer Vision, Foundations of Large Language Models and Applied Robotics, plus a thesis or applied project (University of Guyana). Entry generally needs a relevant first degree; see the page for full requirements.
- GOAL. The 2026 bachelor list includes AI-related programmes delivered with partner universities, for example a BCA in Artificial Intelligence, a BCA in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, and a BBA in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GOAL 2026 list). Intakes and rules change, so check GOAL directly.
- Public servants: the Ministry of Public Service's CEIT lists training including Ethical Use of AI and Cybersecurity Awareness (CEIT).
- Young people: the OPM Industry and Innovation Unit runs the Innovation Challenge. The 2026 edition, held 4 to 6 September at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, added a Junior Category for ages 16 to 21. OilNOW reported that I TECH won the Senior Category from 14 registered teams and MATT Solutions won the first Junior Category (OilNOW, 14 Sep 2026). The Unit also runs Guyanese Girls Code for girls aged 13 to 15 (OPM Industry and Innovation Unit).
There are also many free online courses from well-known universities and companies. See the GuyanaHub free tools page for a starting list.
Build a portfolio, even with a phone
Employers want to see what you can do. Start small:
- Solve a real local problem. For example: a price list and order form for your aunt's cake business; a spreadsheet that tracks a cricket club's fees; a simple chatbot script that answers questions about your church's events.
- Write it up. One page: the problem, what you did, the tools you used, what you learned, what you would improve.
- Show the before and after. Screenshots or a short video (no private data).
- Be honest about AI. Say which parts AI helped with. Employers value people who can use AI and explain their work.
- Keep going. Three small, finished projects beat one big unfinished one.
Watch out for career scams
- Be careful of "AI jobs" that ask you to pay a fee to get hired.
- Be careful of courses promising guaranteed jobs or salaries.
- Check that a training provider is real: a physical address, official registration and reviews from people you can verify.
A 90-day starter plan
- Days 1 to 30: Complete this course. Use AI every day for one real task. Keep a notebook of good prompts.
- Days 31 to 60: Learn spreadsheets properly (formulas, sorting, charts). Do one small data project.
- Days 61 to 90: Try a free beginner programming or "Elements of AI"-style course. Finish one portfolio project and write it up.
Official links for training and careers
These are official sites, checked on 24 Oct 2026. Text links only. The full list is on the Government and learning links page.
- Guyana Digital School (Ministry of Education): The Ministry of Education's free online school for Grades 1 to 11, with CSEC-aligned lessons and a digital library, open to Guyanese and Caribbean students. https://digitalschool.moe.edu.gy/
- Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) (Government of Guyana): Government scholarship programme for online certificates and degrees from partner universities, including some AI-related programmes. https://goal.edu.gy/
- University of Guyana, Department of Computer Science programmes (University of Guyana): List of computer science programmes, including the MSc in Artificial Intelligence. https://uog.edu.gy/srms/departments/7/programmes/
- Centre for Excellence in Information Technology (CEIT) (Ministry of Public Service): ICT training for public servants, including Ethical Use of AI and Cybersecurity Awareness. https://mps.gov.gy/ceit/
- Industry and Innovation Unit: Our Work (Office of the Prime Minister): Overview of the Unit's programmes: hackathons, Girls in ICT, code sprints, ICT job board, summer boot camp and ICT expos. https://innovation.gov.gy/our-work/
- Innovation Challenge (Hackathons page) (Office of the Prime Minister, Industry and Innovation Unit): The Unit's page on its hackathon, the Innovation Challenge, with past winners. https://innovation.gov.gy/our-work/hackathons/
- Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) (Government of Guyana): The government agency that promotes and helps investment and exports, including in the ICT and outsourcing sector. https://www.guyanainvest.gov.gy/
Key words
- Portfolio: a collection of work that shows your skills.
- Data analyst: someone who studies data to find useful patterns.
- Machine learning engineer: someone who builds and trains AI models.
- Manpower study: research into how many workers with which skills a sector needs.