The island’s first centre for artificial intelligence leadership opened its doors at the Bermuda High School for Girls yesterday.

The lab is named after tech executive and author Rajeev Kapur, who was inspired to establish the centre while touring the school this year.

Mr Kapur explained: “I said, ‘have you guys ever thought about doing an AI lab or a place where you could expand science, technology, engineering and mathematics?’

“With Stem and AI-type tools, smaller communities are usually not looked upon as great operatives of these things, let alone an all-girls’ school.

“I wondered if this would be an interesting place to help support the girls. Really, that’s where it came from.”

Carol Swainson, the head of school, said everyone was welcome to use the lab, which comes with 20 computers equipped with AI resources.

She explained: “We have an Innovation Centre, so having a centre for AI leadership makes perfect sense for BHS.

“The best part is, just like our Innovation Centre, we want to share it with all of Bermuda. It’s not just for us.”

Ms Swainson, Mr Kapur and Owen Darrell, the Minister of Tourism, Transport, Culture and Sport, spoke during the centre’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Mr Kapur, recently named the top leader in AI by Forbes, discussed parenting in the age of AI.

He told parents: “Our kids are the first generation raised always on intelligence and they’re going to need your help to lead them through it.

“That means you have to learn it and become passionate about it, because it’s here — it’s not going away, just like social media, the internet, e-commerce and all those things didn’t go away.”

He added that raising AI-ready children requires curiosity, protecting their identities, rewarding creativity and modelling ethical behaviour.

Mr Kapur explained: “AI will amplify the good in people, but will amplify the hell out of the bad. That’s where you come in.”

He hopes the centre, the second he has opened, will expand creativity and possibly lead to someone in Bermuda creating the next billion-dollar company.

Mr Kapur explained: “I hope, more than anything, it expand their curiosity and understanding on what’s feasible in the world and what’s possible, and that just because they’re on a small island like Bermuda doesn’t mean they can’t effect change in a big way.

“I think AI is going to help that enable that. Even if one young lady comes out of this programme and it helps change her or her parent’s life, or herself or the community around her — it’s worth it.”