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Frameworks · Jamaica

AI governance frameworks and laws that apply in Jamaica

Jamaica has no AI-specific law. Organisations govern AI under the Data Protection Act 2020, whose section 12 gives people rights over decisions taken solely by automatic means, while national AI policy is developed through the National AI Task Force and UNESCO's readiness assessment.

Who regulates AI here

  • Office of the Information CommissionerRegulates the Data Protection Act 2020, including data controller registration, breach reports, impact assessments and the rights over automated decisions.
  • Bank of JamaicaSupervises deposit-taking institutions and financial holding companies, whose governance and risk management standards reach the AI they use.
  • Financial Services CommissionRegulates securities, insurance and pensions businesses, whose use of AI with clients sits within its conduct and governance oversight.

Jamaica

Jamaica regulates automated decisions through its Data Protection Act 2020, in operation since December 2023, while national AI policy is developed.

LawJamaica DPA section 12Jamaica Data Protection Act 2020, section 12 on automated decision-takingSection 12 of Jamaica's Data Protection Act lets people stop or challenge decisions taken solely by automatic means. What it requires and what it means for AI.In force since 1 December 2023

All Jamaica frameworks

International

Standards and frameworks that apply across borders. Most organisations use one of these as the backbone of their AI governance, whatever their jurisdiction.

StandardISO/IEC 42001ISO/IEC 42001:2023 AI management systemsISO/IEC 42001 is the certifiable international standard for an AI management system. What it requires, how Annex A works and how to get ready to certify.Published December 2023, current editionIn Aicura from ProStandardISO/IEC 42005ISO/IEC 42005:2025 AI system impact assessmentISO/IEC 42005 is international guidance on assessing how an AI system affects people and society, when to assess, what to record and how it links to 42001.Published May 2025, current editionVoluntary frameworkNIST AI RMFNIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)The NIST AI RMF is a voluntary framework for managing AI risk through four functions, Govern, Map, Measure and Manage. What it asks and who uses it worldwide.Version 1.0 current, revision under wayIn Aicura from ProVoluntary frameworkNIST Generative AI ProfileNIST AI RMF Generative AI Profile (NIST AI 600-1)NIST AI 600-1 applies the AI Risk Management Framework to generative AI. Its 12 risks, the suggested actions behind them and who uses the profile and why.Final, published July 2024StandardISO/IEC 23894ISO/IEC 23894:2023 Guidance on AI risk managementISO/IEC 23894 adapts the ISO 31000 risk process to AI. What the guidance covers, its AI risk sources and lifecycle mapping, and how it fits with ISO 42001.Published February 2023, current editionStandardISO/IEC 38507ISO/IEC 38507:2022 Governance implications of the use of AI by organizationsISO/IEC 38507 is guidance for boards on governing an organisation's use of AI. What it asks of directors, how it links to ISO/IEC 38500 and who uses it.Published April 2022, current editionVoluntary frameworkOECD AI PrinciplesOECD Recommendation of the Council on Artificial Intelligence (OECD AI Principles)The OECD AI Principles are the intergovernmental standard for trustworthy AI, adopted 2019 and revised 2024. The five principles and how to apply them.Adopted May 2019, revised May 2024Voluntary frameworkHUDERIAHUDERIA: Risk and impact assessment of AI systems for human rights, democracy and the rule of lawHUDERIA is the Council of Europe's method for assessing AI risks to human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Its four elements, scoring and who uses it.Methodology and Model adopted, non-bindingLawCouncil of Europe AI ConventionCouncil of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS No. 225)The Council of Europe AI Convention is the first binding international treaty on AI. Who has signed and ratified, what it asks of parties and when it applies.Open for signature, not yet in forceVoluntary frameworkG7 Hiroshima Code of ConductHiroshima Process International Code of Conduct for Organizations Developing Advanced AI SystemsThe G7 Hiroshima Code of Conduct sets 11 voluntary actions for advanced AI developers, with OECD HAIP reporting. What it asks and who reports under HAIP 2.0.Voluntary, reporting framework v2.0 liveVoluntary frameworkUNESCO AI Ethics RecommendationUNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial IntelligenceUNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI is the global standard its member states adopted in 2021. Its values, principles and Ethical Impact Assessment.Adopted November 2021

All International frameworks

Aicura in Jamaica

Frameworks elsewhere

Guides

Questions

Does Jamaica have an AI law?

No. The Data Protection Act 2020, in operation since 1 December 2023, is the main binding rule for AI that uses personal data. National AI policy is being developed, and Jamaica launched UNESCO's AI Readiness Assessment on 1 April 2026.

Who enforces data protection in Jamaica?

The Information Commissioner, through the Office of the Information Commissioner. It registers data controllers, receives breach reports and annual impact assessments, and can order a controller to reconsider an automated decision.

Does the Data Protection Act apply to foreign companies?

It can. It applies to controllers established in Jamaica, and to controllers elsewhere that use equipment in Jamaica, or that process the data of people in Jamaica to offer them products or services or monitor their behaviour there. Those controllers must appoint a representative in Jamaica.

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