In our most recent "Tech Tuesday" session, Dennis Augustine sat down with Matt Hamilton, a software veteran who recently swapped the UK for the shores of Barbados. Far from a "digital nomad" just passing through, Matt’s story is a masterclass in how the region can turn the tide of "Brain Drain" into a powerful movement of Brain Gain.
From blockchain and decentralized AI to building local search infrastructure, the conversation explored how technology, when rooted in local culture and human problems, can transform the Caribbean digital landscape.
The Vision of "Brain Gain"
The session opened with Dennis reflecting on the historic phenomenon of the "Brain Drain"—where the region's best minds leave for North America or Europe. However, Matt represents a new wave of professionals bringing their skills back to the islands.
"Matt is somebody who is a really fine example of what we can do in the region to achieve some brain gain as opposed to the brain drain that we are so well known for." — Dennis Augustine (00:00:15)
From Web3 to the West Indies
Matt’s background includes heavy-hitting roles at Ripple, Protocol Labs, and IBM. But his move to Barbados wasn't just about the scenery; it was about integration.
"I came here for a slower pace of life. I came here for my wife's health and my health mentally as well... I've been a software developer for about 30 odd years now." — Matt Hamilton (00:03:00)
Solving Local Problems: The "Yuh Gettin Tru" Story
One of the standout moments of the session was Matt’s explanation of Yuh Gettin Tru, a product search engine he built specifically for the Barbados market. Instead of waiting for Google to prioritize the island, Matt built infrastructure that indexes over 350,000 local products.
"Google are not interested in 300,000 people on 164 square miles... I’m building infrastructure for discoverability... I was scratching my own itch." — Matt Hamilton (00:29:15)
With a staggering 22% click-through rate to vendor sites—nearly ten times the industry average—the platform proves that there is a massive appetite for locally-built, context-aware digital tools.
Transparency and Tech: "Yuh Hear Dem"
Matt also discussed You Hear Them, an AI-powered tool that makes parliamentary transcripts searchable. By indexing YouTube recordings of government sessions, the platform allows citizens to hold leaders accountable by simply searching for topics like "immigration reform" or "sports funding."
"You're not gonna sit and look through four hours to find that needle in a haystack... I created these sites to allow people to find that a lot more easily." — Matt Hamilton (00:25:00)
Tali: The ADHD Ally in WhatsApp
Finally, Matt showcased Tali, an AI task manager built entirely within WhatsApp. Designed for neurodivergent individuals, it focuses on context-aware task management without the friction of a complex UI.
"The whole idea being is, what is the simplest app you could build? What is the simplest interface? Well, no interface. It's built within WhatsApp and you just converse with it like you would any friend." — Matt Hamilton (00:39:00)
Closing Thoughts: The "Expat Turing Test"
The session concluded with a heartening takeaway: the importance of cultural integration. Matt shared a story from TikTok where followers were shocked to hear his British accent, having assumed he was a local because of how deeply his projects—and his "Bajan" vernacular—are rooted in the community.
The Revolution is here, and it’s being built by people who show up, contribute, and understand that technology is first and foremost about people.
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