CEO MONTHLY / Global CEO Excellence Awards 2025 12 Most Innovative Artificial Intelligence CEO 2025 (Caribbean): Adrian Dunkley elivering more than technology, Adrian’s flagship, StarApple AI, the 1st Jamaican A.I company promises true transformation as it supports NPOs and NGOs in their missions of With a bold mission to democratize AI and expand opportunity, this Caribbean company brings together technology, education, economic growth, and social impact. For example, StarApple AI’s initiative, The Genius Project, focuses on empowering high-schoolers in underserved communities through hands-on STEAM education mentorships with a focus on A.I. CEO Adrian Dunkley shared: “Our mission is to democratize access to AI by empowering communities, organizations, and youth with tools and education that drive real-world impact. AI should not be a privilege, but a power shared, fueling growth, learning, and a future where everyone rises” “At our core, we are not a tech company, we are a global problem solver using AI to uplift lives.” This philosophy is deeply rooted in the career of Adrian Dunkley, whose path to leadership has been shaped by decades of hands-on innovation and service. Reflecting on his journey, he shared: “My journey into technology began long before I entered the professional world, it started with a deep fascination with science fiction, Foundation, Star Wars and Star Trek were my first fascinations. As a child, I was captivated by stories of artificial intelligence and futuristic innovation. That Jun25090 Step into the world of StarApple AI, where cutting-edge intelligence meets community-driven impact. Under the leadership of Adrian Dunkley, visionary, philanthropist, and regional trailblazer, this Caribbean AI powerhouse is redefining access, empowerment, and economic transformation, earning Adrian the title of Most Innovative Artificial Intelligence CEO 2025 in our Global CEO Excellence Awards. D early curiosity evolved into a passion for understanding how technology could be used to make life better for real people.” He continued: “Before founding StarApple AI in 2019, I spent over a decade developing AI solutions for corporations and startups across industries like safety, finance, travel, retail, and more. My career has stretched across data science, risk management, and strategy—each chapter sharpening my ability to solve complex problems, lead through change, and, most importantly, build systems that deliver real impact.” But Adrian’s impact goes far beyond corporate leadership. He contributes a minimum of 20 hours each month to regional initiatives. “People often ask why, as a CEO of multiple companies, I still study, build A.I models, and spend time in the field. The answer is simple, leadership means staying connected to the work and the people it’s meant to serve. I do it so the next generation sees what’s possible, and because real innovation doesn’t come from distance. It comes from presence, practice, and putting in the time where it counts.” Adrian’s societal contributions span climate resilience, financial literacy, crime safety, and education reform. He serves on several social impact organizations including the board of Crime Stop Jamaica, supports STEM initiatives for at-risk students, and is a cofounder of Wandersafe, a global A.I safety platform protecting diverse communities in cities around the world. His work spans innovation, justice, and survival. Alongside his professional journey, Adrian has completed multiple degrees in Mathematics, Physics, Enterprise Risk and Financial Engineering. He is currently completing his PhD in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Sunderland, as well as an Advanced Degree in Climate Physics at the University of the West Indies. At StarApple AI, Adrian has built a unique culture from the ground up. With over 100 years of combined experience in artificial intelligence, the team he assembled is a rare blend of PhD scientists, technologists, artists, poets, musicians, and skilled tradespeople. This blend was no accident. It is the result of a deliberate vision to create a space where diverse minds work together to solve realworld problems with creativity and precision. Adrian established a culture where everyone has a voice, where every perspective is respected, and where collaboration is fueled by both curiosity and expertise. The environment he created values both excellence and empathy, allowing the team to operate with depth, agility, and purpose. As Adrian puts it, “For all my years in AI, the part that has meant the most is human connection. What matters is not just what we build, but how it helps people grow and connect.” That philosophy is at the heart of initiatives like The Genius Project, which has already generated dozens of new jobs across sectors. Each program and product developed at StarApple reflects this deeper focus on people. From strategy to implementation, Adrian ensures the work is always rooted in impact, inclusion, and transformation. “We ensure our solutions are humancentered. When we build with people in mind, we do more than solve the problems we can see, we build systems that can solve the problems of tomorrow” Established on the belief that AI should serve people instead of replacing them, StarApple AI’s work spans a large assortment of sectors such as financial, entertainment and youth development to enterprise automation and public sector innovation, to create the opportunity for transformation no matter what a client is trying to achieve. Positively impacting people’s success rates, the team at StarApple AI’s core pillars act as a buttress for growth. From human-centred AI solutions to local innovation with global standards, sustainable growth partnerships to smart techniques to stay on track, objectives and key results to agile methodology, and impact evaluation to a continuous learning culture, the company partners with governments, schools, NPOs, and privatesector enterprises to create a butterfly effect that will stand the test of time. Uplifting, transforming, and instilling confidence for clients, StarApple AI uses its experience, across its
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