Across the world, technology is driving change faster than any of us could have imagined. Artificial intelligence, automation and digital tools are reshaping industries, creating new opportunities — and new inequalities.

In Bermuda, the question is not whether technology will define our future, but whether our people will be prepared to lead in it.

At Connectech Coding, we have seen what happens when opportunity meets exposure. Since our founding, we have introduced more than 9,000 students across the public school system to coding, robotics and digital literacy. We have watched children who had never touched a computer learn to code their own games, design robots and solve problems creatively. Their confidence grows, their curiosity expands and, suddenly, the future feels within reach.

But we have also seen the other side: too many young people in Bermuda still lack consistent access to technology education. Too many classrooms remain under-resourced or reliant on outdated tools. Too many adults feel left behind in a digital economy that moves faster than training opportunities allow.

The digital divide isn’t just about who owns a laptop; it’s about who has the skills to participate meaningfully in the modern world.

At Connectech, we believe technology education is not an optional enrichment; it’s a core skill that is as essential as reading and mathematics. Every child deserves the opportunity to understand how the technology around them works, how to use it responsibly and how to create with it.

The results speak for themselves. Students in Connectech’s programmes show up to 90 per cent improvement between pre and post-assessments. Many go on to pursue Stem studies, explore new career paths or simply gain the confidence to navigate an increasingly digital world.

One Whitney Institute Middle School student told us: “I didn’t think I could do this, but this class has made me realise that I can invent and build things and create a future for Bermuda.”

Those words capture what drives us every day.

Technology education isn’t only about preparing for future jobs; it’s about empowerment. It teaches children that they do not just have to consume technology; they can build it, shape it and use it to solve real problems in their own communities. For adults, it’s about adaptability and lifelong learning — skills that are crucial in an economy where digital transformation touches every industry.

We cannot afford to leave anyone behind. Bermuda’s strength lies in the readiness of its people — and our future depends on how well we equip ours. Preparing for that future requires more than classrooms and computers; it requires collaboration across government, education and the private sector. That is why Connectech also provides bespoke professional development and corporate training, helping Bermuda’s workforce stay agile and competitive.

Every business, every school and every family have a role to play. Invest in access. Support teacher training. Mentor a young coder. Advocate for technology education in every school. These small actions add up to systemic change.

At Connectech Coding, we are committed to building a Bermuda where everyone — young or old — can thrive in a digital world. Together, we can close the digital divide, unlock creativity and prepare our people not just to adapt to change, but to lead it.

The future isn’t coming — it’s already here. Let’s make sure Bermuda is ready for it.

• Sloane Johnson is the executive director of Connectech Coding