AI adoption grows on Guam while workforce faces new demands

By Ron Rocky Coloma

Five years from now, the way a hotel on Tumon Bay checks in guests could look dramatically different.

The process might start with an AI-powered chatbot handling the reservation. A facial recognition kiosk could greet guests at the entrance, instantly confirming their booking. Luggage? It might be ferried to the room by a compact, whirring robot. But behind that seamless experience will still be a person—a programmer, a data analyst, an operations manager—making sure the technology runs smoothly.

That vision of Guam’s future isn’t a distant dream. It’s a pending reality, according to Dr. Roseann M. Jones, dean of the School of Business and Public Administration at the University of Guam. She said the question isn’t whether AI will change the workforce on the island. It’s how—and how fast—the community is prepared to adjust.

Roseann Jones

“The integration of AI on Guam has two effects: automating routine tasks in sectors like retail and hospitality while generating opportunities in tech support, data analysis and AI implementation,” Jones said in a recent interview with the Pacific Island Times. “Businesses who are adopting AI tools are seeing efficiency gains of 15 percent to 30 percent, but this requires strategic workforce transition planning which Guam needs.”

Guam’s path to an AI-enhanced economy differs from that of the mainland. While major markets have embraced remote work and large-scale automation, Guam’s transformation is shaped by local realities—slower internet speeds, a heavy reliance on hospitality jobs and a military presence that alters demand for specialized tech skills.

“Guam’s workforce is uniquely influenced by the military presence, creating demand for specialized skills in defense-related technologies and cybersecurity,” Jones said.

“Employment in the hospitality industry is forecast to see workforce reductions due to increased automation and AI.”

This duality means the island must prepare for a complex transition—one that reduces reliance on jobs most susceptible to automation while cultivating careers in emerging sectors. It also demands a workforce that is more versatile than specialized.

“Unlike global markets, our limited scale requires Guam professionals to develop broader skill sets rather than deep specialization,” Jones said.

For young professionals, this means getting comfortable with technology—fast. Jones pointed to a shrinking half-life of skills: once around five years, now down to two or three. Skills in data analysis, cloud computing and basic programming are no longer optional. They’re foundational.

“Adaptability and learning agility will be crucial,” Jones said. “Cross-cultural communication skills are especially valuable for Guam’s professionals who understand variations in business practices.”

“Problem-solving abilities that combine generative data with human judgment are important,” she added. “Entrepreneurial thinking is vital, as smaller markets like Guam will see growth in self-employment and micro-enterprises, especially among younger workers.”

Educators are beginning to respond to these shifts, though the pace isn’t uniform. The University of Guam has expanded its computer science and cybersecurity programs. Guam Community College has introduced new IT certification tracks. Coding bootcamps are sprouting, and mentorship programs are being piloted in partnership with local businesses.

Still, the system has a long way to go.

“We have major gaps,” Jones said. “Critical gaps include insufficient K-12 STEM education infrastructure, limited advanced technical training opportunities and underdeveloped industry-education partnerships.”

“We need increased investment in digital infrastructure at schools, with improved internet reliability that integrates learning from home, school and work,” she added.

Training teachers to integrate technology meaningfully into classrooms is another hurdle. But Jones said there are bright spots. Several pilot programs have shown promise, especially those offering real-world internships and connecting students directly to local tech employers.

Some sectors are already feeling the ripple effects of technological change.

“AI-driven personalization, contactless service and automated booking systems will transform customer-facing roles while creating new positions in experience design and data analysis,” Jones said. “Automated inventory management and cashier-less checkout will reduce certain positions while emphasizing customer experience roles.”

“Document processing automation will significantly impact government and private sector clerical positions, requiring retraining toward analysis and customer service,” she added.

Jones said health care is another space to watch. AI won’t replace doctors, but diagnostic tools will assist them, improving outcomes and speeding up routine care. That could help address chronic physician shortages in underserved areas. The challenge, again, will be retraining.

“Preparation strategies should include phased technology adoption plans, transparent communication with employees and proactive reskilling initiatives,” Jones said.

Jones cited the Guam Economic Development Authority’s Digital Transformation Grant program as one example of a policy push in the right direction. But she stressed the need for more aggressive action at the government level.

“Policy priorities could include tax incentives for employee training programs, streamlined regulatory frameworks for technology adoption and reskilling measures for vulnerable workers. The government’s role in providing digital infrastructure is critical, particularly improving islandwide connectivity for remote work and student learning,” Jones said.

One solution she champions is stronger public-private collaboration, like the recently launched Technology Incubator project. Programs like these, she said, align the interests of government, academia and the private sector to incubate solutions tailor-made for Guam.

But Jones also urged decision-makers to consider the island’s cultural values when designing its tech-forward future. Guam’s strength, she said, lies in its ability to blend modern innovation with deeply rooted community ethics.

“CHamoru values of inafa’maolek can guide ethical technology adoption that considers community impacts,” Jones said.

“Extended family structures provide natural support networks during career transitions.”

“Traditional practices can be preserved and promoted through digital documentation, creating cultural technology opportunities,” she added. “Intergenerational knowledge transfer can be enhanced through digital storytelling and virtual reality experiences.”

Job loss remains a concern. The automation of entry-level and routine roles in tourism, retail and clerical fields could displace hundreds in the coming years. But Jones emphasized the difference between replacement and augmentation. Responsible transition planning, she said, can ease the shock.

“Implement responsible AI adoption timeframes that allow for workforce transition - three- to five-year horizon planning,” Jones said. “Develop early identification systems for at-risk positions, and create corresponding retraining pathways.”

“Focus on ‘augmentation’ rather than ‘replacement’ approaches where technology enhances human capabilities, especially in the hospitality industry,” she added. “Create transition support programs, including financial assistance during retraining periods.”

For professionals already in the workforce, the call is urgent.

“Dedicate five to 10 hours weekly to upskilling, focusing on transferable digital competencies relevant across sectors,” Jones said. “Develop uniquely human skills that complement rather than compete with AI: complex problem-solving, ethical judgment, creative thinking and emotional intelligence.”

The vision she paints for Guam’s next decade is ambitious but grounded.

“A digitally enabled workforce that effectively uses technology while maintaining Guam’s cultural strengths and community focus,” Jones said. “Key milestones include doubling the number of technology professionals on island, establishing Guam as a Pacific hub for remote work and creating a seamless education-to-career pipeline for digital skills.”

“AI technology use could advance a more diversified economy less dependent on tourism and military spending,” she added.

At its core, Jones said, Guam’s transformation isn’t just about gadgets and software. It’s about people - how they learn, adapt, support one another and prepare for a future that’s already arriving.

In the end, even in a world of smart sensors and predictive algorithms, the most valuable asset might still be human judgment.

And that hotel guest in Tumon, guided by machines, may never see the person who made the stay seamless. But they’ll benefit from a workforce that is evolving, equipped and quietly shaping a new Guam behind the scenes.

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