Trinidad and Tobago is strengthening its position as a regional leader in Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), with the VerifyTT platform set to play a central role in transforming how citizens access government services, according to Senator the Honourable Dominic Smith, Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence.
Speaking during the 50-in-5 Hybrid Webinar hosted by iGovTT under the theme “The Caribbean Catalyst – VerifyTT and the Next Generation of Public Services,” Minister Smith said the Government is building trusted digital systems that will make public services more accessible, efficient and citizen-centred.
Minister Smith described VerifyTT as a foundational pillar of the country’s Digital Public Infrastructure, designed to reduce duplication, improve service delivery and give citizens and businesses faster, more secure access to government services. It forms part of a broader integrated ecosystem that includes a secure electronic identity (e-ID) programme, a Government Interoperability Platform enabling secure data sharing across public agencies, and the CareTT Mobile Benefits Wallet.
“Our success will not be measured by the number of technologies we introduce, but by whether citizens can access government services more easily, businesses can operate with fewer barriers, and public officers are better equipped to serve the people,” Minister Smith said.
The Minister also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to responsible artificial intelligence, open-source innovation, and building the institutional capacity needed to sustain digital transformation over the long term, stressing that technology alone will not transform a nation, people will.
He pointed to several initiatives supporting this goal, including FutureReadyTT, the Government’s partnership with OpenAI aimed at expanding AI literacy and innovation, and the rollout of Grammarly across the public service and education sector. According to Minister Smith, these efforts reflect the Ministry’s investment in the skills, confidence and capabilities needed to prepare the national workforce for the future economy.
Minister Smith noted that Trinidad and Tobago’s participation in the global 50-in-5 initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to adopting internationally recognised best practices for Digital Public Infrastructure. The webinar formed part of the country’s involvement in the initiative, a global campaign supporting countries in developing safe, secure and inclusive digital public infrastructure, with a goal of helping at least 50 countries advance key DPI components within five years through international collaboration, knowledge sharing and technical support.
Through partnerships with organisations including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI) and the 50-in-5 initiative, the country continues to strengthen its position as a regional leader in digital transformation, Minister Smith said, while contributing to global conversations on responsible artificial intelligence and digital government.