The Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (MPAAI) has called for stronger regional collaboration to support the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence across the Caribbean. Delivering the feature remarks on behalf of Senator the Honourable Dominic Smith, Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Jaya Ramoutar, Executive Portfolio Manager at the MPAAI, said greater cooperation could help Caribbean countries improve public services, strengthen institutional capacity and support the responsible implementation of AI.
Addressing regional and international stakeholders under the theme “AI for Caribbean Transformation: Governance, Innovation and Resilience for a Shared Digital Future,” Ms. Ramoutar highlighted the need for reliable digital infrastructure, appropriate governance frameworks and sustained investment in skills development. She noted that approaches to AI should be informed by the region’s circumstances, development priorities and institutional capacity, while maintaining transparency, accountability and inclusion.
Ms. Ramoutar also provided an overview of Trinidad and Tobago’s national digital transformation agenda, including VerifyTT, Community AI Centres and digital skills training for public officers. She noted that these initiatives are intended to support more efficient public services and strengthen the country’s capacity to adopt emerging technologies responsibly.
Ms. Ramoutar said closer regional cooperation could help Caribbean countries address common challenges associated with AI adoption. She identified opportunities for collaboration in areas such as policy development, digital public infrastructure, technical expertise, skills training and investment planning.
She added that sharing knowledge and experience could help countries avoid duplication, build on successful initiatives and contribute more effectively to discussions on global AI governance. “Regional collaboration gives Caribbean countries an opportunity to share expertise, learn from one another and develop approaches to AI that are practical, responsible and suited to our circumstances,” Ms. Ramoutar said.
The Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum, hosted by the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) in collaboration with The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, brought together government officials, policymakers, academia, industry leaders and international partners to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence in advancing sustainable development across the region.
The forum underscored the importance of continued regional collaboration as Caribbean nations work together to harness Artificial Intelligence for sustainable economic growth, resilient public services and improved quality of life.