The Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) says the region must work together to ensure artificial intelligence (AI) is developed and adopted in a responsible way that supports innovation, resilience and economic growth.
According to a press release from the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, the CTU, in partnership with The University of the West Indies (UWI) St. Augustine Campus and the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre (AIIC), officially opened the first Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum (CAIF) 2026 on July 23.
The two-day forum, being held from July 23-24, 2026, is bringing together regional and international leaders, policymakers, academics, innovators, development agencies, youth representatives and private sector stakeholders under the theme “AI for Caribbean Transformation: Governance, Innovation and Resilience for a Shared Digital Future.”
The CTU said the forum represents an important milestone in the Caribbean’s digital transformation journey, providing a platform for discussion, collaboration and action on the future of artificial intelligence in the region.
A key part of the event is the launch of the Caribbean AI Task Force Report (CAITF), which provides recommendations to help guide regional AI policy and implementation. The forum is also examining important areas such as AI governance, cybersecurity, data sovereignty, education, ethics, climate resilience and economic development.
During the opening ceremony, speakers emphasized the need for regional cooperation, responsible governance and continued investment in innovation and skills development to ensure Caribbean countries can benefit from AI opportunities.
Representing Senator the Honourable Dominic Smith, Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence of Trinidad and Tobago and President of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union, Jaya Ramoutar said cooperation has always been central to Caribbean progress.
“The Caribbean has never succeeded by acting alone. Our greatest advances have always been achieved through regional cooperation. Across generations, Caribbean nations have advanced through collaboration, shared institutions, common advocacy, and a deep understanding that small states can exercise meaningful influence when we coordinate our efforts.”
She added, “That same spirit must now guide our approach to AI and digital transformation. The future we seek must be one of shared development, shared capability and shared success. We are already seeing the early signs of what is possible when digital systems are designed to connect people, institutions, and economies across borders.”
CTU Deputy Secretary-General Nigel Cassimire said the region needs a structured approach to ensure AI supports Caribbean priorities.
“AI must be harnessed to reduce our vulnerabilities and amplify our strengths. That requires a forum that sets the pace and the structure for action: standards that fit our scale, governance that protects our citizens, capacity development pathways that keep talent in the region, and financing models that help make pilot projects sustainable and scalable.”
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Campus Principal of UWI St. Augustine, highlighted the university’s longstanding role in AI development, noting that its Faculty of Engineering hosted the Caribbean’s first AI conference in 1989.
“As a regional university, we have always been committed to advancing knowledge in service of society. Indeed, some of you may not be aware, but our Campus has a proud and longstanding history of leadership in AI that stretches back decades. Long before the global surge in interest in AI, the Faculty of Engineering hosted the Caribbean’s first AI conference in 1989, establishing a foundation for innovation and scholarship that continues to this day. A couple of years ago, I found out this well-kept secret… the tremendous AI expertise and creativity housed right here and I vowed to support its development.”
Dr. Craig Ramlal, Chair of the Caribbean AI Task Force and Executive Director of AIIC, said regional collaboration will be essential as the Caribbean seeks to build a competitive AI ecosystem.
“The Caribbean cannot afford to remain on the sidelines of the AI revolution. Our markets may be small individually, but together we have the scale to develop harmonised AI policies, strengthen regional innovation, protect our data sovereignty and build an AI ecosystem that reflects Caribbean priorities. The work of the Caribbean AI Task Force demonstrates that regional cooperation is not simply desirable—it is essential if the Caribbean is to compete and thrive in the global digital economy.”
The CTU said discussions during the forum will focus on areas including AI governance for small states, national AI initiatives, intellectual property, cybersecurity, ethical AI, women in AI, AI literacy, workforce development, climate resilience and economic transformation.
Organizers expect the forum to result in practical recommendations that will support policy coordination, encourage innovation, strengthen regional capacity and help position the Caribbean as a leader in the responsible and inclusive development of artificial intelligence.
