Theme: AI for Caribbean Transformation: Governance, Innovation and Resilience for a Shared Digital Future

Background

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies, public services, education, creative industries, security, climate resilience and the wider digital development landscape. For the Caribbean, AI presents a major opportunity to advance inclusive growth, improve public service delivery, strengthen disaster risk management, expand access to skills and enhance regional competitiveness. However, without coordinated policy action, the region risks deepening existing digital divides, weakening data sovereignty, increasing dependence on external technology platforms and remaining a “standards-taker” in the global AI ecosystem.

In July 2025, the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) launched the Caribbean AI Task Force (CAITF) to guide ethical, inclusive and responsible AI development across the region. The Task Force was established to support harmonised AI policies and regulatory frameworks, build regional AI capacity, promote responsible AI aligned with sustainable development, and strengthen collaboration among governments, academia, the private sector, civil society and youth.

The CAITF Interim Report, Toward Harmonised AI Policies and Recommendations for the Caribbean, calls for a coordinated CARICOM-wide response to AI governance and implementation. It highlights the Caribbean’s “connectivity paradox”, where strong digital engagement is constrained by fragile infrastructure, high connectivity costs, fragmented regulation and limited data governance. The report identifies five priority areas for action: regional AI governance, data sovereignty and digital infrastructure, innovation and industry development, human capacity and AI literacy, and sustained multi-stakeholder engagement.

The inaugural Caribbean AI Forum 2026 (CAIF 2026) will serve as the flagship regional platform for launching the CAITF Final Report and advancing its recommendations. This Forum will convene policymakers, regulators, development partners, private sector leaders, academia, civil society, youth and other key stakeholders to support a harmonised, ethical and Caribbean-centred AI ecosystem. It is envisioned not as a one-off event, but as the first edition of a recurring regional platform for dialogue, implementation and global positioning.

Aims and Objectives

The inaugural CAIF 2026, aims to position the Caribbean as a coordinated, multi-stakeholder, proactive and responsible actor in the global AI ecosystem. Its specific objectives are to:

1. Officially launch and promote the CAITF Final Report
2. Promote regional harmonization on AI governance and priorities and implementation partnerships
3. Facilitate multi-stakeholder AI dialogue and innovation showcasing across the region
4. Establish the Caribbean AI Forum as a recurring regional platform

Event at a Glance

1^st Caribbean AI Forum (CAIF) 2026

23 – 24 July 2026