1st CTU Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum
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July 23, 2026 - July 24, 2026
Venue: The University Inn Conference Centre, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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:
- Officially launch and promote the CAITF Final Report
- Promote regional harmonization on AI governance and priorities and implementation partnerships
- Facilitate multi-stakeholder AI dialogue and innovation showcasing across the region
- Establish the Caribbean AI Forum as a recurring regional platform
Event at a Glance
| Dates: | 23 – 24 July 2026 | Time: | 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (AST) |
| Modality: | Hybrid | Venue: | The University Inn Conference Centre, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago |
| Audience: | Policy makers and regulators, private sector, academia, DFIs, NGOs and youth | ||
Contact Information
For further information, please contact the CTU Caribbean AI Forum Planning Committee at caif@ctu.int. Additional information, including registration, and detailed agenda, will be posted to the event website.
Call to Action
The CTU invites governments, regulators, industry leaders, development partners, academia, civil society, youth and other interested stakeholders to join CAIF 2026 as active partners in shaping a responsible, inclusive and Caribbean-centred AI future. Together, we can move from policy ambition to coordinated regional action, ensuring that AI strengthens Caribbean sovereignty, competitiveness, resilience and sustainable development.
1st Caribbean AI Forum (CAIF) 2026
23rd – 24th July 2026
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad & Tobago
| Time (AST) | Session |
| Day 1: Thursday 23 July 2026 | The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago | |
| 08:00-09:00 | Registration |
| 09:00-09:02 | Safety Briefing |
| 09:02-09:10 | Welcome Remarks |
| 09:10-09:30 | Towards Regional Harmonization: The Caribbean AI Task Force |
| 09:30-09:45 | Keynote Address: Headline Sponsor |
| 09:45-09:55 | Cultural Interlude |
| 09:55-10:20 | Feature Address: The Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Final Report Launch: Caribbean AI Task Force |
| 10:20-10:40 | Coffee Break & Group Photos |
| 10:40-11:20 | High‑Level Panel: Turning the Work of the CAITF into Collective Action |
| 11:20-12:00 | National AI Movements: Trends, Opportunities & Lessons Learnt |
| 12:00-13:00 | LUNCH |
| 13:00-13:45 | Human‑Centric, Rights‑Based & Ethical AI |
| 13:45-14:25 | Data Sovereignty, Cybersecurity & AI Infrastructure |
| 14:25-15:15 | Culture, Creatives, Intellectual Property & AI |
| 15:15-15:30 | Coffee Break |
| 15:30-16:10 | Sponsored Session |
| 16:10-17:30 | Women in AI |
| 17:20-17:30 | Day 1 Wrap-up |
| 17:30-20:00 | Networking & Cocktail Reception |
| End of Day 1 | |
| Day 2: Friday 24 July 2026 | The University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago | |
| 08:00-09:00 | CAITF Breakfast Meeting: Debrief & Future Work (by invite only) |
| 09:00-09:05 | Day 1 Recap & Day 2 Kick-off |
| 09:05-10:15 | Youth Debate |
| 10:15-10:35 | Coffee Break |
| 10:35-11:10 | Driving AI Development in SIDS: The Role of Intergovernmental Organizations in Multilateral Development |
| 11:10-12:00 | Sponsor Panel 2 (China/France) |
| 12:00-13:00 | Lunch |
| 13:00-13:50 | AI Literacy, Youth & the Future Workforce |
| 13:50-14:40 | Sponsor Panel 3 (TBC) |
| 14:40-15:15 | AI for Climate Resilience & Disaster Risk Reduction |
| 15:15-15:40 | Coffee Break |
| 15:40-16:40 | Roundtable Discussion: AI for Economic Transformation |
| 16:30-17:20 | Panel Discussion: Fostering Development & Economic Growth through Inter-regional Cooperation |
| 17:20-17:30 | Next Steps & Wrap-up |
| 17:30-20:00 | Closing Cocktail (Venue TBC) |
| End of CAIF 2026 | |
 Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Sen. Hon. Dominic Smith Senator the Honourable Dominic Alexander Smith serves as Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence. Appointed to the Senate and Cabinet in 2025, he brings a distinguished background in digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and public service. A graduate of the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine, Minister Smith holds a Master’s degree in Economics. His leadership journey began early and has remained focused on national transformation through technology, efficiency, and equity. In his current role, he is responsible for modernizing government operations, improving service delivery through digital tools, and advancing the nation’s Artificial Intelligence strategy, supporting the Government’s vision of citizen-centered, innovation-driven governance. Before entering Cabinet, Minister Smith founded a Digital Consultancy Company in Port of Spain that supported organizations in digital transformation, content strategy, and data analytics. His work in the private sector has helped shape people-focused, data-driven growth across industries. He previously served as a Temporary Opposition Senator and was the United National Congress (UNC) candidate for Malabar/Mausica in the 2025 General Elections, where he dramatically closed a longstanding vote gap, earning recognition for his grassroots engagement and tireless work ethic. Minister Smith is a champion of youth empowerment, inclusive innovation, and technology-driven economic development. He brings a dynamic, solutions-oriented vision to his portfolio, grounded in patriotism, compassion, and an unwavering belief in the potential of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. |
 Managing Director, Spectrum Management Authority Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton Dr. Maria Myers-Hamilton is a telecommunications regulator and ICT leader with more than three decades of experience across finance, energy, education, and spectrum governance. As Managing Director of Jamaica’s Spectrum Management Authority since 2018, she has driven a programme of regulatory modernisation and digital inclusion — releasing low-band spectrum to expand affordable rural coverage, automating end-to-end licensing with artificial intelligence, and building the most extensive national spectrum-monitoring network in the Caribbean. Her earlier career spans mission-critical ICT leadership in Jamaica’s financial sector and her historic appointment as the first woman to serve as Director of Information Systems at the Jamaica Public Service Company. Today she is a recognised regional voice in radiocommunication, serving as Third Vice-Chair of the CITEL PCC.II working group preparing for WRC-27, Chair of a CTU Task Force, and Vice- President of the EU–LAC Network of Women Leaders in Digital Policy. A committed champion for women in technology and for meaningful connectivity across small island developing states, her guiding conviction is simple: technology must serve people, and no community should be left on the wrong side of the digital divide. |
 Lead Data Scientist, Republic Bank Limited Julie Koon Koon Julie Koon Koon is a Lead Data Scientist specializing in applied artificial intelligence, machine learning, and advanced analytics. She develops intelligent, data-driven solutions that transform business processes, support strategic decision-making, and deliver measurable value within the financial services sector. Julie also serves as a lecturer at SBCS Global Learning Institute, where she teaches data science, analytics, and computing. She holds a First Class Honours BSc in Computer Science and Management, an MSc in Data Science with Merit, and an MBA with Distinction specializing in Business Analytics. An IEEE-published researcher, Julie has presented her work on AI-driven recommendation systems and banking innovation at international conferences. Passionate about advancing responsible AI adoption across the Caribbean, she is committed to bridging the gap between research and industry while mentoring the next generation of data and AI professionals. |
 Lecturer/Researcher, The University of the West Indies Dr. Letetia Mary Addison Dr. Letetia Mary Addison is an award-winning statistician, educator and researcher at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus. She is Deputy Chair of the Advisory Board of the UWI Disaster Risk Reduction Centre and serves as UNESCO’s Lead National Expert for the Trinidad and Tobago Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment. Her research lies at the intersection of responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence, applied statistics and climate-health resilience. Dr. Addison leads AI4SIDS, an award-winning initiative exploring the potential of AI-driven early warning systems to strengthen disaster preparedness and risk reduction in Small Island Developing States, recognised through the Global AI Innovation Grand Challenge at COP29. As founder and Ambassador of Women in Data Science Trinidad and Tobago (WiDS TT) and AI in Climate Lead within the TTLAB Data Science Group, she actively mentors young people pursuing careers and developing solutions in data science, AI and technology across the Caribbean. |
 Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Dr. Justin Koo Justin is a Tenured Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Prior to joining UWI, Justin was a Visiting Lecturer at King’s College London and a Teaching Fellow at University College London (UCL). Justin’s primary research interest is focused on copyright law and he has published books and articles in the area, as well as drafted copyright laws for the Caribbean region. Justin also has interests in trade mark law, sports law and entertainment law. Justin was awarded the UWI’s ‘Most Outstanding Faculty Researcher’ in Law at the Principal’s Research Awards 2024. Justin’s research has been cited by the Court of Justice of the European Union, in leading intellectual property books and he has drafted multiple copyright laws and regulations in the English-speaking Caribbean. |
 Associate Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean Mr. Demetris Herakleous Demetris Herakleous is an Associate Economic Affairs Officer at the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean. He coordinates the eLAC Digital Agenda Working Group for the Caribbean. His research focuses on artificial intelligence governance, national AI agendas for productivity and development in Latin America and the Caribbean, and issues related to digital sovereignty and digital resilience. |
 Industrial Business Leader Riard Mohammed Riard Mohammed is an accomplished industrial business leader and automation professional. Based out of Trinidad and Tobago, he has over 30 years of extensive experience in the international oil and gas sector, process plant automation, and digital technology solutions. Career & Leadership Highlights He has lead a major Global Automation Provider across the Caribbean for over 25 years, supporting key industrial and upstream energy customers in Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, and Barbados. As an Engineer he participated in the implementation of Automation systems for BP’s offshore facilities supplying Atlantic LNG, including the Mahogany A and B platforms. Earlier in his career, he spent 7 years as an automation engineer at Fertrin/Arcadian (now Nutrien), where he successfully implemented the first Distributed Control System (DCS) in Trinidad. Business Advocacy: He is an active figure in the local business community, maintaining involvement with corporate networks like the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago Education Master of Business Administration (MBA): Sustainable Energy Management from the Arthur Lok Jack GSB. Bachelor of Science (BSc): Earned in Electrical Engineering from the UWI. |
 Head of Fujitsu’s operations in the Caribbean Mervyn Eyre Mervyn Eyre serves as head of Fujitsu’s operations in the Caribbean, where he is responsible for managing the strategic direction and general management of its business in this region. He has also assumed a number of global roles including the Head the International Business Strategy Office (IBSO) head quartered in Japan and Head of Managed Infrastructure Services (MIS) in North America. Leveraging more than 30 years of experience in the global ICT industry, Mervyn has been instrumental in leading the introduction of managed and cloud-based digital services in the Caribbean region including Infrastructure Services, Enterprise Application Services and more recently AI adoption and Business Automation. Building on deep experience in driving Human Centric Digital Transformation, Mervyn is now leading the way in fulfilling Fujitsu’s purpose of driving sustainability transformation for both businesses and society. |
