The government of Trinidad and Tobago is collaborating with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote the responsible and effective development of artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative, announced by Dominic Smith, the Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, aims to assess the nation’s readiness for AI integration, with key sessions scheduled from January 19 to 23, and additional activities set for February.
A statement released by the Ministry on January 16 outlines the importance of ensuring that AI technologies are beneficial for all citizens. This effort follows previous initiatives, such as the launch of the national AI Assessment on November 26, which marked the beginning of the AI Landscape Assessment (AILA) led by UNDP. The AILA is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for identifying the opportunities, challenges, and gaps related to AI adoption in Trinidad and Tobago.
“AILA provides a holistic and practical framework for identifying opportunities, gaps, and challenges related to AI adoption,” the statement noted. The methodology will culminate in a national report that will offer actionable recommendations and a roadmap for integrating AI across key sectors, including health, education, and public service.
The next phase of this national initiative involves the rollout of UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), beginning with the distribution of a multi-stakeholder survey. This survey invites participation from leaders, professionals, and organizations across public and private sectors, academia, civil society, and youth groups. It aims to evaluate Trinidad and Tobago’s preparedness for AI within five critical dimensions: legal and regulatory, technological and infrastructural, societal and cultural, scientific and educational, and economic.
The data collected through this survey will be vital in shaping national AI policy and formulating strategic recommendations. Such measures are intended to ensure that future AI initiatives are grounded in ethics, human rights, inclusion, and transparency. The findings from the survey will be further examined during sector-specific consultation sessions set for January 19 to 23, where stakeholders will have the opportunity to validate results, share insights, and propose targeted actions relevant to their sectors.
The outcomes of these surveys and consultations will be consolidated for review at a national Validation Workshop scheduled for February 27 at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine. This workshop will convene government officials, researchers, industry experts, and key stakeholders to discuss the findings, identify strengths and gaps, and agree on actionable next steps to guide Trinidad and Tobago’s AI journey.
Through these collaborative efforts, the government aims to ensure that AI is adopted in a way that not only fosters innovation but also protects individual rights and privacy. As the country navigates the complexities of AI integration, these initiatives signify a commitment to harnessing technology for meaningful and sustainable national development.
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