Minister Dominic Smith Defends Proposed AI Data Centre Amid Public Concerns
Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Dominic Smith says concerns about the environmental impact and feasibility of data centres in T&T are understandable but insists that the country is well-positioned to attract major investment.
His comments come following the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding to explore the development of AI infrastructure and data centre facilities.
In an exclusive interview with TTT News, Minister Smith said while discussions surrounding a proposed AI data centre project have generated questions about environmental impacts and the country’s ability to support such infrastructure, the initiative remains in its preliminary stages.
The Minister said the agreements signed so far are Memoranda of Understanding, intended to explore opportunities and assess what may be possible before any major development moves forward.
He noted that feasibility studies, technical analyses and other assessments will still be required as the project progresses.
« We take it step by step. This doesn’t prohibit feasibility studies, technical analysis, all of the essential pillars that have to be crossed eventually to get to the stage of this type of major project. People are well in their right to have their concerns and ask questions, and the government will provide transparent, open communication with the public as the projects progress. »
Despite those concerns, Minister Smith said the Government sees the proposal as a major opportunity to diversify the economy and tap into the growing digital sector.
Henoted that data centres can attract significant foreign investment while creating employment opportunities for citizens.
« Naturally, we see this as a big opportunity. You know, data centres will provide thousands of jobs. They provide hundreds of millions of US dollars in investment. So on the onset, we see it as an opportunity for us to tap into the digital economy and, you know, create some level of diversification for Trinidad and Tobago. »
The Minister said T&T’s advantages include its location outside the hurricane belt, available land and access to energy resources – factors that have made the country an attractive option for investors seeking new locations for AI infrastructure development.
« We are in a position where we have potential land, we have potential energy, we have a good geolocation, and so all of these factors contribute to investors seeing us as a key area that they want to invest funds in. And this can only be to the benefit of our citizens. One, that there is contemplation to bring FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) here, and then two, the government will, in its natural course, assess whether or not these opportunities are a good fit for Trinidad and Tobago. »
The Minister also described the investment as highly competitive, noting that investors could have chosen other locations but opted to engage with this country in discussions about the project.
« Trinidadians need to understand as well that this is a zero-sum game in terms of investment opportunity. Persons can choose any other country, and they’ve chosen Trinidad and Tobago because of the work of the government, because of the work of the Ministry in really advancing the AI technology revolution here. And so it’s a big thing for us to be part of this conversation. »
Minister Smith says the Government will continue evaluating the proposals and will keep the public informed as discussions, studies and assessments continue.
