Dedicated AI Data Centre Could Position T&T As Regional Digital Leader
A dedicated AI data centre could be key to positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a leader in the region’s digital economy.
That’s according to the Manager of the Project Management Unit at the Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Jaya Ramoutar, who says the country must invest now to keep pace with the rapidly expanding global AI sector.
Speaking on behalf of Minister Dominic Smith at the inaugural Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum 2026 at the UWI on Thursday, she said data centres are becoming critical assets in the digital age and stressed the need for the region to strengthen its digital capabilities.
« The Caribbean AI landscape will also have to respond to rapidly changing business models, evolving market forces and the growing importance of digital infrastructure. Compute capacity, cloud services, cybersecurity, data centres, broadband connectivity, energy reliability and regulatory certainty are no longer peripheral issues, they are central to competitiveness. »
She noted that this is one reason Trinidad and Tobago is exploring the development of a dedicated AI data centre in South Trinidad.
« This is precisely why Trinidad and Tobago is actively exploring the development and advancement of AI infrastructure, including the establishment of a dedicated AI data centre in Debe. We recognise that in the digital economy data centres are becoming as strategically important as ports, airports, industrial estates were to previous generations. »
She said data centres are becoming increasingly strategically important to modern economies, adding that the proposed facility could bring significant economic benefits.
« Such infrastructure has potential to attract high-value foreign direct investment, generate foreign exchange earnings, create skilled employment, stimulate innovation and position Trinidad and Tobago as a regional hub for artificial intelligence and digital services. »
Meanwhile, Executive Director of the UWI’s Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre, Craig Ramdial, warned that the Caribbean continues to lag behind in attracting investment in the AI sector.
« Despite the Latin American and Caribbean region, the full region, generating 6.6% of the global GDP, the region currently captures a mere 1.12% of global AI investment. That is nothing as compared to what is going on in other regions. Within the Caribbean sub-region, it’s way less. »
A founding member of the World Digital Governance Initiative, Graeme Thomson, emphasised the importance of digital sovereignty and protecting citizens’ data.
« We are committed to ensuring that data ownership lies first with each and every one of us, everybody in the room, every citizen in the region should own their own data, and the countries that they live in should be the stewards, they have a duty to be the stewards of that data and to protect it. That’s what we mean by digital sovereignty. »
The inaugural Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Forum 2026 brought together regional leaders and stakeholders to launch the Caribbean AI Task Force Final Report and advance a major regional conversation on how AI can strengthen public services, competitiveness, resilience and sustainable development.
