Trinidad and Tobago’s digital transformation will depend on collaboration between government, business and citizens, Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Dominic Smith said on Tuesday, arguing that the country’s success in the digital economy could not be driven by the Government alone.
He made the remarks yesterday at the American Chamber of Commerce T&T’s Tech Hub Island Summit (THIS) conference, themed “Impact”, at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
“We rely on your involvement, your inclusion and your efforts in what can be considered the next revolution in a globally changing world,” he said.
Smith said the country has now reached a pivotal stage where the debate is no longer whether technology should be embraced but whether it is being used to create meaningful change.
The minister also noted that the country’s digital transformation should not be measured by the sophistication of its technology, but by how effectively it improves the lives of citizens and strengthens the economy.
Appealing to delegates and the wider audience, Smith said: “My challenge to you over the next few days is to really consider what has been your impact. What have you done to better T&T? What have you done to inspire future generations? What have you done in the technology space to make improvements in people’s lives?”
He also referenced the conference’s “Impact” theme and argued that impact demands far more than conversation.
“Impact requires action. It requires vision. It requires self-awareness. It requires collective thought. Impact requires us to ask how valuable our contribution has been to national development and whether we have been willing to set aside personal ambitions in favour of national ambitions.”
“Impact is not defined by the sophistication of the systems we build or the speed of our technology. It is defined by whether those technologies improve the quality of life of our citizens, strengthen the performance of institutions, enhance the competitiveness of our businesses and expand opportunities for future generations.”
He stressed that while AI has become a global talking point, T&T has already begun laying the groundwork for meaningful implementation.
“Since the inception of the Ministry of Public Administration and AI, we have been in the conversation. We have been in the dialogue. We have set the tone for what a truly inspired AI ministry can be,” Smith said.
He noted that while digital transformation is more than introducing new technology, success will be measured by practical outcomes.
“It is measured by the time citizens save, the confidence they have in public institutions and the ease with which they can interact with Government,” he said.
Among the Government’s flagship initiatives is Verify TT, which Smith described as one of the foundation pillars of the country’s digital public infrastructure (DPI).
He said Verify TT will eventually support a wide range of digital Government services, including digital birth and death certificates, online certificates of character, digitised land records, modernised passport systems and more integrated Government platforms.
“For far too long, accessing Government services has required citizens to complete the same forms repeatedly and provide the same documentation to different agencies,” he said.
Government’s digital infrastructure, he said, should instead allow citizens to “access and store information safely, verified and with confidence”.
He noted that institutions such as the World Bank have identified DPI as a key driver of inclusive digital transformation capable of reducing both the cost and time required to deliver public services.
Smith said countries that have successfully modernised Government have demonstrated that digital transformation depends “far less on technology itself than on leadership, culture, skills and organisational readiness”.
As part of that strategy, the ministry has partnered with the Ministry of Education to launch the Future Ready TT initiative, aimed at preparing citizens for an AI-driven economy.
“We are creating an environment where human capital is developed, the skills gap is reduced and citizens are empowered by technology,” he said.
Smith also stressed that technology should never replace humanity saying, “Technology must never surpass our humanity. Human intelligence comes first. Technology cannot perform on its own. We must train it. We must develop our systems. We must revamp our education system.”
Citing the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Future of Jobs Report, Smith noted that nearly 60% of workers’ core skills are expected to change by 2030 as AI reshapes economies worldwide.
“This is why workforce preparation must begin long before individuals enter the labour market. It must be embedded throughout the education system, reinforced through lifelong learning and supported by continuous professional development,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the Government’s international partnerships with countries including Estonia, Denmark, India and the United Arab Emirates, saying T&T does not need to “reinvent the wheel” when pursuing digital transformation.
He revealed that a recent AI pilot programme conducted with OpenAI and Grammarly within the public service produced significant productivity gains.
“We found an increase in productivity across workflows of 75%. That is a tremendous amount of efficiency that can be created,” said Smith.
He assured participants that Government remains committed to working alongside the private sector. “You have the support of the Government. You have the support of the Ministry of Public Administration and AI. Together we can improve the technological landscape,” he said.
Smith also highlighted that the country’s digital legacy should be judged by its impact on people.
---
Autor(en)/Author(s): Vishanna Phagoo
Dieser Artikel ist neu veröffentlicht von / This article is republished from: Trinidad Express, 01.07.2026
Bitte besuchen Sie/Please visit:
