Four Priorities for a Digitally Empowered Nation
Engage. Execute. Evolve.
By AMCHAM T&T Staff Writer
Trinidad and Tobago’s current Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Dominic Alexander Smith, delivered a decisive call to action at the THIS conference: the time for digital transformation is now, and standing still is no longer an option.
“For small island nations, speed means more than progress—it means survival and diversification. We must catch up, stay ahead and build systems that are both resilient and scalable to our unique needs,” the Minister said as he outlined four strategic priorities designed to empower citizens, modernise government, and foster innovation across Trinidad and Tobago.
1. Modernising the Public Service
“At the heart of digital transformation is a modern, efficient, citizen-centric Public Service.”
Smith acknowledged that bureaucracy, inefficiencies and fragmented systems have long frustrated citizens. But change is underway in form of digitisation of records, process streamlining, and introduction of secure digital identity systems to make services more accessible and user-friendly. From birth certificates to business registration, expanded electronic platforms will soon allow citizens to access services online—efficiently and securely.
2. Building a Resilient Digital Government Infrastructure
Modernisation cannot succeed without robust infrastructure. The government’s investments will focus on nationwide broadband connectivity, secure cloud-based platforms, open data frameworks and safe and resilient systems.
“Our goal is a connected, interoperable Government—where agencies can collaborate, data flows securely and real-time decisions improve service delivery.” Smith also stressed that digital inclusion must be a cornerstone, ensuring marginalised and underserved communities are not left behind.
3. Fostering Innovation Through AI
“AI should augment, not replace, human capability. It should enable Public Servants to focus on high-value, people-centred work.”
The government intends to support AI innovation hubs and incubators, nurturing home-grown solutions designed for Caribbean realities. With opportunities ranging from predictive healthcare analytics to intelligent traffic systems, the Minister emphasised that AI adoption must balance innovation with ethics, privacy and security.
4. Strengthening Public-Private Collaboration
“No Government can do this alone,” Smith said. Collaboration with the private sector, regional partners, and international allies will be critical to sustaining transformation. The Minister called on stakeholders to co-create digital policies, establish R&D labs, expand workforce training initiatives, and open government data to fuel entrepreneurship.
In closing, Minister Smith urged urgency and collective responsibility. “Standing still is not an option anymore,” he declared. “We must catch up, stay ahead and build systems that are both resilient and scalable to our unique needs.”