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Bridging Innovation & Application:
AMCHAM T&T & UWI Partner To Advance 
AI in the Caribbean  ​
By AMCHAM T&T Staff Writer


LINKAGE Q1 (2026) - REVITALISATION & TRANSFORMATION
In a significant move to strengthen the region’s digital future, the American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) and the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre (AIIC) at The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
More than a ceremonial agreement, this partnership signals a deliberate shift toward deeper collaboration between industry and academia—one that aims to accelerate the adoption, development, and governance of artificial intelligence (AI) in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean.
At its core, the collaboration is designed to bridge a longstanding gap: translating innovation into practical, real-world application. By aligning the strengths of the private sector with academic expertise, the partnership creates a platform for advancing AI in a way that is both commercially relevant and socially responsible.
From Potential to Practice
The scope of the MoU reflects a comprehensive and forward-looking agenda. Joint initiatives will span research and development, corporate AI and cybersecurity policy frameworks, and national policy recommendations focused on AI governance and digital trade. The partnership also prioritises capacity building through training programmes, micro-credentials, and public education campaigns—ensuring that businesses and professionals are equipped to engage meaningfully with emerging technologies.
Importantly, the collaboration extends beyond theory. Co-hosted events, technical workshops, and innovation showcases—integrated with AMCHAM T&T’s Tech Hub Islands Summit (T.H.I.S.)—will create opportunities for dialogue, demonstration, and experimentation. The inclusion of pilot projects and industry-led AI solutions further reinforces the focus on execution and measurable impact.
Speaking on the significance of the partnership, AMCHAM T&T CEO Nirad Tewarie highlighted the untapped potential of closer collaboration between academia and industry:
“A closer partnership between Industry and Academia represents a powerful but still largely untapped opportunity to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world application. This collaboration will enable our members and the wider private sector to better understand, adopt, and scale AI-driven solutions in a practical and responsible way.”
A Regional Imperative
For The University of the West Indies, the partnership reflects a broader ambition—to reposition the Caribbean as a creator, rather than a consumer, of technology.
Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor of the St. Augustine Campus, underscored this shift: “This partnership represents a deliberate shift from being consumers of technology to becoming creators of responsible, indigenous AI solutions shaped by our own realities… ensuring that AI development in the Caribbean is grounded in innovation, ethics, and impact.”
That vision is closely aligned with the work of the AIIC, which has emerged as the Caribbean’s leading hub for artificial intelligence research and innovation. Since its establishment in 2018, the Centre has grown into a multidisciplinary network of over 50 members, with more than 35 active projects and partnerships across 20 institutions. Its work spans critical areas such as cybersecurity, agriculture, climate resilience, digital humanities, and AI governance.
Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem
While the region has made progress in digital adoption, one of its persistent challenges has been translating research into commercial outcomes. This partnership seeks to address that gap directly.
Dr. Craig Ramlal, Executive Director of the AIIC, emphasised the importance of strengthening the link between ideas and implementation: “In the face of a poor research to commercialisation ethos throughout the region, the AIIC remains committed to developing the relationship between cutting edge ideas and digital products and goods, and we hope that this partnership will play a pivotal role in reversing this.”
He also highlighted the role of policy and capacity building in driving meaningful adoption:
“We emphasise the importance of policy as an integral part of AI in the business sector… and through this partnership, we are also exploring what an AI and Policy guidebook can look like for companies and organisations.”
Driving a Digital Future
The implications of the partnership extend beyond the institutions involved. For businesses, it provides direct access to cutting-edge research, practical tools for AI integration, and opportunities for upskilling and engagement with leading experts. For the national and regional ecosystem, it strengthens the foundation for evidence-based policymaking, supports digital transformation, and fosters a more inclusive and resilient innovation landscape.
Ultimately, the MoU establishes more than a framework—it sets a direction. One that brings together industry insight and academic expertise to drive technological advancement, enhance workforce readiness, and position Trinidad and Tobago as a competitive, digitally enabled economy.
As the pace of technological change accelerates, partnerships like this will play a critical role in ensuring that the Caribbean is not only keeping up—but actively shaping the future of AI.
At the MOU Signing Ceremony on April 14th at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (L-r) Dr. Arvind Singh - Principal Investigator, intelliGRID | AIIC; Dr. Craig Ramlal - Executive Director (Chair) | AIIC; Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine - Principal and Pro Vice-Chancellor | UWI, St. Augustine Campus; Nirad Tewarie - CEO | AMCHAM T&T; and Professor Bheshem Ramlal - Dean of the Faculty of Engineering | UWI