Trinidad and Tobago has not developed a national AI strategy, but is taking steps towards digital transformation while facing challenges in data protection implementation. The country has endorsed the UNESCO AI Ethics Recommendation, signalling engagement with international AI ethics initiatives.
In August 2022, the Ministry of Digital Transformation released a draft national digital transformation strategy. This strategy identifies three pillars: Digital Society, described as "people centered and knowledge based – access, skills, participation (inclusion), connected communities"; Digital Government, focusing on "Public value – efficiency in service delivery, citizen-centric, no-wrong door"; and Digital Economy. This strategy is part of the National Development Strategy 2016-2030, "Vision 2030," which aims to align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation aims to create a new approach to goods and services delivery using digital technology, ensuring all citizens can participate in a digital society. The National Information and Technology Company (IgovTT) is tasked with implementing IT solutions for the government.
Trinidad and Tobago has participated in several regional AI initiatives. The country has been involved in the Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Initiative, led by UNESCO and the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica. It also contributed to the Caribbean AI Policy Roadmap, released in June 2021. Notably, only about 8-9% of the stakeholder participants in the Caribbean AI Initiative were from Trinidad and Tobago. More recently, in January 2023, Trinidad and Tobago endorsed the Buenos Aires Declaration, which recognises the need to combat disinformation through AI and algorithms.
The implementation of Trinidad and Tobago's Data Protection Act (DPA), enacted in 2011, has been limited. Only parts of the act have been proclaimed and are in force, with key provisions, including those covering data protection by private bodies, not yet active. The act also lacks modern data protection rights such as the right to erasure and data portability. As of March 2023, there is no Information Commissioner's Office to oversee and enforce the DPA. A draft bill, inspired by the GDPR "to be in greater compliance with more recent legislation in Jamaica and Barbados," was expected to be introduced in Parliament in 2022 but has not yet materialised.
Trinidad and Tobago is classified as "Free" by Freedom House with a score of 82/100. However, there are potential concerns related to AI and human rights. The government's post-COVID recovery plan includes the goal of a cashless society and the creation of a mandatory e-identity for every citizen for using governmental services and digital commerce. In November 2022, the Acting Police Commissioner announced plans to use facial recognition software for crime prevention and detection, without a current legal framework or public guidelines. Moreover, there is no specific legislation on algorithmic transparency.
Regarding Lethal Autonomous Weapons, Trinidad and Tobago was not among the 70 countries that endorsed a joint statement on autonomous weapons systems at the UN General Assembly meeting in October 2022. However, in February 2023, it endorsed the Belén Communiqué, which calls for "urgent negotiation" of a binding international treaty to regulate and prohibit the use of autonomous weapons.
Trinidad and Tobago has shown engagement with international AI initiatives. The country has endorsed the UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics and participated in regional efforts like the Caribbean AI Initiative. However, it has not endorsed the OECD AI Principles. The Inter-American Development Bank approved a New Country Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago on Digital Transformation in March 2022, aiming to help implement the country's digital transformation agenda.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/