CAF backs regional digital transformation at UWI Five Islands AI Conference
As the global landscape for artificial intelligence continues to rapidly evolve, development actors, technology experts, and policymakers are posing a critical question: What will the future hold for small island developing states? This question will be front and centre at the 2025 UWI Five Islands Artificial Intelligence Conference, where CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean is this year’s Title Sponsor and strategic partner.
For the second consecutive year, CAF is supporting this growing regional platform, as it demonstrates its commitment to a digitally sovereign and inclusive Caribbean. CAF will present a comprehensive Roadmap for National AI Implementation, which offers a practical, context-sensitive framework for countries in the region to embrace AI ethically and sustainably.
“The Caribbean cannot, and must not, be left out of the conversation about Artificial Intelligence,” said Dr Stacy Richards-Kennedy, Regional Manager for the Caribbean at CAF. “AI is reshaping the way we live, work, and govern. But to unlock its benefits, we must also proactively manage its risks. What this means is we must put ethics, equity, inclusion and people at the core of our discussions and decisions.”
According to Dr Richards-Kennedy, “Caribbean countries should focus on shaping their own digital futures. And the decisions we make now will determine whether AI exacerbates inequality or opens doors to opportunity for all Caribbean citizens, which is why this conference comes at an important juncture for our region.”
The UWI Five Islands AI Conference provides an important space to address what has become one of the region’s defining development challenges: seizing the opportunities presented by AI while at the same time, closing the digital divide. In this vein, it must also lay the ground work for improving competitiveness, innovation, and the transformation of the public and private sectors.
CAF’s growing digital portfolio across the Caribbean responds directly to these challenges. In Trinidad and Tobago, the bank has committed over US$120 million to digital infrastructure projects, including the implementation of the country’s Interoperability Platform, e-Identity Programme, and a new Tier IV Government Data Centre. It also includes other elements that lay the foundation for digital public infrastructure.
CAF’s vision is not about investing in the hardware alone. The development bank, whose 23-shareholder membership also includes 7 English Speaking CARICOM countries, strongly believes that digital tools must serve the Caribbean’s unique needs and realities.
“We believe in supporting countries’ efforts to build a digitally sovereign Caribbean, one where every citizen can access public services securely and participate fully in the digital economy,” said Dr Richards-Kennedy. “Too often, new technologies are developed without our region in mind. We can no longer afford to be on the sidelines. The Caribbean has both the talent and the vision, as these conference sessions will demonstrate.”
CAF’s support for AI adoption is part of a wider digital transformation strategy in the Caribbean. It includes capacity-building initiatives like the School for Digital Transformation and Innovation, which equips policymakers with the requisite skills to advance digital transformation across the Caribbean. The strategy also focuses on financing for broadband expansion and e-government platforms and creating spaces for much-needed dialogue and knowledge exchange through the CAF Innovation Series. At the heart of these efforts is CAF’s belief that these transformations must be Caribbean led.
The good news is that momentum is growing within the region. Governments have begun to articulate national AI strategies and public expectation of digital innovations is rising.
CAF’s support for and participation in this conference demonstrates a deepening partnership between higher education, development partners, and regional institutions determined to ensure that the Caribbean is not merely a participant in the digital age, but also a leader, an innovator, a creator.
“CAF stands ready to work with public and private sector actors to support the Caribbean’s priorities for digital transformation and AI implementation,” Dr Richards-Kennedy affirmed. “By working together, the Caribbean can leverage increased investments in research, technology and innovation to propel the region’s digital transformation.”
