PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO — August 14, 2026
The National Information and Communication Technology Company Limited (iGovTT) is strengthening Trinidad and Tobago’s voice in the regional digital transformation conversation through its participation in CANTO 2026, being held under the theme “Elevate the Caribbean: From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness.”
The conference, which brings together policymakers, telecommunications operators, technology companies, innovators, regulators and development partners from across the Caribbean and beyond, provides a high-level platform for dialogue on the technologies, infrastructure and policies shaping the region’s digital future.
Representing Trinidad and Tobago at the conference, iGovTT Chairman Ria Karim delivered the keynote address, “From AI Possibility to Digital Trust: Building the Foundations for Caribbean Competitiveness,” placing Trinidad and Tobago’s experience within the wider regional conversation on how Caribbean countries can harness technology to strengthen competitiveness, public services and economic opportunity.
In her address, Chairman Karim highlighted the importance of moving beyond connectivity to building the trusted digital foundations that will allow Caribbean countries to make meaningful and sustainable use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
She emphasised that the region’s digital transformation must ultimately be measured not simply by the technologies deployed, but by the difference those technologies make in people’s lives, through better services, greater opportunity, stronger institutions and increased public trust.
The keynote also placed particular emphasis on the relationship between artificial intelligence,digital public infrastructure and trust, highlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s experience with initiatives such as Anansi and VerifyTT as examples of how technology can be applied to address practical challenges and improve the interaction between citizens, businesses and the State. Ms. Karim explained;
“Anansi is our whole-of-government digital assistant, allowing citizens to ask questions about Government information and services in ordinary, natural language. Today, Anansi provides information across 113 Ministries, Divisions and State Agencies.
Between August 2025 and June 2026, it recorded more than 104,000 interactions, with citizen satisfaction at 82.5 percent. Approximately 75 percent of enquiries are handled through the AI. But I am actually more interested in the other 25 percent. Because when Anansi reaches the point where a citizen needs something beyond what the AI can appropriately provide, the interaction can move to a trained TTConnect officer. If it happens outside operating hours, the matter can be captured for follow-up.
We have therefore not simply put a chatbot in front of citizens and called that transformation. The AI handles what it can handle. Our people handle what requires judgement, context, empathy and accountability. Artificial Intelligence supported by Human Intelligence”.
Following the keynote, Chairman Karim also participated in a panel discussion, providing a further opportunity for Trinidad and Tobago to contribute to regional dialogue on the opportunities and challenges associated with artificial intelligence, digital transformation and the development of a competitive Caribbean digital economy.
For iGovTT, participation in CANTO 2026 represents more than attendance at a major regional technology conference. It provides an opportunity to share Trinidad and Tobago’s experience, learn from regional and international counterparts, strengthen partnerships and contribute to the policy conversation shaping the Caribbean’s digital future.
The conference theme, moving “from connectivity to global competitiveness” aligns closely with the direction of Trinidad and Tobago’s digital transformation agenda. As Chairman Karim noted in her keynote, “connectivity provides access, but what countries build on top of that connectivity determines the value it creates. Trusted digital services, secure infrastructure, capable institutions and skilled people are essential to ensuring that Caribbean countries are positioned not merely to consume the technologies of the future, but to help shape them”.
iGovTT’s participation further reinforces its role in supporting Trinidad and Tobago’s engagement with the regional and international digital ecosystem and its commitment to ensuring that the country remains an active contributor to conversations around AI, Digital Public Infrastructure, digital trust and technology-enabled national development.
As the Caribbean continues its journey from connectivity towards competitiveness, iGovTT remains committed to working with government, industry, regional partners and the wider technology community to build digital foundations that are trusted, inclusive, resilient and capable of creating meaningful value for citizens and businesses.
