Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, Dominic Smith, has been awarded the 2026 Ministerial Award for ICT Leadership & Digital Transformation by the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication Organisations (CANTO).

The award was announcing at the 41st CANTO Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition in the Dominican Republic.

CANTO’s Ministerial Awards is given to Ministers who are boldly advance the region’s digital future.

The Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence noted the award comes just over a year after Smith took responsibility for the portfolio.

During that time, the ministry has focused on modernising public administration, expanding digital services and inclusion, strengthening digital governance and building the country’s technological capacity.

The ministry has also been working on Trinidad and Tobago’s approach to artificial intelligence, including efforts to strengthen the policy and institutional framework for responsible AI adoption.

Smith’s regional and international engagements have also focused on digital government, artificial intelligence, innovation and the future of public administration.

Reacting to the award, Smith said he was “deeply honoured” by the recognition and credited the ministry’s team and its partners for their contribution to the country’s digital transformation.

“Our work is ultimately about people,” Smith said.

“We are building a Government that is more modern, connected and responsive, leveraging the opportunities created by technology and artificial intelligence to deliver better services and meaningful benefits for our citizens.”

He said the award reinforces the government’s commitment to building a digitally empowered Trinidad and Tobago that can contribute to the Caribbean’s digital future.