By Caribbean News Global 
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence (MPAAI) has announced a landmark partnership with OpenAI, the global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and deployment, in a press release Wednesday.
MPAAI advised that this strategic collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago’s (GORTT) Official Policy Framework, thus positioning Trinidad and Tobago as a regional pioneer in the integration of advanced AI technologies into the fabric of national development.
“Through this partnership, Trinidad and Tobago will join OpenAI’s Education for Countries initiative. OpenAI is globally recognised for its mission to ensure that advanced artificial intelligence benefits all of humanity, most notably through its creation of ChatGPT, a tool that has redefined productivity and problem-solving worldwide,” MPAAI said.
The Education for Countries initiative is designed to help nations build future-ready education systems by embedding AI tools into schools and universities to personalise learning, reduce administrative burdens for educators and equip the workforce with the essential skills required for a world increasingly shaped by AI. Trinidad and Tobago is among a select few joining the initiative’s first cohort, alongside Estonia, Greece, Italy’s Conference of University Rectors (CRUI), Jordan, Kazakhstan, Slovakia and the United Arab Emirates.
“Under the leadership of prime minister of the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar S.C., M.P, the government has prioritised a “people-centred” digital shift. This partnership with OpenAI directly supports the mandate of the ministry, which focuses on three core pillars: Digital Services, Smart and Efficient Government and Digital Nation. By introducing advanced capabilities like ChatGPT Edu, the MPAAI is ensuring that the nation’s human capital is prepared to thrive in the global digital economy,” MPAAI added.
This milestone positions MPAAI as the first ministry in the Caribbean to participate in this programme, a reflection of deliberate leadership, long-term strategy and a commitment to responsible AI that delivers real benefits for citizens,” stated senator Dominic Smith, minister of public administration and artificial intelligence:
“Through partnerships like this, we are not just adopting new tools, we are building a modern, inclusive and future-ready state where technology expands opportunity for all.”
The partnership with OpenAI complements MPAAI’s ongoing technical collaborations with international bodies to ensure responsible and ethical AI adoption. In collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), MPAAI is conducting comprehensive assessments of the nation’s readiness for AI, leveraging UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) and UNDP’s AI Landscape Assessment (AILA).
“The ministry, through its Public Service Academy, is also currently executing the Data to Policy Workshop, running from January 21 to 23, 2026, with the support of the UNDP Digital, AI & Innovation Hub (DAI Hub). This three-day intensive training equips senior public sector officials, including deputy permanent secretaries and senior managers, with practical skills in integrating data and AI into policy development,” MPAAI said.
