AGP Executive Report

AI & Work Skills: Massy Group says the Caribbean’s real AI challenge is people-readiness, rolling out enterprise access to ChatGPT-style tools alongside training and governance so staff can use AI responsibly. Digital Banking Safety: BATT ran a “Banking for Seniors” session in Santa Cruz to help older adults spot scams, warning that fraudsters are using AI to make tricks look more convincing. Police Integrity Push: TTPS leadership says it will root out rogue officers after Police Commissioner Allister Guevarro fired 17, stressing accountability and lawful action. UWI Seismic Update: UWI Seismic Research Centre confirms Venezuela’s twin quakes triggered rapid coastal uplift near Cedros, with comparisons to Trinidad’s 2018 quake effects. Health Security Upgrade: CARPHA launched a regional Emergency Operations Centre to coordinate earlier detection and faster response to infectious disease threats and disasters. People-First STEM Education: UWI announced its 4th OneUWI postgraduate conference (Nov 18–21, 2026) and highlighted top research presentations. STEM for Land & Food: UWI launched a five-year Bio Resilience Project (US$3.5m) to restore degraded farmland, boost biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience.

Cyber Safety for Seniors: BATT ran a “Banking for Seniors” workshop in Santa Cruz, warning older adults about fraud tactics now made harder to spot by AI, urging people to pause, verify, and never share OTPs or personal banking details. Police Integrity Push: TTPS Commissioner Alister Guevarra says he fired 17 officers and vows to remove any who engage in criminality, promising decisive action across the service. Infrastructure & Jobs: Works and Infrastructure Minister Jearlean John says the Revitalisation Blue-print is moving into contract procurement, with 120 projects planned and an estimated 72,000 jobs across construction, engineering, tech, and trades. Earth Science Update: UWI Seismic Research Centre confirms Venezuela’s 7.2 and 7.5 quakes caused rapid coastal uplift near Cedros, with comparisons to Trinidad’s 2018 quake effects. Health Security Tech: CARPHA launched a regional Emergency Operations Centre to improve early warning and coordination for outbreaks and disasters, funded by the EU. Digital Service Scrutiny: NIBTT’s Empower Project faces a Joint Select Committee inquiry after TT$143M digital investment failed to clear a backlog of unresolved complaints. AI in the Spotlight: Trinidad writer Jamir Nazir’s Commonwealth Short Story Prize win follows an AI-writing controversy; the Foundation says its review found no AI use.

Health Security: CARPHA commissioned a regional Emergency Operations Centre in Port of Spain, funded by the EU (~€285,000), to speed up detection and coordination for infectious disease outbreaks and public health emergencies. Higher Education & Research: UWI announced its 4th OneUWI Postgraduate Student Conference (Nov 18–21, 2026) and highlighted 14 top postgraduate presentations from the 2026 staging across health, climate resilience, education, governance and sustainable development. STEM & Environment: UWI launched a five-year Bio Resilience Project (US$3.5m GEF backing) to restore degraded farmland, strengthen biodiversity and improve climate resilience through nature-based solutions. AI & Work: An AMCHAM T&T interview argues Trinidad and Tobago should push higher-value tech services and use AI to automate entry-level BPO work as the industry shifts. Regional Cooperation: CARICOM marked its 53rd anniversary with renewed calls for deeper integration on security, disaster response, climate adaptation and public health. Tech in Culture: Courts Optical and United Way partnered on “United for Vision” to support childhood literacy and vision/health needs for 1,000 students.

AI & Jobs: An AI strategist based between Trinidad and Tobago warns the Caribbean has little time to adapt, arguing the real risk is workers being replaced by people who use AI. Education Tech: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath says SEA results show “significant improvement,” crediting an Amcham-supported AI platform for SEA Math past papers plus expanded school Wi‑Fi. Environment & Food Security: UWI launches a five-year Bio Resilience Project (US$3.5m via GEF/FAO) to restore degraded farmland, boost biodiversity, and strengthen climate resilience. Energy & Security: Energy Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal reports suspected pipeline sabotage in Barrackpore released about 416 barrels of crude oil, while TTPS says intelligence-led efforts helped dismantle five gangs in the Northern Division. Research Partnerships: UTT renews its MoU with NCIC to expand research and commercial opportunities around East Indian culture. STEM in the Newsroom: A Trinidad Express report highlights how terrorism is increasingly “weaponising technology,” urging updated counter-terrorism approaches.

UWI Environment & Food Security: UWI launched a five-year Bio Resilience Project (US$3.5m via GEF/FAO) to restore degraded farmland, boost biodiversity, and strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s climate resilience and food security. Education Tech: The Ministry of Education says this year’s SEA results show “significant improvement,” citing an Amcham-backed AI platform for SEA Math past papers plus expanded Wi‑Fi bandwidth in schools. STEM Partnerships: UTT and NCIC renewed their MoU to expand research and education tied to Indian culture, with plans for innovation in instruments and food production. Energy & Infrastructure Risk: Heritage Petroleum says a pipeline sabotage in Barrackpore released about 416 barrels of crude oil, with recovery underway and concerns about threats to energy security. Crime & Tech-Enabled Policing: TTPS reports five gangs dismantled in the Northern Division, with active gangs falling from 16 to 11, supported by intelligence-led operations and PDOs. Marine Science: Researchers are co-leading a project to study the Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt near Port of Spain, linking the seaweed’s carbon role to biodiversity and climate mitigation. Local Business & Governance: T&T Chamber CEO Vashti Guyadeen urged boards to prepare for volatility, citing AI, cyber risk, and data protection as governance pressures.

Digital Finance: Sen­dana is rolling out a new US$ platform for Caribbean users, offering a virtual US dollar account plus Visa debit and global payments without needing a US address or US bank account—aimed at cutting delays, FX shortages and high fees for people in T&T earning abroad. Education & AI: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath says this year’s SEA results show “significant improvement,” crediting an AmCham-backed AI platform that gives pupils access to past SEA Maths papers, alongside expanded Wi-Fi in schools. STEM Pipeline: NIHERST and Shell hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge 2026, marking a shift from FIRST Lego League to FIRST Tech Challenge and showcasing local robotics design, programming and teamwork. Crime Tech & Data: TTPS reports a drop in active gangs in the Northern Division from 16 to 11, citing intelligence-led operations and technology-supported investigations. Energy & Industry: Heritage Petroleum outlined plans to lift oil output via new development and exploration wells, while a separate incident report says suspected pipeline sabotage in Barrackpore released about 416 barrels of crude into the environment. Geoscience After Quakes: UWI Seismic Research Centre teams are studying Galfa’s uplifted coastline after Venezuela earthquakes to understand how local geology may have amplified shaking. Offshore Surveying: Oceaneering’s Ocean Intervention II has started a multi-discipline offshore survey campaign offshore Trinidad, combining seismic, seabed mapping, geotechnical sampling and AUV work. Local Tech Governance: Public Administration and AI Minister Dominic Smith argues T&T’s digital transformation can’t be government-only and must deliver measurable impact for citizens and the economy. Youth Participation: Caribbean youth leaders urged governments and regional bodies to move from consultation to real decision-making power at CDB’s Youth FIRE Forum.

Youth Voice: Caribbean youth leaders at the CDB Youth FIRE Forum in Nassau urged governments and partners to shift from consultation to real decision-making power. Digital Transformation: T&T’s Minister Dominic Smith told the AMCHAM Tech Hub Island Summit that digital progress must be measured by impact, pointing to VerifyTT and plans to digitise services like passports and certificates. AI in Business: An AWS generative AI specialist warned that “agentic AI” will reshape work, pushing firms to adopt automation or fall behind. STEM on the Ground: NIHERST and Shell hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge 2026, marking a move from FIRST Lego League to higher-level robotics engineering for local teams. Energy Pressure: Energy sector analysts say petrochemical plant shutdowns could cost T&T US$500–700M in annual foreign exchange earnings, intensifying calls for policy action. Earthquake Science: UWI Seismic Research Centre teams are investigating Galfa’s uplifted coastline after Venezuela quakes, using geophysical tools to understand local amplification. Offshore Surveys: Oceaneering’s Ocean Intervention II began a six-month integrated offshore survey campaign for Trinidad and the U.S. Gulf, combining seismic, seabed mapping, geotechnical sampling and AUV work. Lightning Safety: CMO’s lightning awareness contest for schools gained international recognition via a new disaster preparedness book.

Robotics & STEM Pipeline: NIHERST and Shell hosted the FIRST Tech Challenge 2026, moving teams from FIRST Lego League into a bigger global robotics stage and spotlighting Trinidad and Tobago’s young engineering talent. Digital Government & AI: Public Administration and AI Minister Dominic Smith told AMCHAM’s Tech Hub Island Summit that T&T’s digital economy can’t be built by government alone, pointing to VerifyTT and plans to digitise high-demand services. Agentic AI in Business: AWS’s Anton Alexander warned firms that skipping AI adoption risks falling behind as “agentic AI” automates complex work. Offshore Survey Work Offshore T&T: Oceaneering’s Ocean Intervention II has started a multi-discipline offshore campaign offshore Trinidad (seismic, seabed mapping, geotechnical sampling, AUV surveys) plus Gulf of Mexico pipeline inspection. Earthquake Aftermath Research: UWI Seismic Research Centre teams are probing Galfa’s uplifted coastline to see whether Venezuela quakes triggered the seabed landslip. STEM for Communities: Rodman Public Library announced July science kits, a Minecraft scavenger hunt, and a steel drumming workshop. Public Safety Tech: Municipal Police launched a Public Information and Communications Unit to improve transparency and faster, clearer updates to residents.

Digital Government & AI: Public Administration and AI Minister Dominic Smith says Trinidad and Tobago is moving into a “digital-ready” era, pointing to VerifyTT and plans to digitise high-demand services like birth certificates, passports and certificates of character. Municipal Tech & Trust: The Trinidad and Tobago Municipal Police Service launched a Public Information and Communications Unit to improve transparency and give residents faster, official updates. STEM Education & Safety: The Caribbean Meteorological Organization’s lightning safety contest is now featured in an international children’s disaster-preparedness book, while a separate push highlights expanding STEM education. Science & Risk: UWI Seismic Research Centre teams are investigating whether Venezuela’s major earthquakes triggered a seabed landslip near Galfa, Cedros, using drone surveys and preliminary seismic testing; the centre also urges the public to report tremors via “Did You Feel It?” Energy & Industry: Methanex says it will begin indefinitely idling its Titan methanol plant in Trinidad after failing to agree a new gas contract. Offshore Tech: Oceaneering’s Ocean Intervention II is running offshore Trinidad with geophysical, geotechnical and AUV survey work. Environment & Circular Economy: SynergySphereCASA backs the sargassum “blue gold” push, proposing processing to turn seaweed into fertiliser and compost alternatives. Regional Tech/Finance: UNI Global Union warns fintech is expanding in Caribbean banking without matching traditional regulatory and tax burdens. AI in Culture: Trinidadian writer Jamir Nazir’s Commonwealth Short Story Prize win stands after a review found no AI use, following a public AI-writing controversy.

STEM Education Push: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath announced plans to expand digital technology, robotics and AI in schools, alongside NIHERST’s FIRST Tech Challenge national robotics tournament that challenged students to design, build and programme robots. Seismic Science & Public Reporting: UWI Seismic Research Centre researchers urged residents to use the “Did You Feel It?” tool so citizen reports can feed shake maps used for building codes and infrastructure planning, while the Centre also said Venezuela’s major quakes may have shifted stress across the region. Local Earth Science Investigation: UWI seismic researchers are investigating whether Venezuela earthquakes triggered a seabed uplift/landslip near Galfa, Cedros, using drone surveys and preliminary seismic testing. Deep-Sea Exploration: A month-long expedition aboard R/V Falkor (too) will document Trinidad and Tobago’s deep-sea ecosystems and marine life, highlighting that most of the country’s marine territory is beyond scuba depths. Energy & Industry Update: Methanex says it can’t agree a new gas contract for its Titan methanol plant in Trinidad and Tobago and will begin indefinitely idling the facility. Sargassum “Blue Gold” Plan: SynergySphereCASA backed the government’s sargassum-to-wealth push, proposing processing the biomass into organic fertilisers and compost alternatives. AI Governance Blueprint: Professor Renée Cummings is preparing GOVERN™, an executive blueprint for responsible AI governance for organisations and the nation.

STEM Education Push: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath says Trinidad and Tobago will expand digital tech, robotics and AI in schools, alongside a national FIRST Tech Challenge robotics tournament hosted by NIHERST with Shell. Seismic Preparedness: UWI Seismic Research Centre director Dr Erouscilla P Joseph urges calm but readiness after major Venezuela earthquakes, noting no direct link to other regional quakes and calling for continued monitoring. Citizen Science for Earthquakes: UWI seismologist Dr Abayomi Osotuyi asks residents to report tremors via “Did You Feel It?” to help build shake maps that guide building codes and planning. Sargassum “Blue Gold” Plan: SynergySphereCASA backs a government sargassum-to-wealth push, proposing local processing to turn harvested seaweed into organic fertilisers and compost alternatives. Energy & Industry: Methanex says it can’t secure a new natural gas contract for its Titan methanol plant in Trinidad and Tobago, starting steps to indefinitely idle the facility. Tech & Jobs: AMCHAM T&T tees up Tech Hub Islands Summit 2026, pitching higher-value AI and cybersecurity services and arguing some entry-level BPO work could be automated with AI. Fraud Alert: UWI warns of an unauthorised website using its branding and collecting personal data.

STEM Education Push: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath backed a stronger STEM pipeline at NIHERST’s inaugural FIRST Tech Challenge national robotics tournament, announcing plans to expand digital technology, robotics and AI in schools. Seismic Preparedness: UWI Seismic Research Centre leaders urged calm but readiness after major Venezuela earthquakes, noting the Caribbean Plate was disrupted and calling for better public reporting of tremors to improve shake maps used for building and infrastructure planning. Local Science Discovery: A new expedition is set to explore Trinidad’s deep-sea ecosystems, with researchers aiming to document marine life never observed before. Tech & Business Growth: AMCHAM T&T is positioning Trinidad for higher-value tech services via AI and cybersecurity at Tech Hub Islands Summit (June 30–July 1), while a separate report highlights fintech’s uneven playing field in Caribbean banking. Geo-Tourism Spotlight: “Mud Magic” profiles Trinidad’s mud volcanoes and how they form, including their role in education and recreation. Workforce & Governance Tension: Tobago’s THA is weighing a possible hiring freeze amid rising wage pressures, while NCRHA moves to cut nursing overtime after disputes over alleged irregularities.

STEM Push in Schools: Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath launched plans to expand STEM education after NIHERST and Shell hosted the inaugural FIRST Tech Challenge national robotics tournament, where students from nine secondary schools built and programmed robots under the “Decode” theme, with a focus on boosting digital tech, robotics and AI in classrooms. Earthquake Preparedness: The UWI Seismic Research Centre urged Caribbean residents to stay prepared after major Venezuela quakes, noting the events released enough energy to disrupt the Caribbean Plate and that while there’s no direct link to one fault system, stress changes can affect the region. AI Governance Blueprint: Criminologist-turned-AI policy professor Renée Cummings is preparing GOVERN™, an executive framework aimed at helping Trinidad and Tobago and organisations adopt AI responsibly. Health Sector Pressure: NCRHA chair Dr Tim Gopeesingh says he cut nursing overtime from about $40M to under $4M and requested a forensic audit, while the TTNNA disputes fraud claims and links overtime to staffing shortages. Local Tech & Business: Eye See You Ophthalmics’ export growth is being tested by foreign exchange shortages and banking constraints, even as it expands across more than 13 territories.

STEM Education & Robotics: NIHERST launched its inaugural FIRST Tech Challenge national tournament (“Decode”), bringing 12–18-year-olds from nine secondary schools together to design, build and program robots, with plans to spotlight winners and grow Trinidad and Tobago’s STEM innovation pipeline. AI & Workforce Skills: A Trinidad-and-Tobago–relevant push for tech evolution is highlighted by calls to upskill for automation and AI, including a National AI Lab model at UTech aimed at boosting productivity through practical training. Earthquake Preparedness: UWI Seismic Research Centre urges Caribbean residents to stay prepared after major Venezuela quakes, noting the region’s active seismic setting and calling for stronger monitoring and disaster risk reduction frameworks. Local Science & Geology: A look at Trinidad’s mud volcanoes explains how gas vents form these “not real volcanoes,” why they matter for education and geo-tourism, and where eruptions have occurred. Health System Watch: NCRHA says it cut nursing overtime from about $40M to under $4M while requesting a forensic audit, as TTNNA disputes claims and points to staffing shortages. Sustainability & Tech in Transport: Reports on eco-taxis show electric charging limits and missing promised solar support, raising questions about clean-tech rollout and grid reliability. Research on Ageing: A new study published in The Gerontologist explores what “ageing well” means to Indo-Caribbean elders in Guyana and Trinidad, stressing family closeness and being needed.

STEM Education Push: NIHERST launched its inaugural FIRST Tech Challenge “Decode,” bringing 12–18-year-olds from nine secondary schools together to design, build and program robots—part of a plan to grow a regional STEM hub, with Java and real-world engineering challenges. Earthquake Preparedness: UWI Seismic Research Centre urged Caribbean residents to stay prepared after major Venezuela quakes, noting the region’s active seismic zone and a small rise in regional activity; a separate 4.2 quake was also reported near the islands with no immediate damage. AI & Productivity: Jamaica’s PM announced a National AI Lab at UTech to drive digital efficiency and upskilling—an example of how governments are moving toward practical AI training. Health System Tensions: NCRHA chair Dr Tim Gopeesingh says he cut nursing overtime from about $40M to under $4M and requested a forensic audit, while the nursing association disputes claims and blames staff shortages. Sustainability & Mercury: EcoWaste Coalition praised the Philippines cosmetics industry for backing a mercury ban in skin-lightening products under the Minamata Convention. Local Tech/Industry: The Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce rolled out its 2026 Champions of Business Awards, including categories for innovation and technology development.

Nursing & Health System: NCRHA chair Dr Tim Gopeesingh says he cut nursing pool overtime from about $40M to under $4M and ordered a forensic audit, while the TTNNA president rejects fraud claims and argues overtime stems from staffing shortages. Earth Science & Preparedness: UWI seismologist Dr Abayomi Osotuyi warns the Eastern Caribbean must strengthen earthquake monitoring, noting only three stations are operating in Antigua and Barbuda. Disaster Updates: A 4.2 quake rattled parts of the region with no immediate damage reports, as Venezuela’s back-to-back 7.2 and 7.5 events continue to drive search-and-rescue. Energy & Transport Tech: Reports from Cuba’s ecomobiles in Trinidad say electric taxis can’t reliably charge—solar plans reportedly never arrived—limiting trips and stressing grid dependence. STEM & Skills: IDB Knowledge Week 2026 in Port of Spain pushes “put knowledge to work” across health, energy and agriculture, while WIS 2.0 complementary training builds local capacity for meteorological data systems. Industry & Innovation: The Trinidad and Tobago Chamber launches the 2026 Champions of Business Awards, including categories for innovation, technology development and sustainability. Local STEM Funding: A Coral Cup golf tournament will raise bursary support for two UWI Engineering students. Textiles & Global Trade: ITM 2026 in Istanbul drew 48,257 visitors from 105 countries, showcasing textile machinery and technical textiles.