The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has endorsed the UNESCO Caribbean Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Roadmap, marking a significant step towards establishing a unified regional approach to ethical AI governance and policy development.

The endorsement was announced during the 126th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development – Information and Communication Technologies (COTED-ICT), a principal CARICOM body responsible for advancing regional cooperation in trade, information and communication technologies (ICT), and sustainable development.

Presented by the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, the roadmap provides a regional framework to guide AI policy development, foster cross-border collaboration and promote the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence across Caribbean nations.

Launched in 2024, the roadmap is aligned with the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and was developed following consultations involving more than 1,000 stakeholders from English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean countries. The framework aims to support governments in developing AI policies that prioritise transparency, inclusion, human rights and sustainable development.

Beyond the policy framework, UNESCO is collaborating with member states and regional partners to translate AI governance principles into practical implementation.

As part of this effort, the organisation is deploying its Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) across several Caribbean countries. The assessments are designed to identify policy and regulatory gaps, strengthen institutional capabilities and establish national priorities for the ethical and inclusive governance of AI technologies.

According to UNESCO, the initiative seeks to ensure that Caribbean nations play an active role in shaping the development and governance of AI, rather than solely adopting technologies developed elsewhere.

Eric Falt, Regional Director and Representative of UNESCO, emphasised the importance of regional leadership in AI governance.

"The Caribbean should not simply consume AI technologies developed elsewhere, but should help shape how AI is governed, used and directed toward the public good. AI will shape the future of the Caribbean. Together, we can ensure that it does so in ways that protect rights, advance inclusion, strengthen resilience and expand opportunity for every citizen, in every island and territory," he said.

The endorsement of the AI Policy Roadmap signals a shared regional commitment to building an AI ecosystem that supports innovation while safeguarding ethical principles, public trust and inclusive economic development. It also reinforces the Caribbean's ambition to develop common governance standards that can guide responsible AI adoption across both public and private sectors.