en.Wedoany.com Reported - The American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) plans to position the country as a center for high-value technology services, including artificial intelligence, through the upcoming Tech Hub Islands Summit 2026 (T.H.I.S. 2026). In an exclusive interview, AMCHAM T&T CEO Nirad Tewarie stated that the country's current performance in BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) and ITO (Information Technology Outsourcing) sectors ranges between B- and B+, with significant room for growth.

T.H.I.S. 2026 will be held from June 30 to July 1, 2026, showcasing companies that export products and services to neighboring countries, with a focus on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Tewarie noted progress in the public sector, such as the digitization of some customs processes; in the private sector, several technology projects have moved from pilot phases to substantive implementation, with companies beginning to reap efficiency gains and returns on investment. In the BPO sector, the country is attracting niche BPO and shared service centers, including institutions like Scotiabank, Ernst & Young (EY), and American Airlines, which have established shared service centers here, primarily leveraging the abundant local pool of accountants and lawyers.

Tewarie emphasized that the country is still in the early stages of attracting high-value technology jobs, and the government's relationships with countries such as the United States and India lay the foundation for nearshoring strategies. Regarding the trend of AI automating BPO functions, he stated that he is not an advocate for entry-level BPO positions, arguing that a strategy should be developed where entry-level roles support high-value business growth and allow employees to acquire skills transferable to higher-value roles. The private sector is engaging in AI application and policy development through a Digital Transformation Committee composed of representatives from 36 member companies. AMCHAM T&T also plans to collaborate with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Center (AIIC) to develop AI implementation plans for up to 10 companies within the next 12 months. On data center construction, Tewarie said the energy sector is expected to have sufficient natural gas within the next 18 to 36 months to attract data center business. Regarding the return of diaspora talent, AMCHAM T&T is building industry hubs to connect overseas Trinidadians, such as those from Google, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Nicholas Fuller, Vice President of AI at IBM, to promote investment and talent repatriation.