Caribbean countries played a prominent role at the Third Ministerial and High-Level Authorities Summit on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where governments, international organizations, researchers, businesses, and civil society met to strengthen regional cooperation on responsible AI governance. Organized by UNESCO, the Government of the Dominican Republic, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the summit focused on helping countries develop AI policies aligned with the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence—the world's first global framework for ethical AI governance.
The English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean was strongly represented, with delegations from Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, Curaçao, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines participating in discussions. Their involvement ensured that the region's unique priorities—including digital inclusion, climate resilience, education, cultural diversity, and limited technical resources—were reflected in conversations about AI policy. The summit emphasized that AI governance should be human-centered, inclusive, transparent, and respectful of human rights, ensuring that technological progress benefits all communities rather than widening existing inequalities.
A major outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Santo Domingo Declaration and a Regional Roadmap for 2026–2027. These documents reaffirm the region's commitment to ethical, responsible, and productive AI while outlining practical priorities such as strengthening technical cooperation, building institutional capacity, sharing regulatory experiences, and promoting trustworthy AI across sectors including education, healthcare, public administration, and economic development. The roadmap marks a shift from discussing AI principles to implementing coordinated regional action.
The summit underscores the growing determination of Latin America and the Caribbean to play an active role in shaping global AI governance rather than simply adopting standards developed elsewhere. By working together through UNESCO's ethical AI framework, Caribbean nations aim to ensure that AI supports sustainable development, protects fundamental rights, and reflects the region's social, cultural, and economic realities. The initiative also strengthens the region's collective voice in international discussions on the future of trustworthy and inclusive artificial intelligence.
