Although Caribbean countries have embraced AI, it appears that little thought has been given to the security and data risks and vulnerabilities that exist when we outsource our AI needs to the global tech giants or platforms that do not have a presence in the region. Sovereign AI will help the region create a more secure digital future and move us from dependence to dominance.

 

Without a doubt, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we, as individuals, businesses and even societies, access and analyse information and how we optimise systems and processes to become more efficient and effective.  However, all too often, our keenness to use public or free-for-use AI platforms and models can cause us to lose control of our personal or company data, as the information and datasets uploaded are stored and used indefinitely by an AI platform. Moreover, as privacy, data protection and digital governance rules come increasingly to the fore, both private and public sector organisations, in particular, must become more judicious and responsible in how they manage sensitive information.

A growing trend has been for organisations to create their own digital space so that they do not lose control of their digital assets, software or processes that are integral to their operation. The same is happening with respect to AI. Using AI platforms that operate in the cloud (somewhere) exposes companies and governments to be subject to the whims and fancies of the platform owners or even other governments and, consequently, the coercive power they hold.

 

What is sovereign AI?

Sovereign AI refers to the development, deployment, and control of AI systems within a country’s jurisdiction to ensure that data governance, decision-making, and infrastructure remain within national boundaries. Unlike AI solutions developed by global tech giants, sovereign AI prioritises local ownership, regulatory oversight, and alignment with a country’s economic and social interests. It thus seeks to mitigate risks related to data privacy, economic dependency, and foreign influence over critical AI-driven systems, which are particularly relevant in sectors such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, and public administration, where national autonomy over data and decision-making is crucial.

Traditionally, access to AI capabilities is outsourced to large multinational corporations such as Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, which have developed powerful AI models hosted on cloud infrastructure, typically outside of national jurisdictions. Countries and organisations subscribe to these services, granting access to local data and, in some cases, relinquishing control over AI-driven insights and decisions.

On the other hand, sovereign AI ensures that AI models, data storage, and computing power remain under national or regional control, which requires the requisite resources and frameworks to be in place. However, this approach aligns with digital sovereignty principles – by ensuring that nations control their technological futures rather than depending on external providers.

 

Why Caribbean countries should consider sovereign AI

Although Caribbean countries might argue that they are challenged to embrace sovereign AI due to the additional resources that would be needed for its implementation, the fact of the matter is that adopting sovereign AI could foster economic resilience, enhance cybersecurity, and strengthen regional cooperation. More specifically, ensuring local control over AI solutions would:

  • Protect sensitive data by limiting our reliance on foreign cloud infrastructure thus reducing exposure to cybersecurity risks and data privacy breaches
  • Foster greater economic independence by reducing capital outflows to accesses external AI expertise and services by businesses and builds indigenous expertise.
  • Build local AI talent and expertise which can result in increased innovation and digital entrepreneurship
  • Adapt AI for local and regional needs, such as to better address hurricane prediction, marine conservation, and small-scale agriculture.

Having said this, to implement a robust sovereign AI framework that truly benefits a country, several areas must be addressed including the following

  • Infrastructure development, by investing in high-performance computing infrastructure and cloud computing facilities to support AI research, training and deployment
  • Policy and governance, by developing AI regulations that ensure ethical AI use, data privacy, and security, establishing public-private partnerships to encourage investment in sovereign AI solutions and implementing  AI-driven policies to improve governance, efficiency, and economic planning.
  • Talent and skill development, by expanding AI and data science education in colleges, universities and technical institutes, and promoting AI literacy across public and private sectors to build a workforce ready for digital transformation
  • Innovation and entrepreneurship, by offering government incentives for AI startups and local innovation hubs and supporting open-source AI projects tailored to Caribbean socio-economic needs.
  • Regional cooperation, by creating a regional AI regulatory framework to harmonise standards and ensure cross-border cooperation and encouraging Caribbean-wide AI collaborations to share resources and expertise.

 

Conclusion

Sovereign AI presents a compelling opportunity for Caribbean countries and the region to take control of our digital futures. It will not only strengthen countries’ national security but also unlock new avenues for innovation and economic growth across the region. However, to do so successfully requires investment and an intentionally built ecosystem. The change in mindset is clear. We must be proactive to reduce dependence on external AI providers and create AI solutions that align with local economic, cultural, and governance needs.

 

 

Image credit: Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)