TCI Selected from 59 Countries for World Bank AI Programme as Officials Attend Washington Meetings

Turks and Caicos, April 14, 2026 – The Turks and Caicos Islands has been selected from 59 submissions across Latin America and the Caribbean for a major World Bank artificial intelligence initiative, as government officials participate in high-level meetings in Washington, D.C. this week.

The selection places TCI among a small group of countries advancing to the next phase of the Digital LAC AI Accelerator, a World Bank-supported programme focused on developing and testing artificial intelligence solutions in government.

Officials, including Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E Jay Saunders, are in Washington for the engagements, which form part of broader World Bank convenings centered on digital transformation, public sector modernization and development priorities across the region.

Saunders confirmed the significance of the selection, noting the competitive nature of the process.

“I’m very proud that our proposal was selected, because it shows that as a country, we are starting to take on thought leadership roles within the Latin American and Caribbean region.”

The Digital LAC AI Accelerator supports early-stage AI projects, providing technical mentorship, training and strategic guidance over a six-month period. The programme is designed to help governments move ideas into pilot phases, particularly in areas such as public service delivery, infrastructure, health, tourism and policy development.

As part of the initiative, participating countries are expected to present their proposed use cases, outlining how artificial intelligence can be applied to improve efficiency and outcomes within government systems.

The current meetings in Washington bring together regional representatives and development partners as the World Bank continues its push to support digital innovation and institutional strengthening across the Caribbean and wider Latin American region.

For Turks and Caicos, the selection marks a notable step—positioning the territory not only as a participant, but as a contributor in shaping how emerging technologies are deployed in governance.

Angle by Deandrea Hamilton. Built with ChatGPT (AI). Magnetic Media — CAPTURING LIFE.