Trinidad is Hub for IDB TechLab to Strengthen Caribbean Digital Growth and Innovation

WASHINGTON, DC – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) says it has launched a new TechLab, an emerging technology laboratory hub for the Caribbean, designed to advance the region’s digital transformation agenda, fostering innovation and long-term economic growth.

techlDBIDB launches new TechLab for the Caribbean based in TrinidadIt said that the hub is located in Trinidad and Tobago and that the decision to establish the TechLab there underscores the Caribbean’s growing commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology as a catalyst for economic and social development.

IDB said that the hub will primarily experiment with technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality, social robots, and drones, among others. These technologies are key for critical areas such as smart city solutions and digital inclusion.

“Technology is reshaping economies and societies, and the Caribbean has a tremendous opportunity to harness digital innovation for development,” said IDB Executive Vice President Jordan Schwartz.

“With this TechLab, we are creating a collaborative space where governments, academia, and the private sector can experiment, co-create, and implement groundbreaking solutions tailored to the region’s unique challenges,” he added.

The IDB said that the TechLab will serve as a catalyst for public-private partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, empowering key stakeholders with the tools, knowledge, and resources needed to develop and scale transformative digital projects.

It said this initiative also advances the IDB’s ONE Caribbean programme, which promotes regional integration and resilience in the Caribbean through partnerships that have a wider regional impact.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister for Digital Transformation, Hassel Bacchus, said the lab represents a significant milestone for the Caribbean’s digital journey.

“By creating additional opportunities to access emerging technologies, we aim to empower communities, enhance public services, and provide better solutions for our citizens,” he added.

The Trinidad and Tobago TechLab is the fourth laboratory established by the IDB, complementing existing hubs in Washington, D.C., Panama, and Paraguay.

The IDB said it  is also set to launch an additional TechLab in Colombia for the Andean region, further expanding its commitment to regional digital transformation.