Port-of-Spain, April 22, 2026, Over 700 girls and young women from across the Caribbean were equipped with practical skills in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation at the launch of this year’s Tech4Girls: Make AI Work for You workshop recently. The initiative forms part of a broader regional effort to increase female participation in ICT and prepare young women for emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence and digital industries.


Through its support, bmobile continues to strengthen digital access and create more pathways for women and girls to engage meaningfully in ICT across Trinidad and Tobago. The two-day workshop, held ahead of International Girls in ICT Day on April 23, was aimed at reducing the gender gap in ICT while preparing participants for emerging opportunities in AI and digital industries. Led by a cadre of certified and experienced local and international industry leaders, girls and young women from The Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago, among other regional territories, combined training in AI with leadership development, digital branding and personal empowerment.


The scale of participation underscored a growing regional focus on building a stronger pipeline of female talent in emerging technologies. Aligned with this year’s global theme, “AI for Development- Girls Shaping the Digital Future,” the programme introduced participants to advanced AI concepts, including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and challenged them to apply these tools to real-world problems in their schools, communities and future careers.


Hosted virtually, and across 17 AccessTT ICT access centres in Trinidad and Tobago by the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT), the opening day featured in-depth sessions on digital influence and AI awareness. With more than 700 participants, the programme represents one of the largest coordinated efforts to engage young women in AI and digital skills development across the Caribbean.


Speakers included Minister of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Senator the Honourable Dominic Smith, Caribbean Association of National Telecommunications Organisations (CANTO) operations and HR manager Lianne Dieffenthaller, Tobago Information Technology Ltd Business Services manager Alicia Davis Guerra, TSTT’s manager of Network Planning and Design Neiala Kissoon-Lindsay and mindfulness psychologist Anu Bissessar, among others.


Representing TSTT, Manager of Network Planning and Design, Neiala Kissoon-Lindsay, emphasised the importance of early exposure to digital tools and platforms in preparing young women for leadership in the digital economy. Kissoon-Lindsay urged the young women to embrace the opportunity provided to gain a modern advantage over their peers as they prepare for the world of work in an ever-evolving digital economy. With the right tools, she encouraged them to shape their own platforms, build authentic personal brands and connect with global audiences, and position themselves as leaders in spaces where women were once overlooked. “This is how we smash boundaries, by building new tables, new systems and new opportunities,” Kissoon-Lindsay said. “Technology is your gateway to leadership.”


Delivering the feature address, Minister Smith reiterated the importance of engagement with technology, and the role young women must play in shaping it. He highlighted that Trinidad and Tobago’s establishment of the Ministry of Public Administration and AI in 2025 marked a pioneering step for the Caribbean, positioning the country to lead in digital transformation. “When more women contribute to the design and development of AI, tech becomes more inclusive,” he said. “Your presence at the table is a powerful one. You will shape important outcomes, influence decisions, and define the future we are trying to build out of the Ministry. As a nation, we will continue to invest in the digital empowerment of women, support women who lead the tech progress of the country.”


Minister Smith reinforced that access and education on these new technologies can unlock entirely new paths for girls and young women, whether in careers, entrepreneurship or leadership.