The Commonwealth has launched a regional training programme focused on the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on elections, bringing together electoral officials from across the Caribbean & Americas to examine how AI can both strengthen and undermine electoral integrity.
Hosted in partnership with the Elections and Boundaries Commission of Trinidad and Tobago, the five-day event coincides with a significant milestone for the Commission, which is celebrating 50 years of administering elections in the twin-island nation.
The Chairperson of the Elections and Boundaries Commission, Mark Ramkerrysingh, welcomed delegates and underscored the significance of hosting the event during its 50th anniversary year, noting the Commission’s longstanding commitment to upholding democratic principles and advancing electoral excellence.
He said, “Over the coming week, we will be addressing matters such as ethical issues and risks and legal and regulatory considerations in AI-powered elections. It is hoped that these discussions will allow Electoral Management Bodies to respond proactively to its use and to use it ourselves in our operations.
“The potential benefits are real, but they depend on capacity, data quality, and ethical risk being reactive rather than proactive.”
The training forms part of the Commonwealth Election Professionals (CEP) Initiative, an Australian-funded, multi-year programme designed to strengthen the capacity of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) across Commonwealth member countries. Now in its fourth phase, the programme has been ongoing since 2013.
Australian High Commissioner to Trinidad and Tobago, Sonya Koppe, speaking at the opening ceremony, said her country is proud to support such an initiative.
She said, “With CHOGM [Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] 2026 taking place in the Caribbean in November, holding this CEP event in Port of Spain highlights that inextricable link between regional stability and democracy. We want to see democracy firmly front and centre of CHOGM discussions.
