The Bahamas Government Seeking to Advance Strategies to Take Advantage of the Benefits of AI

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Wayde Watson said The Bahamas government is seeking to advance strategies with respect to the adoption and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to take advantage of some of the benefits that it provides.

The Parliamentary Secretary took part in the AI: Opportunities for Growth Session of Diplomatic Week 2025 at Baha Mar Resort on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

He added, "We are also seeking to put strategies, policies as well as legislation in place to address some of the risks associated with AI."

Mr. Watson said the country is moving towards becoming a smarter and a more connected nation, while also seeking to bridge the digital divide as much as possible between rural and urban areas.

He explained that there are three main objectives the government has in regards to implementing AI nationally.

One of the objectives involves the government ensuring that the adoption of AI is as inclusive as possible and no one is left behind.

Mr. Watson noted that the government wants to set up principles for the ethical use of AI, and to ensure transparency and accountability, especially public accountability.

Stemming from this objective is the draft Data Protection Bill, 2025, which is a piece of legislation designed to modernize and strengthen The Bahamas' framework for data protection and privacy.

The Parliamentary Secretary explained that the Bill will also govern and legislate AI and AI use in The Bahamas.

He said another objective for the government is to deepen regional and international cooperation in regards to AI. "We are a member of CARICOM, so we want to make certain that there is collaboration and shared goals, visions, objectives and principles with regards to the adoption of AI within the region."

Further, Mr. Watson explained that the draft Data Protection Bill is drawing on principles established under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is the legislation in Europe with respect to data protection. The GDPR is widely recognized as the golden standard for data protection.

It has essentially standardized data protection laws across Europe and has afforded individuals stronger rights to access and control of their personal information.

Mr. Watson said a big section of the draft Bill will utilize the GDPR, especially when it comes to residents in The Bahamas interacting with others outside the country and ensuring that those individuals outside the nation's borders can be held accountable.

He added that the government is benchmarking the nation's progress in relation to countries like Singapore and Estonia that have both become known for being innovative and connected within a short period of time.

The Parliamentary Secretary explained that another objective for the government is to strengthen public and private collaboration. "There has to be collaboration between the government and the private sector, because AI does not operate in a vacuum."

He noted that the government also wants to bring together academia to train and educate the new users and students at all levels to the uses and implementation of AI.

Mr. Watson said there is another side as it relates to academia, which is training persons to be experts in AI. "The government wants to promote that as much as possible, so that we can get some of that 170 million new jobs that will be a derivative of AI."

Ambassador at Large His Excellency Gilbert Morris moderated the session. Ambassador of Romania to The Bahamas Her Excellency Theodora Doris Mircea and Spanish Ambassador to The Bahamas His Excellency Jose Maria Fernandez Lopez de Turiso were also a part of the panel discussion.

The Ambassadors explained that their countries wish to collaborate as well as offer expertise in the area of AI to The Bahamas and the wider region.

(BIS Photos/Ulric Woodside)