Saunders Pitches Smart/Safe City, Digital Transformation In Budget Debate

Minister of Innovation, Technology and Energy E. Jay Saunders has outlined an ambitious vision for a Smart/Safe City framework and sweeping digital transformation across government, as he delivered his contribution to the national Budget Debate in the House of Assembly on Wednesday.

SAUNDERS... The initiative will focus on leveraging technology to deter crime, improve surveillance, strengthen data governance, and enhance emergency response capabilities.

Central to the Minister’s presentation was the push to modernize governance systems, enhance public safety, and improve access to services through technology-driven initiatives.

National ID Programme a “trusted ecosystem”

A key pillar of the strategy is the proposed National Digital ID Programme, backed by a $5 million capital allocation. Responding to questions raised during the debate, Saunders emphasized that the initiative is far more than a physical identification card.

“The value of the National ID is not in the card alone,” he told the House. “The real value is in the trusted identity ecosystem behind it.”

The programme aims to create a secure and verifiable identity framework for all legal residents, allowing individuals to reuse their information across government and private-sector services without repeated submissions. It will integrate with systems such as Digital Borders and contribute to the development of a National Population Register.

Saunders confirmed that governance structures are already in place, with technical teams working on interoperability and system architecture. Legislative efforts, including a National Digital ID law and Data Protection Act, are expected within this financial year, with the first IDs projected to be issued by late 2027.

Parliament to go digital with AI-assisted records

The Minister also announced plans for a new digital platform for Parliament, designed to improve transparency and public access. The system will feature an AI-assisted Hansard, capable of converting audio recordings of debates into searchable transcripts.

This, he said, will allow both lawmakers and the public to easily track legislative discussions, decisions, and commitments.

An upgraded Parliament website is also in development, offering centralized access to Bills, committee work, member profiles, and live-streamed proceedings. The platform is expected to launch in time for the 50th anniversary of Ministerial Government in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

Smart/Safe City strategy to tackle crime

Among the most notable proposals is the development of a National Smart/Safe City Strategy, to be carried out in collaboration with the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force.

The initiative will focus on leveraging technology to deter crime, improve surveillance, strengthen data governance, and enhance emergency response capabilities. Planned measures include smarter street lighting, advanced monitoring systems, and improved coordination among public safety agencies.

Saunders said the strategy is intended to deliver “a serious, practical and properly governed national approach” to public safety.

AI innovation in healthcare delivery

The Ministry has also secured a place in the World Bank’s Latin America and Caribbean AI Accelerator programme. The selected project will introduce an AI-assisted case management system to support the Treatment Abroad Programme (TAP).

The system is expected to streamline workflows, reduce delays, improve document management, and enhance accountability in handling overseas medical cases.

Digitisation drive to preserve national records

In addition, the government is investing $500,000 in a Digital Scanning Project under Customer and Government Information Services (CGIS). The initiative will expand the country’s capacity to digitize historical and government records, including archives, maps, photographs, and official documents.

The project will support national archival efforts, cultural preservation, and the creation of a digital sports history archive. It will also enable the digitisation of older editions of the official Gazette.

AI-powered E-Gazettes platform

Complementing this effort is the rollout of an AI-powered E-Gazettes platform, which will allow users to search, analyse, and extract information from official publications more efficiently.

Rather than manually reviewing documents, users will be able to query the system and receive answers based on Gazette records—improving research, transparency, and access to public information.

“Modern, responsible and people-centred Government”

Saunders said the combined initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and citizen-focused public service.

“These are investments in transparency, efficiency, public safety, and national development,” he stated. “They represent the kind of modern, responsible and people-centred Government we are working to build.”

The proposals form part of the broader 2026/27 budget framework, which continues to emphasize digital transformation and institutional strengthening across the Turks and Caicos Islands.