Port of Spain | August 21, 2026: In a bold move to equip the next generation of professionals with high-demand digital skills, the Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation (UTC) hosted a two-week Intern AI Innovation Programme. Moving beyond basic digital literacy, the initiative challenged a diverse cohort of 26 academic and life-skills interns to build functional, AI-driven business prototypes using real-world agile development methodologies.
The immersive programme culminated on Thursday, August 20th, with a high-stakes final showcase where three intern teams pitched their solutions to UTC’s executive leadership and a wider corporate audience. The projects tackled distinct strategic opportunities: a Digital Concierge platform to simplify investing for new customers, a secure KYC portal to streamline compliance, and YouthTC – a targeted marketing campaign designed to engage the next generation of investors.
Before the presentations began, UTC Executive Director Nigel Edwards reflected on a mural depicting UTC’s evolution, underscoring the interns’ role in shaping what lies ahead. “The reality is that they are the future of UTC. They have the ability to create what’s next,” Edwards stated. Following the presentations, he commended the viability of their concepts, adding, “They produced the beginning of what’s actually possible.”
The curriculum trained interns in Generative AI, Agentic AI, and Agile project management, combining Microsoft Copilot assessments with direct guidance from UTC leaders. Teams then executed five-day development sprints to rapidly test and refine their prototypes.
Highlighting the strategic value, Dale Deserve, Head of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at UTC, shared his perspective on the initiative:
“For me, the AI Programme was a powerful reminder that innovation does not always begin with deep technical expertise – sometimes it begins with curiosity, fresh eyes, and the courage to question how things are done. By pairing emerging AI tools with real business challenges, these young minds showed us what can happen when we create room for fresh thinking without the limits of ‘how we have always done it.”
On Friday, August 21st, the cohort officially graduated from the overall internship programme. Beyond their tech achievements, the interns gained valuable cross-functional skills and practical industry insights while working alongside various UTC departments, including Finance, Investments, Marketing, and Human Resources.
The initiative reinforces UTC’s ongoing commitment to building a culture of innovation, identifying practical digital opportunities, and nurturing future-ready professionals across the corporate landscape.
