Position Summary

The Ministry of Innovation and National Development is seeking a Director of Artificial Intelligence to lead the development and stewardship of the national approach to artificial intelligence for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The Director will serve as the Government’s principal expert on artificial intelligence policy, regulation, and safeguards, guiding the design of the national regulatory framework, supporting the preparation of artificial intelligence legislation, and ensuring that the adoption of artificial intelligence across government and the wider economy proceeds responsibly, ethically, and in the national interest.

This is a foundational appointment intended to endure beyond any single initiative. The Director will help establish the permanent institutional capability through which artificial intelligence is governed in The Bahamas, and is expected to form part of the ongoing national authority responsible for technology and artificial intelligence governance as it is established and matures. The successful candidate will combine deep subject matter expertise with the judgement, integrity, and institutional mindset required to build a governance function designed to serve the country in perpetuity.

Reporting Relationship

The Director of Artificial Intelligence reports to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation and National Development and works in close coordination with the Office of the Attorney General, Legislative Counsel, government agencies, regulators, and national and international partners. Upon establishment of the national technology and innovation governance authority, the role is expected to transition into that body and continue its mandate from within it.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Framing and Policy Development

Lead the design of the national artificial intelligence regulatory framework, including the definition of scope, risk classifications, obligations, prohibited practices, and oversight mechanisms appropriate to the Bahamian context.
Develop national artificial intelligence policy positions across key domains, including public sector use, private sector adoption, data protection alignment, labour and workforce impact, intellectual property, consumer protection, elections integrity, the protection of children, and the administration of justice.
Benchmark international frameworks and standards, including those of major jurisdictions and standards bodies, and adapt leading practice to the needs and capacity of The Bahamas.
Advise the Ministry and the wider Government on emerging artificial intelligence developments, risks, and opportunities, and maintain a forward view of the technology’s trajectory.

Legislative Support

Support the preparation of national artificial intelligence legislation, including the development of policy instructions, consultation materials, and technical input to drafting.
Work with the Office of the Attorney General and Legislative Counsel to ensure that legislative provisions are technically sound, enforceable, and coherent with the broader digital governance legal framework.
Support the parliamentary process through briefings, technical explanations, and responses to questions arising during consideration of artificial intelligence related instruments.
Develop subsidiary instruments, codes of practice, standards, and guidance required to give practical effect to the legislative framework.

Safeguards, Ethics, and Responsible Use

Design and implement safeguards governing the use of artificial intelligence in government, including risk assessment processes, human oversight requirements, transparency obligations, procurement standards, and incident reporting.
Establish ethical principles and assurance mechanisms for artificial intelligence systems affecting citizens, ensuring fairness, accountability, explainability, privacy, and non discrimination.
Develop evaluation and audit approaches for high risk artificial intelligence applications, including systems used in public administration and service delivery.
Advise on the safe handling of artificial intelligence risks relating to security, misinformation, critical infrastructure, and vulnerable populations.

Artificial Intelligence for Good and National Adoption

Champion the beneficial application of artificial intelligence in areas of national priority, including education, health, climate resilience, disaster preparedness, financial inclusion, and the delivery of public services.
Identify and shape flagship initiatives that demonstrate responsible artificial intelligence adoption and deliver measurable value to Bahamian citizens.
Support capacity building across the public service, including artificial intelligence literacy, practitioner training, and the development of internal expertise.
Encourage responsible innovation in the private sector through clear guidance, regulatory sandboxes where appropriate, and engagement with industry.

Institutional Development and the National Authority

Help design and stand up the permanent artificial intelligence governance function within the national technology and innovation governance authority, including its mandate, structures, processes, and staffing.
Serve as a continuing senior officer of that authority upon its establishment, providing stability and institutional memory for the national artificial intelligence agenda.
Build durable governance instruments, registers, and review mechanisms designed to remain effective as the technology and its uses evolve.
Establish monitoring and reporting arrangements that give the Government and the public ongoing visibility into the state of artificial intelligence adoption and compliance.

Stakeholder and International Engagement

Lead consultation with government agencies, regulators, industry, academia, civil society, and the public on artificial intelligence policy and regulation.
Represent The Bahamas in regional and international forums on artificial intelligence governance and contribute to the development of international norms.
Build partnerships with standards bodies, multilateral organisations, research institutions, and peer governments to strengthen national capability.

Qualifications and Experience

Required

An advanced degree in law, public policy, computer science, engineering, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and distinguished professional experience.
A minimum of 7 years of professional experience, including substantial senior experience in technology policy, regulation, or governance, with demonstrable depth in artificial intelligence.
Deep working knowledge of international artificial intelligence governance frameworks and standards, including risk based regulatory models, management system standards, and intergovernmental principles and recommendations.
Demonstrated experience supporting the development of legislation, regulation, or binding policy instruments, including working with legal drafters and navigating government decision making processes.
A strong grasp of the underlying technology, including machine learning, large language models, and data systems, sufficient to engage credibly with technical practitioners and to translate technical realities into sound policy.
Demonstrated commitment to the ethical and beneficial application of artificial intelligence, including experience designing or applying safeguards for fairness, accountability, transparency, and privacy.
Proven ability to build institutions, teams, or programmes from an early stage and to establish durable structures and processes.

Preferred

Experience within a government, regulator, standards body, or intergovernmental organisation working on artificial intelligence or digital policy.
Experience advising at cabinet, board, or executive level on technology governance matters.
Familiarity with the governance challenges of small states, including capacity constraints, dependence on external vendors, and the importance of digital sovereignty.
A record of publication, public speaking, or recognised thought leadership in artificial intelligence policy or ethics.

Competencies

Exceptional analytical ability, with the capacity to reduce complex technical and legal questions to clear, actionable advice.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare cabinet quality documents and to explain artificial intelligence issues to non specialist audiences.
The highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and discretion, befitting a role of national trust.
Sound judgement under uncertainty, with the ability to balance innovation and opportunity against risk and public protection.
Strong stakeholder leadership, with the ability to build consensus across government, industry, and civil society.
A long term institutional orientation, with a commitment to building capability that outlasts individual projects and administrations.

Terms of Engagement

The position is full time and based in Nassau, New Providence. Remuneration will be commensurate with the seniority of the role and the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate. The appointment is intended as a contractual engagement.

Ministry of Innovation & National Development jobs

Director of Artificial Intelligence