A public-private partnership using cutting-edge cloud and artificial intelligence-based technologies aims to revolutionise government services and boost the country’s economy.

Diallo Rabain, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, today announced a $2.1 million, two-year taxpayer-funded contract with Bermuda telecommunications firm Paradise Mobile, along with Google Cloud — a suite of cloud computing services — and its global partner Abacus.

He called it a “milestone in Bermuda’s digital future”.

It marked the launch of the government digital transformation programme, a multiyear scheme integrating public services and government transactions into a single “secure digital platform”.

Mr Rabain was joined by Sam Tabbara, Paradise Mobile's chief executive, and Shoaib Khan, the managing director of Abacus for North America.

Mauro Miyake, the territory manager at Google responsible for public sector in the region, provided a recorded message.

Mr Rabain said the partnership would strengthen government services, expand “digital inclusion” and “set the foundation for a modern, responsive public sector”.

He called it a “fundamental shift” in the delivery of government services.

Mr Rabain added: “As we look ahead, Bermuda stands at a defining moment in its digital evolution — the world is rapidly changing, and nations that embrace innovation will be better positioned to thrive.”

He said the island aimed to be “among those leaders”.

Mr Rabain said efficiencies would ease life for citizens applying for licences and permits, making payments, accessing public records, signing documents and managing personal information held by the Government.

He added: “No more navigating multiple websites, lining up at counters or repeating information across the parties.

“A unified digital government experience will significantly reduce wait times, streamline service delivery and make it easier than ever for the public to engage with the Government.”

Mr Rabain described the partners as “some of the most innovative and capable organisations within the global technology ecosystem”, to keep data managed “responsibly and securely”.

“Privacy, cybersecurity and public trust will be at the centre of any decision that we make as this programme rolls out.”

Mr Tabbara said the partnership entailed “reimagining what is possible for our island nation with world-class talent, creativity and ambition”.

He said Paradise Mobile responded to the government RFP by offering technologies such as cloud and AI for an all-digital onboarding of services.

Mr Tabbara added: “We believe that Paradise stood out in the process because of our deep understanding of Bermuda’s unique challenges combined with the technical depth and global experience of our partners.

“Google will empower us with access to a world-class cloud platform and technology ecosystem that has powerful capabilities while keeping local expertise at the centre of delivery.

“Abacus’s proven global track record in delivering large-scale digital transformation programmes makes them a natural fit for an initiative of this scope and national importance.”

He said that Paradise had already set the digital transformation programme “well on the road to success” with internal and customer-facing platforms built in Bermuda, allowing tasks that once took “days or weeks” to be completed in minutes.

He said the island could embrace AI and digital-first service to become an innovation hub and a “Silicon Valley of the Atlantic”.

Mr Khan said the programme was the foundation of what could be “the world’s first truly AI-powered island, designed from the outset with the human in the loop”.

He added: “This is what world-class governance looks like.”

Asked if extra resources would be needed, Mr Rabain said the programme marked “an exciting time” for people studying in the field to “come and give back to their country”.

He said recruitment of “persons with experience in AI and cloud programming, engineers and such” would be required in the next few years, but did not indicate how many jobs might be created.

He added that the programme’s phased implementation would start with a “110-day sprint” in January, launching ten specific areas to demonstrate the technology’s capabilities to the public.