Caribbean enterprises are gearing up to integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into their cybersecurity frameworks by 2026, as revealed by PricewaterhouseCoopers’ (PwC) 2026 Global Digital Trust Insights Survey. Despite this forward-looking approach, the survey underscores a stark reality: only a minuscule six percent of global organizations are fully equipped to combat the escalating wave of cyber threats. The study, which gathered insights from nearly 4,000 business and technology executives across 72 countries, highlights that 78 percent of organizations plan to bolster their cybersecurity budgets in the coming year, with AI investments leading the charge at 36 percent. However, significant challenges persist, including a glaring skills gap in AI application for cyber defense (50 percent) and a lack of relevant expertise (41 percent). The financial stakes are high, with 27 percent of businesses reporting that their most damaging data breach in the last three years cost at least $1 million. In the Caribbean, where digital adoption and cross-island connectivity are on the rise, the urgency for robust cyber resilience is more pronounced than ever. Tracie Greenidge, Director of Risk Assurance at PwC East Caribbean, emphasized the region’s opportunity to lead with innovation and resilience by investing in smart technologies and fostering cross-island collaboration. The survey also revealed that nearly half of cybersecurity leaders face workforce shortages, particularly in securing operational technology and industrial Internet of Things (IoT) systems, which are critical to infrastructure, transport, and industry.