"We want to lead from the awareness of the importance of ethics in how this is deployed nationally and internationally," says Chile's Minister of Science, Aisén Etcheverry, who highlights the country's consolidation as a key global player in the development of this technology.
A comprehensive strategy that combines investments in research and development, innovative public policies and strategic collaborations between the public, private and academic sectors. This has been the key to the process that has allowed Chile to position itself as a regional benchmark in artificial intelligence (AI).
According to the Latin American AI Index 2023, conducted by the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA), Chile ranks first in the region, standing out in key aspects such as infrastructure, professional training, research and adoption of AI technologies.
In recent years, the country has experienced remarkable progress in this area and the Chilean state has taken decisive steps to integrate science and technology in all sectors. The development of AI is emerging as a major tool for the future.
"Artificial intelligence happens in a collaborative way and Chile has competencies. But those competencies have to be in line with international capabilities, because we must always be at the forefront of the knowledge that is created. This is also achieved by making it known that Chile is not only a country of mining and fruits, but also a country of talent and generation of highly sophisticated services", says the Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, Aisén Etcheverry to the international press.
A National Policy and a Bill
One of the most significant milestones has been the implementation of a National Artificial Intelligence Policy, updated in 2021 and oriented towards ethics and governance . This policy includes an Action Plan covering nearly 200 actions to be implemented over the next 10 years, designed to harness the benefits of AI while protecting the rights and security of citizens.
Guido Girardi, executive vice-president of Fundación Encuentros del Futuro, explains that "from Congreso Futuro we convened Chilean universities, the Academy of Sciences, the Senate, the Chamber of Deputies, the private world, and we drew up the first artificial intelligence policy. When you have a common, shared vision that unites the country and brings it together in the face of specific challenges, you make a lot of progress", he says.
The government also introduced an AI Bill that promotes responsible innovation and establishes a clear regulatory framework for its application in critical sectors such as health and safety.
"We want to lead, but lead from a specific place, which is from an awareness of the importance of ethics in how this is deployed nationally and internationally," says Minister Etcheverry .
Along these lines, Chile has implemented initiatives to promote the ethical and responsible use of AI in the public sector, highlighting the recent circular that urges public services to adopt safe and ethical AI technologies. Progress is also being made in the creation of a regulatory framework that classifies AI systems according to risk, ensuring that their implementation without compromising fundamental rights.
In the academic field, Chile has strengthened its AI research capacity, working together with the different universities. It already has the first PhD in AI in Latin America.