Chile presents the first National Policy on Artificial Intelligence
The pioneering work by the Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation Ministry includes the development of enabling factors, the use and development of AI technology and ethical and safety aspects. Alongside this national strategy, Minister Couve presented an action plan that brings together 70 priority measures and 185 initiatives from different public services. They focus on social and economic aspects and nurturing talent, all within a ten-year period.
This morning, Science Minister Andrés Couve presented Chile’s first National Policy on Artificial Intelligence and the Action Plan that will facilitate its adoption. They will benefit the population and the country’s sustainable development goals. The launch took place at the Cerro Calán Observatory and was attended by Science Undersecretary Carolina Torrealba, senators from the Future Challenges Commission, National Research and Development Agency (ANID) National Director Aisén Etcheverry, representatives from academia and civil society and tech entrepreneurs.
We use artificial intelligence (AI) in our daily lives when we want to know how to get somewhere in the city or when we choose which movies or songs to enjoy. This technology has the increasing potential to influence our daily lives and, in light of this, the documents presented this Thursday summarize the national strategy for the next ten years:
“Artificial intelligence is a part of the tech revolution that has been incorporated into our daily lives. This national policy allows us to promote the construction of capacities for its development and responsible use and aims to empower citizens to understand the opportunities and advantages it offers us, as well as the associated risks,” Minister Couve stated.
The minister explained that the policy is built on three pillars: the development of enabling factors; the use and development of AI technology; and ethical and safety aspects. “It is a demonstration of how the Science Ministry not only finances R+D+i, but also anticipates and strategically guides the development of the country through the generation and transfer of knowledge,” Minister Couve added.
“We need a new way of thinking about data science, which allows us to use it for the benefit of the population, so that we may reduce and not deepen the divisions that persist in our society. With this in mind, today we are happy to announce the first National Policy on Artificial Intelligence, developed through cross-sectional work with a group of leading experts in the field, who have agreed on a path towards building an ethical stance and developing concrete actions to address this dilemma, turning it into an opportunity for the country,” Undersecretary Torrealba explained.
It should be noted that collective collaboration was at the center of drafting the National AI Policy from the start, as a committee of 12 prominent specialists accompanied the process. In addition, more than 8,000 people participated in the process through public policy discussion groups, face-to-face and virtual activities throughout the country and a public consultation, which closed the preparation stage.
Chile thus joins a group of countries that are responding to one of the most pressing challenges for the transformation of technological progress in well-being and human development. Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia have all recently presented AI strategies in the region.
AI Action Plan
The Action Plan presented by the Science Ministry (MinCiencia) to promote the use and development of artificial intelligence brings together 70 priority actions and 185 initiatives that will have an impact on the social and economic fields and nurturing talent. It includes a US$26 billion public investment.
In the area of work, for example, the plan will seek to adapt and enhance certification or qualification tools for AI-related skills; encourage science and tech-based ventures; and promote training courses in AI technology. These initiatives are thanks to joint work carried out by the Labor Ministry, the Economy Ministry and Chile’s Economic Development Agency (CORFO).
The Action Plan also includes Chile Doctoral Scholarships abroad for AI-related programs; R+D collaboration initiatives between universities and the productive sector; and the creation of incentives and public-private agreements to offer employment in tech companies to professionals with doctorates.
The plan will also promote the infrastructural transformation of Chile into a global tech hub in the southern hemisphere. This will contribute to speeding up deployment of the 5G National Connectivity System, promoted by the Telecommunications Undersecretary’s Office, and to increasing Chile’s storage and processing capacity.
Download the National Policy on Artificial Intelligence and the Action Plan here.
Why does Chile need an Artificial Intelligence Policy?