The center will establish synergies for the generation of an artificial intelligence ecosystem, through the formation of new research groups in this area; the development of research and postgraduate studies in the area of technologies; will increase joint work with public or private institutions; will promote scientific-technological transfer to the territory; and greater analytical and institutional intelligence capacity
Artificial intelligence is a topic of national interest, which was reflected in a long-term policy that aims to place Chile at the forefront worldwide, in this context – and following UNESCO recommendations in the sense that Universities, among other organizations, guide the development and use of this technology under scientific research and solid ethical evaluation—the University of Tarapacá will install an Artificial Intelligence Center for the Arica and Parinacota Region of the country.
This initiative is designed for a period of three years, with an investment of ten billion pesos (10.1 million euros) and has initial financing of $2.2 billion (2.2 million euros), which will come from the Fund of Strengthening 2030 of State Universities, plus $1.4 billion (1.4 million euros) contributed by the institution itself.
The rector of the University of Tarapacá, Dr. Emilio Rodríguez Ponce, explained that the project will allow the generation of computing capacity and the storage of large databases, in addition to the development of scientific research and the training of qualified professionals, working together with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA), an organization with which the UTA has had a collaboration agreement since February 2023.
In the first phase, he indicated, work is being done to advance the installation of data processing capacity and large-scale AI models, through the implementation of spaces, resources and high-performance technological infrastructure according to the needs for development. of AI, respecting the environment.
“In parallel, the establishment of synergies will be articulated for the generation of an artificial intelligence ecosystem, through the formation of new research groups in this area; the development of research and postgraduate studies in the area of technologies; increased joint work with public or private institutions; promotion of scientific-technological transfer to the territory; and greater analytical and institutional intelligence capacity,” Rodríguez explained.
The director of CENIA, Alvaro Soto, stated that “today the large Artificial Intelligence models require a computing and data infrastructure that does not exist, not only in Chile, but also in Latin America. Through the strategic alliance with the University of Tarapacá we will put Chile, and Arica in particular, in technological leadership that will also be powered by clean energy.»
The rector also highlighted that this project aims to have an impact not only at the national level but also in the South Central Andean Macro Region: “We hope to be an important option for all artificial intelligence requirements and it is a project that is agreed upon with CENIA, but we have also been involving the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, which is perfectly clear about the need to implement a project of this nature in the country.
“Although the Chilean system has strengths, one of the weaknesses is precisely the computing capacity. So, here we point to two structural issues that will allow us to strengthen Chile’s artificial intelligence system in conjunction with CENIA, which is the body that has the expertise,” he concluded.
Artificial intelligence is a topic of national interest, which was reflected in a long-term policy that aims to place Chile at the forefront worldwide, in this context – and following UNESCO recommendations in the sense that universities, among other organizations, guide the development and use of this technology under scientific research and solid ethical evaluation—– the U. of Tarapacá will install an Artificial Intelligence Center for the Arica and Parinacota Region.
This initiative is designed for a period of three years, with an investment of $10,000 million and has initial financing of $2,200 million, which will come from the 2030 Strengthening Fund of State Universities, plus $1,400 million contributed by the institution itself.
The rector of the University of Tarapacá, Dr. Emilio Rodríguez Ponce, explained that the project will allow the generation of computing capacity and the storage of large databases, in addition to the development of scientific research and the training of qualified professionals, working together with the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA), an organization with which the UTA has had a collaboration agreement since February 2023.
In the first phase, he indicated, work is being done to advance the installation of data processing capacity and large-scale AI models, through the implementation of spaces, resources and high-performance technological infrastructure according to the needs for development. of AI, respecting the environment.
“In parallel, the establishment of synergies will be articulated for the generation of an artificial intelligence ecosystem, through the formation of new research groups in this area; the development of research and postgraduate studies in the area of technologies; increased joint work with public or private institutions; promotion of scientific-technological transfer to the territory; and greater analytical and institutional intelligence capacity,” Rodríguez explained.
The director of CENIA, Alvaro Soto, stated that “today large Artificial Intelligence models require a computing and data infrastructure that does not exist, not only in Chile, but also in Latin America. Through the strategic alliance with the University of Tarapacá we will put Chile, and Arica in particular, in technological leadership that will also be powered by clean energy.»
The rector also highlighted that this project aims to have an impact not only at the national level but also in the South Central Andean Macro Region: “We hope to be an important option for all artificial intelligence requirements and it is a project that is agreed upon with CENIA, but we have also been involving the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation, which is perfectly clear about the need to implement a project of this nature in the country.
“Although the Chilean system has strengths, one of the weaknesses is precisely the computing capacity. So, here we point to two structural issues that will allow us to strengthen Chile’s artificial intelligence system in conjunction with CENIA, which is the body that has the expertise,” he concluded.
