This Monday, the Cuban government unveiled the nation's first Artificial Intelligence (AI) Consortium, an initiative that brings together 22 founding members from universities, state institutions, and tech companies.
Launched during the opening day of the 2025 Havana International Fair (FIHAV), the project is designed to enhance national cooperation in innovation and progress toward a so-called greater "digital sovereignty."
According to Prensa Latina, the initiative was introduced by Rafael Luis Torralba, head of the Havana Scientific and Technological Park. He emphasized that the consortium emerges from a collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and various public and private entities.
Torralba stated that the primary goal is to unite the currently isolated efforts within Cuba, forming a collaborative network to share knowledge, projects, and AI-based technological solutions.
This announcement coincides with the presentation of the first space dedicated to artificial intelligence in Cuba, a digital ecosystem encompassing projects in smart cities, healthcare, art, education, and industry.
The executive highlighted that the consortium's creation will enable Cuba to actively engage in international AI forums and participate in global technological cooperation projects, while also boosting the development and training of homegrown solutions.
"We want to address our unique challenges and environments, ensuring that artificial intelligence genuinely benefits the Cuban economy and society," Torralba remarked, stressing the importance of training AI models tailored to the country's language and reality.
Among the highlighted projects is "Cecilia," a generative AI developed by the University of Havana, aimed at better understanding Cuban Spanish's natural language.
On the first day of FIHAV, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez declared, "Holding a fair under current conditions is a testament to our resilience and our concept of creative resistance."
The Presidency of Cuba noted on its Facebook page that the regime's goal is not solely to withstand the U.S. embargo but to do so "with creativity, development, partnerships, science, and innovation."
Key Aspects of Cuba's AI Initiative
What is the Cuban AI Consortium's main objective?
The main objective is to integrate isolated efforts within Cuba into a collaborative network for sharing knowledge, projects, and technological solutions based on AI.
How does the AI Consortium plan to enhance Cuba's digital sovereignty?
The consortium aims to strengthen national innovation cooperation and develop solutions that serve the Cuban economy and society, emphasizing the training of AI models suited to the country's language and context.
What are the potential benefits of Cuba's participation in international AI forums?
Participation in international forums could provide Cuba with opportunities for global technological cooperation, enhancing the development and training of local AI solutions.