Colombia's Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies is finalizing a plan to attract investments in artificial intelligence (AI) through tax incentives. According to Mauricio Lizcano, head of the portfolio, the Ministry is awaiting presidential approval to implement measures that will offer significant tax benefits to companies investing in AI in the country.
The announcement was made during the Latin American and Caribbean Ministerial Summit ColombIA, where 16 countries agreed to develop a common strategy in artificial intelligence. This joint effort aims to maximize the opportunities offered by this technology and strengthen international cooperation in the region.
Lizcano, in an interview with the newspaper La República, explained that the proposal would include tax deductions for companies that invest in artificial intelligence processes. These measures seek to reactivate the Colombian economy and encourage an industry that promises to increase the country's productivity and competitiveness.
On Tuesday, August 13, Lizcano will meet with President Gustavo Petro to discuss the proposal's details. This meeting is crucial in implementing policies that could transform Colombia's technological and economic environment. In addition, the government plans to invest $75 million to create advanced training centers in AI. The project contemplates the construction of two large centers in Zipaquirá and Bogotá, with an initial investment of $37.5 million.
Mauricio Lizcano pointed out that the total investment for this project will be almost $125 million. This effort aims to position Colombia as a regional leader in artificial intelligence, providing the country with state-of-the-art infrastructure and fostering the training of human talent.
In an additional announcement, Lizcano presented the creation of the first artificial intelligence faculty in Latin America. This faculty at the Universidad de Caldas in Manizales will begin its activities in the third week of August. The investment for this project amounts to $10 million, and the faculty will initially have seven academic programs focused on advanced technologies.
According to information from Infobae, Lizcano also stressed that the construction of the faculty will take approximately two years but has already reached a critical point in its development. With these projects, the Colombian government seeks to consolidate its position as a reference in artificial intelligence in the region.