BTN News: Andicom 2024, Colombia’s most significant technology and telecommunications event, recently concluded in Cartagena, drawing over 6,000 attendees, including industry leaders, tech experts, and key digital players. This year, the spotlight shined on two major announcements set to accelerate Colombia’s digital transformation: the launch of the Observatorio Nacional de Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (Ontic) and a groundbreaking partnership between Nvidia and Oracle to advance artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities in the country. These initiatives are expected to position Colombia at the forefront of technological innovation in Latin America, driving growth in AI and data-driven decision-making.
Revolutionizing Digital Transformation: The Ontic Initiative
The unveiling of the Observatorio Nacional TIC marks a critical step towards Colombia’s journey to becoming a digital powerhouse. Introduced by Mauricio Lizcano, the country’s Minister of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), this new platform will serve as a comprehensive public-access portal providing essential data on the country’s digital landscape. With an investment of 1 billion pesos, the Ontic aims to offer real-time insights into connectivity, innovation, and AI adoption, empowering both government entities and private sector stakeholders to make informed decisions.
“The Ontic represents a significant leap forward in our commitment to a fully digital nation,” stated Minister Lizcano during his presentation at Andicom. “With Google’s AI technology, we can monitor our digital infrastructure progress in real-time, closing the digital divide and guiding Colombia towards a future of enhanced connectivity.”
Nvidia and Oracle: Boosting Colombia’s AI Capabilities
In a move that promises to reshape Colombia’s AI landscape, Nvidia, a global leader in advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), has joined forces with Oracle, a leader in cloud computing, to enhance local AI infrastructure. Through this alliance, Oracle will deploy Nvidia’s latest GPUs in its Colombian cloud region, significantly increasing the country’s data processing capacity.
The deployment of Nvidia’s GPUs, widely recognized as the industry standard for AI tasks due to their exceptional parallel processing capabilities, will democratize access to AI tools across various sectors. By increasing the number of GPUs by 21 times, Oracle aims to support complex AI tasks like image processing, computer vision, and machine learning, which have previously been constrained by a lack of local infrastructure.
Why Local AI Infrastructure Matters
Local availability of Nvidia GPUs offers several key advantages. Reduced latency will allow Colombian businesses and developers to handle real-time data more efficiently, optimizing decision-making processes and enhancing operational efficiency. Moreover, keeping sensitive data within national borders will enable organizations to comply with local privacy and security regulations while utilizing state-of-the-art technology.
According to Oracle, AI is set to be a significant economic driver in Latin America, with projections indicating that up to 40% of the region’s revenue will stem from AI projects within the next two years. The introduction of GPUs such as Nvidia’s L40, which are optimized for inference and computer vision, will enable both startups and established corporations in Colombia to explore new opportunities in developing advanced AI applications.
Empowering Future Talent and Innovation
The Nvidia-Oracle partnership goes beyond just infrastructure. Oracle is committed to fostering AI talent in Colombia by expanding its educational programs. Initiatives like Oracle Academy and Oracle University will provide training in essential AI skills, equipping professionals and students with the knowledge needed to navigate and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
Marcelo Christianini, Oracle’s Vice President of AI and Cloud Engineering for Latin America, emphasized the strategic significance of this investment: “Our substantial investment in AI infrastructure reflects Oracle’s determination to lead technological innovation in Latin America. This partnership underscores our commitment to driving growth and competitiveness through advanced AI solutions in this key market.”
A Shared Vision for a Digital Future
The launch of Ontic and the Nvidia-Oracle AI initiative represent a unified vision for Colombia’s future—a vision where data accuracy and AI technology work hand in hand to bridge technological gaps and enhance citizens’ quality of life. The new AI infrastructure, combined with the comprehensive data from Ontic, will empower Colombia to advance towards a fully digital economy, making informed decisions backed by data and innovative technology.
Positioning Colombia as a Regional Tech Leader
With the introduction of Nvidia’s AI infrastructure, Colombia is poised to become a regional leader in digital transformation. Local businesses that previously relied on international solutions can now access cutting-edge technology within the country, significantly reducing costs and implementation times. This development is expected to fuel local innovation and pave the way for new tech startups focused on AI.
Conclusion: A Milestone Moment for Colombia’s Tech Landscape
Andicom 2024 has marked a pivotal moment for Colombia, showcasing its commitment to becoming a digital leader in Latin America. The launch of the Observatorio Nacional TIC and the arrival of Nvidia GPUs through Oracle’s cloud infrastructure are set to play a crucial role in this transformation. These initiatives highlight a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to harness the power of AI and data, driving Colombia towards a more connected, innovative, and competitive future.
