Argentina is the second largest country in South America and eighth largest country in the world with the population of 45.4 million [1] and a GDP of approximately US$450 billion [2]. In the last couple of years, Argentina experienced a negative growth of GDP, which intensified during the pandemic of COVID 19 in 2020, when it amounted to -11.8%. It is expected that Argentina will experience a partial economic recovery with projected GDP growth of 4.9%. [3]
When it comes to AI development, according to the Oxford Insight’s Government AI Readiness Index, Argentina is ranked 53rd in the world and 4th in the region [4]. Furthermore, according to some estimates, if Argentina starts utilizing its full potential for AI, the country’s GDP would increase by 0.6 percentage points along with a significant boost of productivity. [5]
Having in mind the aforementioned facts, the Government of Argentina adopted AI National Plan (2019 – 2029) with the primary purpose to create a favorable climate in the country for development of AI solutions and AI innovations that are expected to benefit the SDGs, economic growth and improve the quality of life. [6] Also, the AI National Plan aims to promote the development of an AI ecosystem in the country while anticipating some of the risks the technology could pose, especially in ethics and data protection.“ [7]
When it comes to the use of AI solutions in the public sector, one of the most prominent examples is PROMETEA – an AI based system implemented by the Public Prosecutor’s office of Buenos Aires and developed in cooperation with Laboratory of Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Law of the University of Buenos Aires. [8]PROMETEA is described as a bureaucracy optimizer, designed to increase efficiency of the judicial system. Recent evaluations of its work are very promising and one of the results is a significant reduction of necessary time in the areas of Civil and Labor law. [9]
The AI ecosystem of Argentina, developed for commercial use entails a broad range of startups with many different solutions. One of the most successful is Satellogic – an AI based decision-making solution offering geospatial vertical analytics relevant for the areas of forestry, agriculture, finance and energy. [10]
Yet another successful AI based startup is Drixit – a software that provides active and passive monitoring of employees and equipment. The features of the product entail real-time monitoring, AI based patterns detection, integrations, alerts and notifications. [11]
The last couple of years have been very dynamic for AI development in Argentina and it is obvious that the country is making serious steps toward making the most of the economic benefits of tech innovations. Recent activities in the AI development field suggest a clear and decisive strive toward using AI both for social good and commercial use. It is an exciting time for Argentina as the country aspires at becoming a regional leader in this field, thus fulfilling the goals in the national plan, in the years to come.
References:
[1] “Argentina,” Encyclopædia Britannica (Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., January 18, 2021), https://www.britannica.com/place/Argentina
[2] “Overview,” World Bank, accessed January 22, 2021, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/argentina/overview
[3] Ibid.
[4] “Government AI Readiness Index 2020,” Oxford Insights, accessed January 22, 2021, https://www.oxfordinsights.com/government-ai-readiness-index-2020
[5] “How Artificial Intelligence Can Drive South America’s Growth,” accessed January 22, 2021, https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/pdf-49/accenture-how-artificial-intelligence-can-drive-south-americas-growth.pdf
[6] “Plan Nacional De IA Gobierno De Argentina,” IA Latam, accessed January 22, 2021, https://ia-latam.com/portfolio/plan-nacional-de-ia-gobierno-de-argentina/
[7] “BNamericas – Argentina Advances National AI Plan,” BNamericas.com, accessed January 22, 2021, https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/argentina-advances-national-ai-plan
[8] Juan G. Corvalán, “Prometea Experience. Using AI to Optimize Public Institutions,” CERIDAP, accessed January 22, 2021, https://ceridap.eu/prometea-experience-using-ai-to-optimize-public-institutions/
[9] Federico Ast, “Prometea, Artificial Intelligence in the Judicial System of Argentina,” Medium (Astec, June 23, 2020), https://medium.com/astec/prometea-artificial-intelligence-in-the-judicial-system-of-argentina-4dfbde079c40
[10] https://satellogic.com/, https://twitter.com/satellogic
[11] https://www.drixit.com/product, https://twitter.com/drixitcom