Colombia needs a plan for digitization and internet access

With more than 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Carmen Artigas Brugal, current Secretary of State for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence of the Spanish government, is considered one of the leading experts on issues related to big data and artificial intelligence. In an interview with Portafolio, Artigas spoke about the progress that has been made in Spain and the guidelines that Colombia could follow on its path to digitization.

(Read: Application will allow you to track wood illegally extracted from the Amazon).

How do you see Colombia in terms of digital transformation and what challenge should it face?

Colombia is in an intermediate position in the economy and society digitization index, ranking 62 out of 155 countries, according to the 2021 World Economic Forum report. One of the main challenges it faces is access to technology and the internet, especially in rural areas. Another important challenge is the training of human capital specialized in technology and digital transformation.

Although the country has a young and increasingly educated workforce, there is still a gap in the training of professionals in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and programming.

Finally, it seems important to improve the ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship, to encourage the development of startups and innovative projects in the country. This implies improving access to financing, supporting the development of infrastructures and technological tools, as well as promoting an entrepreneurial culture. This challenge is common, also in Spain, which is why, in addition to the Startup Law, we have launched the Next Tech Fund, 4,000 million euros of public-private financing, to support large technological projects that generate wealth and quality employment.

Carmen Artigas Brugal, current Secretary of State for Digitization and Artificial Intelligence of the Spanish government

Courtesy

What are the technologies that companies in Colombia should implement?

I would definitely mention six technologies that are important. First I mention cloud computing, since cloud solutions allow data to be stored and processed more efficiently and at a lower cost. In second position, I highlight big data and data analysis, since it allows a greater capacity to collect, analyze and use data within companies. Then there is artificial intelligence and automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and lastly, virtual and augmented reality.

How can you take advantage of the benefits of artificial intelligence with all the growth of ChatGPT?

In education, we must end the traditional division between science and letters. Establishing a barrier between knowledge only limits the abilities of the human being to develop in a constantly changing world. A philosopher or an archaeologist will need to have programming skills or knowledge of advanced statistics to carry out their investigations. In the same way that a computer engineer must have knowledge of ethics, linguistics or humanities when programming. AI is far from being a threat to humans, it gives us power. We will be the ones who control it and imprint our values ​​on it.

(See: The Samsung app that lets you turn your iPhone into a Galaxy.)

At present, how should the talent that enters technology companies prepare?

It must be taken into account that, right now, there is four times more demand than supply of qualified positions. The skills of the future are summarized, according to the World Economic Forum in the 5Cs: computational thinking, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. Only by promoting these multidisciplinary profiles and with differential talent will we be able to take the step. For this, basic and qualified digital skills are essential. Spain has a National Plan for them with a budget of 3,750 million euros and the goal that by 2025 80% of citizens have at least basic skills.

What should Colombia learn from the advances that Spain has made?

Spain has gone from 11th to 7th place in digitization in the DESI Index (Digital Economy and Society Index) of the entire European Union in just two years. For this, the help of the European Next Generation EU Funds has been invaluable. But, in addition to investments, reforms are needed, because without them it is like watering the desert. In this regard, Spain has had the ability to create a well-structured and ambitious plan to promote digitization projects, to which we have allocated 30% of the funds: the Digital Spain 2026 Agenda.

We are delighted that this agenda serves as an example to friendly countries with which we share not only strategic and economic interests, but also values ​​and principles, such as Colombia.

In the entrepreneurship part, what are the challenges you see in the Colombian ecosystem? What would you advise entrepreneurs?

My advice would be to seek support and mentoring in Colombia and beyond its borders, such as in Spain. Find networks and organizations that can provide guidance and support throughout the business creation and management process. We have launched a portal for entrepreneurs called Spain Startups, which, although it is very focused on the Spanish legal framework, can serve as a source of inspiration for Colombian entrepreneurs. In it we give advice on financing channels, on tax incentives in our country and on the networks that can be woven within the ecosystem. I think that Colombia would greatly benefit from a similar initiative.

(See: Jobs Affected by AI Chatbots.)

JOHANA LORDUY
Portfolio Journalist