Colombia recently passed a new National Policy for Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, which aims to promote the strategic use of digital technologies in the country to impulse productivity and increase welfare amongst citizens. The policy sets a guideline for all the changes that are necessary to prepare the country for the new challenges and opportunities that are stemming from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which is changing in a structural manner the way in which we live, work and interact with each other, and will impact many of the predominant systems we live in.
This policy is aware of the different barriers that may keep businesses and State entities from getting fully incorporated in the digital world and adopting new technologies. For example, in the private sector, it highlights that a lack of culture, knowledge, budget and mentality, are some of the main factors that might explain why a full successful digital transformation has not been accomplished. Therefore, one of the goals is to attack these barriers, which are currently blocking the implementation of digital technologies.
Furthermore, it seeks to create the necessary conditions to foster digital innovation in the country, both in the public and private spheres. Human capital is essential in this process, understanding that there are barriers that keep Colombians from being included in this new digital world. In this line, another of the goals of this policy is to strengthen the digital skills of citizens.
Finally, this policy considers the possible social and economic changes that might come from the development of new artificial intelligence, which is affecting efficiency and productivity. Even though Colombia is a member of the OECD, it has not yet implemented its principles and guidelines in terms of artificial intelligence, which include good practices for promoting, implementing and developing AI, in a way that promotes innovation, and a respect of human rights and democratic values. In this context, this policy seeks to prepare the country for all the changes from AI.
In the short term, the policy sets a course of action that assigns the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, and Tourism, the responsibility of creating a line of services for digital transformation. In this regard, Colombian companies will receive diagnosis and support from the Ministry, for the efficient implementation of new technologies in the workplace.
Under this roadmap, the accomplishment of goals set forth by the policy will take place within the following five (5) years, under an approximate investment of COP 121.6 billion.
Original source in Spanish:
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