MAP and UNDP analyze the landscape of artificial intelligence in the Dominican Republic

The results of this analysis will serve as the basis for the elaboration of a country report that will include findings, strategic priorities and concrete initiatives for the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence in the coming years

Santo Domingo. – The Ministry of Public Administration (MAP), with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), carried out a technical mission to conduct the Analysis of the Artificial Intelligence Landscape (AILA) in the Dominican Republic, a process that seeks to analyze the current state of the Artificial Intelligence ecosystem in the country and its level of preparedness to take advantage of this technology in the development and modernization of the State.

AILA is a methodology developed by UNDP that allows diagnosing the degree of preparation of a country to take advantage of artificial intelligence for human development. The AILA process is structured around three strategic pillars: the development of the artificial intelligence ecosystem (talent, infrastructure, data), the Government's capacity to use AI in the provision of services, and the regulatory and ethical frameworks that ensure its responsible use. This evaluation complements the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (ENIA) previously developed by the country with the support of UNESCO, providing an operational diagnosis that will guide its implementation in the coming years. The Vice Minister of Innovation and Technology of the MAP, Armando Manzueta, highlighted that this process contributes to boosting the digital transformation of the State. “Artificial intelligence represents an opportunity to strengthen the efficiency of the public sector and improve the quality of the services we offer to citizens. This analysis will allow us to identify the capabilities we must strengthen to move towards a more innovative and results-oriented public administration”, he expressed. The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in the Dominican Republic, Sanja Bojanic, explained that the organization accompanies countries in understanding the impact of these technologies on human development. “The AILA offers countries a structured process to analyze their preparedness in terms of artificial intelligence and design actions for inclusive and responsible development, with measurable benefits for people and communities. UNDP accompanies this process alongside the Ministry of Public Administration, the Government Office of Information and Communication Technologies, and the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications.

“We do it convinced that bringing together governments, the private sector, civil society and academia is the only basis for collective action towards an artificial intelligence centered on people. An artificial intelligence that is inclusive by design, responsible by conviction and sustainable over time”, Bojanic pointed out.

As part of the mission, a work agenda was developed that included opening sessions, technical presentations, and spaces for dialogue with multiple actors in the digital ecosystem. Among the activities, the presentation of the vision towards a digital public administration focused on citizenship, the review of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and discussions on human development in the age of artificial intelligence stood out. Furthermore, technical workshops were held to analyze preliminary evaluation results, contrast them with evidence and participant experiences, and identify strategic priorities to strengthen the use of artificial intelligence in the country. The results of this analysis will serve as the basis for the elaboration of a country report that will include findings, strategic priorities, and concrete initiatives to guide the development and responsible implementation of artificial intelligence in the Dominican Republic in the coming years.