SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican Republic signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Tuesday between the Dominican government and NVIDIA , a world leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerated computing.
During the signing ceremony, held in the Las Cariátides Hall of the National Palace , President Luis Abinader said that with this agreement the Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CEIA) is born, a space for students, researchers and entrepreneurs dedicated to training, research and technological innovation in the country.
“The CEIA will be a meeting point between the Government, academia and the private sector; a laboratory where the Dominican Republic will demonstrate that it not only consumes technology, but also creates it,” President Abinader stated.
The president emphasized that this alliance marks the beginning of a new stage in the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, whose objective is to turn the country into a regional center of innovation, technology and digital sovereignty, demonstrating that the country is prepared to lead in the region.
The agreement envisions the development of sovereign digital infrastructure , including a National Artificial Intelligence Factory equipped with cutting-edge technology. Furthermore, it will enable the training of over 1,000 Dominican professionals in AI by 2026 through the AI Academy/Hub DLI program.
The president emphasized that artificial intelligence will impact key sectors such as health, mobility, education, security, tourism, and finance , improving the population's quality of life. "Imagine hospitals with more accurate diagnoses, cities with smoother traffic, schools where each student learns at their own pace, and more sustainable tourism connected to our identity," he said.
“Today we are sowing the seeds of a smart, innovative, and sovereign Dominican Republic. This is the era of Dominican intelligence and our digital sovereignty. Today, we can say that we are the first to reach the future,” the head of state concluded.
It will foster the development of talent and emerging technologies
For his part, the Minister of the Presidency, José Ignacio Paliza , highlighted that the memorandum represents a milestone in the national vision of building an innovative, competitive country prepared for the challenges of the future.
This initiative aims to establish a strategic framework focused on promoting technological and data sovereignty , while driving innovation in priority sectors such as health, education, transportation, public safety, finance, and tourism.
Strategic priorities of the agreement
– Advance digital sovereignty by hosting data and artificial intelligence models locally, guaranteeing the protection and independence of national information assets.
– Strengthen national capabilities in digital infrastructure, local talent development and application of artificial intelligence solutions .
– To position the Dominican Republic as a hub for technology and artificial intelligence, boosting competitiveness and attracting regional and international investment.
– To improve the quality of life of citizens through artificial intelligence-based solutions that optimize health services, urban mobility, public safety and the tourist experience.
The minister thanked NVIDIA for their trust and shared vision of a modern, sovereign, and humane Dominican Republic.
Dominican Republic and the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence
Calista Redmond , NVIDIA's vice president of AI Nations, celebrated the signing of the agreement, highlighting the impact of AI on the economic, social, and educational , as well as on the daily lives of doctors, teachers, and students.
Redmond proposed starting its application in education and progressively expanding into areas such as traffic management and public services, strengthening the economy and positioning the Dominican Republic as a regional leader in technological innovation. He announced joint programs focused on education and industrial innovation , describing AI as an “industrial revolution” competitive and technologically advanced country .
