National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Dominican Republic

The Estrategia Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (ENIA) de la República Dominicana is a comprehensive framework designed to guide the country’s adoption and integration of artificial intelligence in various sectors. Developed as part of the national digital innovation agenda, this strategy aims to position the Dominican Republic as a leader in AI within the Latin American and Caribbean region. The ENIA is aligned with the Política Nacional de Innovación 2030 and the Agenda Digital 2030, reinforcing the country’s commitment to technological progress while maintaining a strong ethical foundation.

The purpose of this strategy is to harness AI as a transformative force for economic growth, government modernisation, and regional integration. It seeks to create an ecosystem where AI is used responsibly to improve public services, strengthen technological sovereignty, and develop human capital. By fostering public-private partnerships and encouraging research and development, the ENIA envisions a future where AI contributes to sustainable development and social progress.

The strategy has a broad scope, encompassing areas such as governance, education, data infrastructure, and industrial applications. It addresses the ethical and legal considerations of AI, ensuring that the deployment of these technologies aligns with democratic values and human rights. The implementation of the strategy involves close collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, academia, and civil society, ensuring that AI benefits all sectors of society.

Goals of the strategy

• Develop Industry 4.0 by integrating AI into key economic sectors to enhance productivity and competitiveness.
• Strengthen technological and data sovereignty to ensure the Dominican Republic maintains control over its digital infrastructure and intellectual property.
• Position the Dominican Republic as a regional hub for AI research, innovation, and investment, fostering international collaborations and economic growth.

Focus areas

• Government intelligence: Enhancing the efficiency and transparency of public administration through AI-driven decision-making and service delivery.
• Talent and innovation: Building a workforce skilled in AI through educational programs, research initiatives, and industry partnerships.
• Data infrastructure: Establishing secure and scalable data management systems to support AI applications across different sectors.
• Regional integration: Strengthening partnerships with Latin American and Caribbean nations to drive AI advancements at a regional level.

Government intelligence

The Government intelligence program is a key component of the ENIA, designed to modernise public administration through the adoption of AI-driven technologies. Its primary objective is to create a more efficient, transparent, and responsive government by integrating AI into decision-making processes and service delivery. The program focuses on optimising administrative procedures, improving data management, and ensuring that AI applications adhere to ethical and regulatory standards.

Through the Gobierno Inteligente initiative, AI will be used to enhance various public services, including healthcare, education, justice, and security. This will enable the government to provide personalised and data-driven solutions to citizens, improving overall service quality. A significant aspect of this initiative is the implementation of AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants to facilitate communication between citizens and government agencies.

Additionally, this program seeks to foster public-private partnerships to accelerate AI adoption within the public sector. By collaborating with industry leaders and academic institutions, the government aims to develop AI solutions tailored to the country’s specific needs. Ethical considerations are a central focus, ensuring that AI applications uphold fundamental rights, promote fairness, and mitigate biases.

Talent and innovation

The #YoSoyFuturoRD initiative is the cornerstone of the ENIA’s efforts to build AI expertise in the Dominican Republic. Recognising that human capital is the driving force behind technological advancements, this program is dedicated to developing a highly skilled workforce capable of leading AI innovation.

The program includes educational reforms, professional training, and research grants to support AI-related studies. Partnerships with universities and technical institutions will play a crucial role in equipping students and professionals with the necessary skills to work in AI-driven industries. The initiative also encourages entrepreneurship in AI, providing resources and funding for startups working on AI solutions.

Another important aspect of this program is its commitment to inclusivity. Special attention is given to ensuring that underrepresented groups, including women and marginalised communities, have access to AI education and career opportunities. By fostering a diverse and skilled workforce, the Dominican Republic aims to create a thriving AI ecosystem that is both innovative and socially responsible.

Data infrastructure

The HUB de Datos is a strategic initiative designed to establish a robust and secure data management infrastructure in the Dominican Republic. Recognising that data is a fundamental resource for AI development, this program focuses on creating systems that enable efficient data collection, storage, and analysis while ensuring privacy and security.

A key objective of this initiative is to reduce dependence on foreign data centers by building national infrastructure capable of handling large-scale AI applications. This will allow the Dominican Republic to maintain sovereignty over its data while also offering cloud and AI processing services to other countries in the region.

The HUB de Datos also aims to promote open data policies, encouraging public and private institutions to share anonymised data for research and innovation purposes. Transparency and accountability are central to this initiative, ensuring that data is used ethically and in compliance with national and international regulations. By fostering collaboration between government agencies, businesses, and research institutions, the initiative will enable the development of AI solutions that drive economic and social progress.

Regional integration

The Escala Regional initiative is the ENIA’s approach to positioning the Dominican Republic as a leader in AI within Latin America and the Caribbean. The program emphasises the importance of cross-border collaborations to accelerate AI research, share best practices, and develop regional policies that ensure responsible AI deployment.

Through partnerships with international organisations, academic institutions, and industry leaders, the Dominican Republic seeks to create a regional AI ecosystem that fosters innovation and competitiveness. The initiative also involves active participation in global AI governance discussions, advocating for ethical standards that align with democratic values.

A significant aspect of this initiative is its focus on AI-driven economic development. By integrating AI into key industries such as agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing, the Dominican Republic aims to boost productivity and attract foreign investment. The Proyecto LATAM 4.0 is a key component of this effort, fostering collaboration between Latin American nations to develop AI technologies that address regional challenges.

Implementation and monitoring

The successful implementation of the ENIA relies on a structured plan of action that includes policy reforms, investment strategies, and regulatory frameworks. The government has established dedicated agencies, such as the Dirección General de Innovación y Desarrollo Digital, to oversee the execution of AI initiatives. Regular assessments and performance indicators will be used to track progress and make necessary adjustments.

The financing of AI projects will be supported through a combination of public funding, private investments, and international partnerships. The government aims to create incentives for AI startups and research institutions, ensuring sustainable growth in the sector.

A critical aspect of the strategy is its commitment to ethical AI governance. The Dominican Republic will implement regulations to address issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the impact of AI on employment. By prioritising transparency and accountability, the strategy ensures that AI development aligns with national interests and global best practices.