Q COSTA RICA — The government of Laura Fernández announced it signed a collaboration agreement with Google to incorporate technology and artificial intelligence (AI) tools in areas such as education, health, and security, as part of the digital transformation strategy promoted by the new administration.
The alliance was presented during the accountability report on the first 100 days of the administration, an event attended by Ana Recalde, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Google; Paula Bogantes, Minister of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications; President Laura Fernández and the Second Vice President, Douglas Soto
The Executive Branch presented the agreement as one of its main alliances with the technology sector and stated that it seeks to put technology at the service of the population by strengthening collaboration between the Costa Rican government and one of the world’s leading technology companies.
“We are going to put technology and artificial intelligence at the service of the people of Costa Rica,” it was announced during the presentation of the agreement.
The initiative, as explained during the event, aims to facilitate the use of technological solutions in different sectors of the public sector.
Google focuses on education and health
During her remarks, Ana Recalde highlighted the government’s focus on digital transformation and assured that the company will collaborate in various areas.
“Ms. Laura’s great vision regarding the entire digital transformation of the country. Through technology and with Google, we will be able to provide all these services in the different areas that Ms. Laura already mentioned, such as education and health,” Recalde stated.
Recalde also assured that Google’s participation will be aimed at supporting processes that can contribute to improving the quality of life of Costa Ricans.
“It’s a pleasure, and you can count on us for all this innovation and this transformation process,” she added.
The agreement comes at a time when various public administrations around the world have begun to incorporate artificial intelligence-based tools into administrative processes and services aimed at citizens.
In the case of Costa Rica, Fernández assured that her administration intends to accelerate this transformation and maintained that it is a commitment made during the election campaign.
Fernández: “Artificial intelligence is not the future, it is the present”
The president dedicated a subsequent speech to explaining the significance her government attaches to the alliance.
Fernández stated that since the beginning of his administration, a strategy has been in place to intensify the use of digital tools within the government.
“From day one, in fulfillment of my promise, as outlined in my government plan, I have made a firm commitment to digital transformation and the intensive use of artificial intelligence to improve the quality of public services that Costa Ricans receive,” she affirmed.