In a further display of inconsistency with the country's priorities, ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel proposed during the December Council of Ministers meeting that artificial intelligence be used as a key tool to address the deep problems facing Cuba.
"Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and applying it in processes," the leader stated, while the Cuban population lacks stable access to the internet, electricity, and basic services, as noted in a report from the official channel Canal Caribe.
Díaz-Canel's proposal is part of a call to implement digital transformation across all sectors, despite the fact that the country is facing an economy on the brink of collapse and outdated technological infrastructure.
"Let's stop talking about digital transformation and start showing concrete projects," he insisted, leaving unanswered how such implementation would be achieved without the necessary resources or an adequate technological foundation.
The leader also reiterated the importance of popular participation in government projects, although he avoided mentioning how Cubans could contribute to this supposed technological revolution amid a context of blackouts, insufficient wages, and lack of access to digital tools.
"We are going to undertake such a project, develop such a policy—how is the people involved?" he questioned, without providing clear answers on how he plans to engage a population that struggles to survive day by day.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz presented the government's projections for 2025, a document that supposedly outlines the steps to be taken to transform the country.
However, beyond the grandiose statements, no specific strategies were outlined to integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence in a context characterized by precarity.
The contrast between the statements about innovation and the country's reality is stark: while the government promotes artificial intelligence and digital transformation, the population is grappling with challenges such as limited access to connectivity, outdated education systems, and a stagnant economy.
Cuba, where government control over telecommunications is absolute, would hardly be able to implement a cutting-edge technological strategy without a genuine economic and social opening.
The gap between official discourse and the country’s conditions continues to widen, reducing artificial intelligence to yet another slogan in a government that specializes in empty promises while reality keeps crumbling.
At the close of the meeting, Díaz-Canel congratulated the Cubans for having "overcome" another difficult year, making it clear that his bet on artificial intelligence is merely another attempt to mask the crisis without offering tangible solutions for the people.
Although the Cuban leader is trying to close the year with a seemingly "novel" proposal like the use of artificial intelligence, the reality is that in February 2023, he was already promoting this technology in the productive sector and public administration.
During a meeting with members of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba, the president stated that the country is already utilizing Artificial Intelligence in some projects, although he did not mention them directly.
However, the topic is back on Díaz-Canel's agenda following the recent announcement that two technological entities from Cuba have joined the AI Alliance Network, a network of Artificial Intelligence Alliances formed by the BRICS countries, an organization that the island joined as a partner in October.
The representatives of Cuba in the AI Alliance Network are the Ecosystem of the Havana Scientific and Technological Park and the University of Computer Sciences (UCI), as confirmed by official sources.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Cuba and Díaz-Canel's Statements
Why does Díaz-Canel propose the use of artificial intelligence in Cuba?
Díaz-Canel proposes the use of artificial intelligence as a key tool to address the deep problems facing Cuba. However, this proposal seems disconnected from the reality of the country, which suffers from obsolete technological infrastructure and a lack of basic resources such as electricity and internet connectivity.
What are the main obstacles to implementing artificial intelligence in Cuba?
The main obstacles to implementing artificial intelligence in Cuba include the lack of adequate technological infrastructure, limited internet access, and insufficient economic resources. Additionally, government control over telecommunications hampers the adoption of advanced technologies without genuine economic and social openness.
Which Cuban entities are involved in the AI Alliance Network?
The Cuban entities involved in the AI Alliance Network are the Ecosystem of the Technological Scientific Park of Havana and the University of Computer Sciences (UCI). These institutions are part of the Artificial Intelligence Alliance network of the BRICS countries, of which Cuba is a partner.
How has the commitment to artificial intelligence been perceived in the context of the crisis in Cuba?
The emphasis on artificial intelligence is seen as yet another slogan from the Cuban government, which contrasts sharply with the reality of the country. While the government promotes technological innovation, the population grapples with challenges such as blackouts, shortages of basic resources, and an outdated education system, leading to skepticism about the feasibility of this initiative.
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