El Salvador sets ambitious AI goals with national lab launch amid NVIDIA deal

El Salvador is taking a significant step toward establishing itself as a regional hub for artificial intelligence (AI).

On April 21, the country’s Bitcoin Office announced that the Central American country had signed a letter of intent (LOI) with leading AI firm NVIDIA to develop sovereign AI capabilities. The agreement will pave the way for El Salvador’s first national AI Lab.

Bitcoin Office Director Stacy Herbert revealed that the initiative will focus on building domestic AI infrastructure and training local talent. She described the AI Lab as a first-of-its-kind project aligned with the country’s broader vision of technological self-sufficiency.

NVIDIA’s collaboration

The NVIDIA collaboration will allow El Salvador to access the firm’s advanced AI platforms and tools.

These resources will support creating AI systems focused on local priorities, such as improving healthcare services, modernizing education, and boosting economic output.

Another goal of the LOI is to build AI-powered weather prediction models. These tools are expected to improve emergency response times and manage hydroelectric power more efficiently, especially in areas prone to mudslides and flooding.

The partnership includes launching national training programs to strengthen the country’s pipeline. These will target students, researchers, and government employees, helping to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving AI innovation from within.

The statement added:

“This announcement comes at a pivotal moment as nations worldwide recognize AI as a critical driver of economic competitiveness and societal progress. El Salvador’s letter of intent with NVIDIA positions it as a leader among emerging economies embracing this transformative technology.”

Other AI efforts

Beyond infrastructure, El Salvador is prioritizing AI education. The country recently launched its CUBO_AI initiative, offering university-level AI courses through its Urban Centers for Welfare and Opportunities (CUBO).

The inaugural session, expected to begin this week, will feature a lecture from ARK Invest‘s Cathie Wood.

Herbert also noted that El Salvador is in its third month of the ARK Educate AI and Robotics pilot, involving 20 schools and nearly 19,000 students. These programs aim to prepare the next generation of AI professionals.

Beyond public education, El Salvador took a significant regulatory step forward by introducing its first national AI legislation in February. The law emphasizes open-source development while establishing clear AI research and deployment rules.