Salvador is not only actively embracing Bitcoin but also proactively keeping up with AI development. Just yesterday (21st), the National Bitcoin Office of El Salvador (ONBTC) announced that the country has signed a letter of intent with global chip manufacturing giant NVIDIA, with both parties set to collaborate on developing "sovereign AI" to promote national innovation and economic growth.
Building Sovereign AI Infrastructure
According to the announcement, El Salvador will work with NVIDIA to focus on building domestic AI infrastructure and enhancing workforce skills, while also developing AI solutions to address local challenges. The official statement reads:
El Salvador will focus on building domestic AI infrastructure, improving workforce skills, and creating solutions to address local challenges, such as improving healthcare services, advancing education, and enhancing economic productivity.
Specifically, El Salvador plans to establish AI training programs for developers, researchers, and government officials to ensure sufficient professional talent to support its AI development goals.
Additionally, as part of the collaboration, the plan will develop advanced weather and rainfall prediction models aimed at optimizing emergency service resource allocation, protecting residents in landslide-prone areas, and improving the precision and efficiency of hydroelectric resource management:
Using cutting-edge AI tools, resources, and technical support provided by NVIDIA, El Salvador will build localized AI capabilities that align with its cultural, linguistic, environmental, and economic needs.
El Salvador's AI Ambitions in a Global Perspective
At a time when countries worldwide are competing to view AI as a key driver of economic competitiveness and social progress, El Salvador announced the launch of a university-level public education AI program called "CUBO_ai" in March 2025, claiming to be the "only nationwide educational program introducing top experts in the field".
It is worth noting that the program has received support from Ark Capital founder Cathie Wood, who is expected to deliver the first lecture. However, it is important to recognize that El Salvador's technological ambitions also face significant challenges, such as:
- Limited Economic Resources: El Salvador's GDP is relatively small, and government budgets may struggle to support large-scale AI infrastructure investments.
- Social and Political Environment: El Salvador has recently focused on addressing gang violence, poverty, and illegal immigration, and these priority issues may crowd out investments in cutting-edge technologies like AI.
Whether it can successfully achieve industrial transformation remains a significant challenge to overcome.
