Microsoft unveiled its new AI lab in Uruguay and expects it to be a "beacon of innovation" for the world

Microsoft inaugurated its AI Co-Innovation Lab at the LATU Technology Park in Uruguay, the third of its kind worldwide, after those created in the United States, Germany, and China, and the first in Latin America.

Uruguayan President, Luis Lacalle Pou; the Uruguayan Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining, Omar Paganini; the President of LATU, Ruperto Long and representatives of Microsoft: Jun Yamasaki (Global Leader of the Microsoft AI Co-Innovation Labs), Jaime Galviz (General Manager of Microsoft’s South Andean Region) and Juan Lavista (Chief Scientist and Lab Director of Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab), attended the event.

“This is a monumental step towards a future in which Uruguay will not only be on par with world leaders in artificial intelligence but will also be able to surpass them. We hope this lab will be a beacon of innovation and learning for Uruguay and the world,” said Lavista.

Minister Paganini added that the new Microsoft lab is fully aligned with the country’s project to become an innovation hub in the region. “This laboratory is strategic for our country. Artificial intelligence has already arrived and changes the rules of the technology game in a way that can be a challenge for nations like Uruguay (...) But we have the great advantage of being recognized as a technological and innovation hub, and this project reaffirms that path. This is possible because we have a powerful ecosystem, driven by many Uruguayan entrepreneurs and many international companies that have chosen us”, he developed.

Microsoft representatives highlighted Uruguay’s “unique conditions” to be a leader in artificial intelligence, leveraged on its talent, high educational level, the ratio of software developers per capita, and people working in artificial intelligence, which places it in an “enviable position in the region.”

Yamazaki explained that the irruption of artificial intelligence represents a turning point similar to others experienced in the history of technology, such as the emergence of the personal computer, the Internet, mobile devices, and cloud computing. He assured that in a world where economic complexity is growing, artificial intelligence can empower people and organizations and is crucial in addressing some of the world’s most significant challenges in fields such as agriculture, health, sustainability, and education.

“The AI Co-Innovation Lab in Uruguay is very strategic for Microsoft. We made this decision because we are very impressed with the infrastructure of investments in technology for education and the good timing of Uruguay being the technology hub in Latin America. I want the Microsoft lab to help achieve this,” said Yamazaki.

Galvitz added that the lab would boost the competitiveness of organizations in Uruguay and throughout Latin America, attracting more talent and investment and generating an ecosystem conducive to growth and creating new opportunities.

“The country has exceptional talent that surpasses all indicators in the region regarding technological skills. It has a dynamic and innovative business and entrepreneurial ecosystem, in addition to a government with a great vision of the value of digital transformation,” he assessed.

The new Microsoft lab will enable Uruguayan and regional technology companies to access state-of-the-art technology at no cost to develop cutting-edge products and solutions and obtain guidance and recommendations from experts to realize the full potential of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.

It will offer:
- Knowledge coming from the experience of experts: electrical engineers, cloud engineers, data scientists, program managers, project managers, and software engineers.
- Investment of time from highly qualified Microsoft people for each requested project.

- Project management, design, architecture, prototyping, and post-implementation guidance for customers and partners.