Chile boosts artificial intelligence with supercomputing program

Technology companies, universities, and AI transfer centers will be able to access up to US$7 million in funding. 

Chile has taken a significant step to strengthen its position as a technology leader in Latin America by launching the “Development and Management of a National Supercomputing Infrastructure Specialized in AI” program.  

This initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Science and the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO), aims to enhance the advanced computing infrastructure necessary for training artificial intelligence models and developing technological solutions for key sectors such as mining, energy, agriculture, and manufacturing. 

What does this program involve and who is it aimed at? 

The program offers co-funding of up to US$7 million per project, covering up to 80% of the total cost. It is aimed at: 

• Technology companies 

• Artificial intelligence technology transfer centers 

• Universities 

The selected companies will have up to five years to implement their projects, divided into two development stages. 

AI investment opportunity 

The capacity for mass data processing is key to global competitiveness. «Countries with advanced supercomputing capabilities have demonstrated improvements of over 10% in productivity in sectors such as mining and agribusiness,» said José Miguel Benavente, Executive Vice President of CORFO. 

In Chile, the program aims to: 

• Reduce technological dependence on foreign sources. 

• Promote an AI innovation ecosystem. 

• Increase the competitiveness of Chilean companies in the global market. 

• Improve quality of life with advanced technological solutions in areas such as healthcare, energy, and the environment. 

Infrastructure and digital sovereignty 

Chile already has facilities like the National Laboratory for High-Performance Computing (NLHPC) and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA). However, the current capacity is limited and the program aims to expand it significantly. 

This initiative forms part of the National Data Center Plan, which aims to create an AI campus in areas with high availability of renewable energies and good connectivity, promoting sustainability and energy efficiency. 

Additional benefits for participating companies 

Companies participating in the program will not only receive funding, but will also contribute to the development of a more robust technological ecosystem. The benefits include: 

• Access to advanced supercomputing capabilities. 

• Promotion of collaboration among academia, government, and the private sector. 

• Retention of specialized talent. 

• Attraction of foreign investment to Chile’s technology sector. 

How to participate? 

The call for applications will be open until Tuesday, March 4, 2025, and interested parties can apply on CORFO’s website. 

If you are a technology company or an academic institution interested in leading the development of advanced artificial intelligence solutions, this is your opportunity to be part of Chile’s technological future.