Tenerife Partners with University to Drive AI Integration in Public Services and Economy
Tenerife's Cabildo and the University of La Laguna have partnered to advance Artificial Intelligence, aiming to modernize public services, enhance research, and stimulate economic growth through training, advisory services, and new AI projects.
Tenerife's local government, the Cabildo, and the University of La Laguna (ULL) are teaming up to boost Artificial Intelligence (AI). They see AI as a key way to update public services, improve research, and help the island's economy grow. This partnership is based on a cooperation agreement that will cover training, advice, and new projects.
Rosa Dávila, the island's president, stated that this deal puts Tenerife at the cutting edge of digital change. She explained, "We're not just bringing in technology; we're building our own skills, talent, and knowledge in AI." She also highlighted that working with the University ensures this technological push is done with high academic standards, solid research, and a clear goal of making public services better.
Dávila believes AI is here now, not just in the future, and Tenerife needs to be a leader so its people, businesses, and organizations can take advantage of what AI offers.
Juan Manuel Santana, the island's Director of Digital Transformation, mentioned that the agreement will last for two years initially, with an option to extend it for another two. A joint committee from the ULL and the Cabildo will oversee and plan the work.
Some of the initial projects include: automatically transcribing and analyzing calls from the call center; improving traffic flow and spotting issues in public purchasing; using chatbots to offer better services to citizens; and understanding water usage patterns to manage resources more effectively.
The Cabildo is also preparing to approve its first AI Usage Policy. This document will outline the rules and guidelines for using AI responsibly within the institution, following European regulations. They will also create a Data Governance model to help make better decisions and develop technology projects by using data more strategically.
Furthermore, a virtual assistant is being developed for employees to help with Human Resources questions, using advanced AI.