Education

Puerto Rico's AI ambitions face infrastructure and regulatory hurdles amid industry push

Friday, 6 June 2025 12:15AM UTC

Experts at Tech Day Puerto Rico 2025 highlight ongoing challenges and opportunities as the island strives to establish itself as an AI hub, amid infrastructure gaps and evolving regulations.

During a recent panel discussion in San Juan, experts from various sectors highlighted the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Puerto Rico, noting that while there is enthusiasm for the technology, significant challenges remain. The event, part of Tech Day Puerto Rico 2025, featured insights from industry leaders such as Gilberto Crespo, Norberto Cruz-Córdova, and Alba Norys De León, who emphasised that the island's progress towards effective AI integration is hampered by its existing digital divides and infrastructure weaknesses.

Norberto Cruz-Córdova, president of the Internet Society’s Puerto Rico chapter, pointed out that despite improvements in connectivity, particularly due to initiatives from both local and federal governments, rural areas remain underserved. "We have been moving in the right direction in terms of connectivity... but there’s still a long way to go," he said. The challenges extend beyond internet access; Puerto Rico’s electric grid also requires enhancements before AI capabilities can be fully realised.

Telecommunications infrastructure, essential for meeting the demands of AI, has become a pressing concern. Mauricio Romero, vice president of AI and analytics at Liberty Latin America, noted, "This has made having fast and dependable connections absolutely key," particularly as businesses seek real-time access to advanced AI models that require robust data transfer capabilities. The shift towards wireless 5G networks is partly motivated by this growing demand.

The private sector, represented by Alba Norys De León of consulting firm AblaTek, faces ethical dilemmas about how to innovate while maintaining public trust. She observed a lack of regulatory direction as companies navigate the evolving landscape following the relaxation of restrictions on AI use initiated under previous U.S. administration. While this deregulation aimed to bolster the U.S.'s position as a technological leader, De León cautioned that more rigorous oversight will likely emerge to address potential ethical concerns associated with AI deployment.

Legislatively, Puerto Rico is taking steps towards a more structured approach to AI governance. While five AI-related bills have been introduced this term, none have yet become law. Progress includes Senate Bill 68, which proposes the establishment of an Artificial Intelligence Officer within the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service (PRITS), a move intended to formulate cohesive AI policies for government operations. Other proposals address crucial areas such as political transparency in AI use and the integration of AI in education, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of guidelines that can keep pace with technological advancements.

Beyond infrastructure and governance, Puerto Rico's potential as an AI hub in the Caribbean is being explored, particularly in industries such as healthcare and manufacturing. According to a recent study, leveraging AI can enhance capabilities in pharmaceuticals and aerospace, promoting collaboration between industry and academia to foster innovation. Notably, AI applications in telemedicine could substantially improve healthcare access in remote areas, thus addressing some of the disparities exacerbated by geographical isolation and limited resources.

Despite these opportunities, a survey conducted among Puerto Rican organisations revealed that while 84% had implemented some form of AI, many struggled with understanding its complexities and integrating it effectively into their operations. Over half of the respondents cited a lack of expertise as a critical barrier, underscoring the need for investment in training and development to harness the full potential of AI.

As Puerto Rico grapples with these multifaceted challenges and opportunities, a coherent strategy that prioritises infrastructural investment, ethical oversight, and workforce development will be critical. The island's journey towards becoming a regional leader in AI may hinge on fostering collaboration among its diverse stakeholders, ensuring that as the technology evolves, it does so inclusively and sustainably.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1], ^[4]
Paragraph 2 – ^[1], ^[2], ^[5]
Paragraph 3 – ^[3], ^[6]

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://newsismybusiness.com/road-to-effective-ai-adoption-in-puerto-rico-far-from-smooth/ - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://pupr.edu/news/artificial-intelligence-and-puerto-rico-a-strategic-hub-in-the-caribbean/ - Puerto Rico's strategic location, skilled workforce, and ties to U.S. markets position it as a potential AI hub in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, cybersecurity, and education. Initiatives include biotech companies using AI for process optimisation and universities integrating AI courses. Challenges encompass talent loss, limited tech infrastructure, and insufficient R&D investment. To foster AI innovation, collaboration among academia, industry, and government is essential, alongside addressing ethical issues like algorithm transparency and data protection. Developing AI can generate high-value jobs and attract investment, strengthening key sectors. Puerto Rico has the potential to be an AI benchmark for the Caribbean, Latin America, and the world. ([pupr.edu](https://pupr.edu/news/artificial-intelligence-and-puerto-rico-a-strategic-hub-in-the-caribbean/?utm_source=openai))
https://v2aconsulting.com/insights/ai_pr_2024/ - A survey of over 100 Puerto Rican organisations revealed that 84% have applied AI in at least one business function, with 66% regularly engaging with AI tools. Marketing and Service Operations lead in AI adoption, while Manufacturing, Risk, and Supply Chain lag. Challenges include a lack of understanding and expertise, with over half of organisations reporting these issues. The findings indicate that while some areas are making progress, AI adoption remains nascent across key business functions, leaving significant untapped potential. ([v2aconsulting.com](https://v2aconsulting.com/insights/ai_pr_2024/?utm_source=openai))
https://newsismybusiness.com/study-puerto-rico-should-prioritize-ai-use-to-boost-key-industries/ - A study suggests Puerto Rico should prioritise AI to enhance key industries like pharmaceuticals and aerospace. It recommends establishing an AI facility focused on data analysis and algorithm development. The study highlights the need for infrastructure matching future technology needs and fostering collaboration between industry and academia. Efforts should target growing industries and promote strategic partnerships to boost competitiveness. ([newsismybusiness.com](https://newsismybusiness.com/study-puerto-rico-should-prioritize-ai-use-to-boost-key-industries/?utm_source=openai))
https://foundationforpuertorico.org/en/resilience-with-artificial-intelligence/ - AI can address healthcare accessibility issues in Puerto Rico's isolated municipalities by enabling telemedicine and remote patient monitoring. It can also support the aging population through personalised healthcare plans and virtual assistants. Implementing AI can reduce healthcare disparities and improve service delivery in underserved areas. ([foundationforpuertorico.org](https://foundationforpuertorico.org/en/resilience-with-artificial-intelligence/?utm_source=openai))
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/integrating-caribbean-realities-into-global-ai-safety-policies/ - The Caribbean faces challenges in AI development due to a lack of representative datasets, especially for low-resource Caribbean Creole languages, leading to linguistic and cultural erasure. Data collection is difficult due to limited documentation and standardisation. Additionally, control over locally sourced data often lies with external entities, raising concerns about exploitation and erosion of cultural identity. Investments in upskilling, research, and talent creation are necessary to build a workforce capable of driving AI innovation aligned with local priorities. ([brookings.edu](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/integrating-caribbean-realities-into-global-ai-safety-policies/?utm_source=openai))
https://sociable.co/technology/challenges-making-data-driven-decisions-in-puerto-rico-crisis/ - Puerto Rico faces challenges in making data-driven decisions during crises due to a lack of prioritisation of data in decision-making processes. Despite existing information sources, data is not centralised, leading to decisions based on subject matter and intuition rather than data. This approach can result in inefficiencies and missed opportunities for effective crisis management. ([sociable.co](https://sociable.co/technology/challenges-making-data-driven-decisions-puerto-rico-crisis/?utm_source=openai))

Artificial intelligence
Puerto Rico
Technology policy