Uruguay has turned a significant page in its approach to artificial intelligence (AI) within government, collaborating with global technology firm Red Hat to enhance its AI capabilities across various governmental agencies. This strategic move aims to standardize and extend the implementation of AI solutions nationwide, positioning the South American country at the forefront of technological governance.

AGESIC, Uruguay’s leading agency for e-Government policy and innovation, is spearheading this initiative. By leveraging Red Hat OpenShift AI on Red Hat OpenShift, AGESIC is set to revolutionize how Uruguayan government entities utilize AI. This partnership is instrumental as it not only amplifies AGESIC’s capabilities in AI deployment but also ensures a homogenous and secure platform that aids in the swift development and management of AI models.

With this advanced technological setup, AGESIC has successfully transitioned from traditional on-premise data centres to a more dynamic, cloud-based infrastructure. This shift is part of Uruguay’s broader digital transformation efforts, aimed at making governmental operations more efficient and responsive to the needs of its citizens. Previously, the agency facilitated more than 180 national entities with infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and digital government solutions as Software as a Service (SaaS), enabling seamless online administrative functions for the public.

Red Hat OpenShift has introduced a containerized approach, centralizing development, operations, and system security on one platform. This integration not only streamlines processes but also significantly reduces the time required to handle service tickets through automation.

The adoption of Platform as a Service (PaaS) allows various governmental bodies to develop, run, and manage applications without the complexities associated with infrastructure maintenance. The initiative is a leap towards operational autonomy while ensuring that these entities remain interconnected through a standardized platform.

In an effort to further expand their capabilities, AGESIC personnel have undergone specialized training in MLOps, provided by Red Hat. This training is designed to enhance their existing DevOps practices, facilitating efficient collaboration between data scientists, developers, and IT operations teams. As a result, AI and machine learning models can be seamlessly integrated into the development of intelligent applications tailored to various governmental functions.

AGESIC’s journey is in line with Uruguay’s Digital Agenda 2025, emphasizing the critical role of data and AI in public administration. This agenda not only focuses on the technological advancement but also stresses the importance of ethical considerations such as privacy, transparency, and non-discrimination.

Uruguay’s proactive approach, supported by Red Hat’s robust technology solutions, exemplifies a visionary stride towards embedding AI within its governmental frameworks. This collaboration is poised to set a benchmark in public sector innovation, focusing on both technological advancement and governance excellence, thus reinforcing Uruguay’s position as a leader in digital governance on the global stage.