Tenerife is now officially a candidate to host the future headquarters of the Spanish Space and Artificial Intelligence Supervision Agencies (AI). The basis for being able to aspire to them is in the good work of recent years to promote the generation of a technological and innovation ecosystem on the Island, an interrelated island network. It is endorsed by the Councilor for Innovation of the Cabildo, Enrique Arriaga, who understands that “there are many elements that we can offer to give strength to the two candidacies.” Among them, he values as keys “unrivaled connectivity and infrastructure”,
«The first thing we have here is something fundamental that is always requested in these cases, the connectivity», he points. He adds that “it is guaranteed, through the two airports, with practically all the places in the world. Our connectivity is second to none.”
On the other hand, Arriaga emphasizes the first level hotel plant, within the infrastructures in general that include adequate facilities such as the large centers for holding congresses.
Connectivity and infrastructures are, therefore, two factors that for Arriaga must be taken into account when deciding on the option of Tenerife being the Headquarters of the state entity that supervises Artificial Intelligence (AI); that is, the combination of algorithms proposed with the purpose of creating machines that have the same capabilities as the human being. A future that is already rather present
From climate to taxation
Arriaga highlights other attractive factors such as “our privileged climate, legal certainty and special taxation.” And he concludes that “this is the same for the candidacy submitted to the Spanish Space Agency».
In both cases, the also vice president of the Cabildo, understands as “positive” the creation of job that it is presumed that it can be created on the Island both in the physical venues and due to the parallel activities that they would generate.
Arriaga details aspects more directly related to AI and, therefore, strengths of the application. Among them, connectivity again, but in this case from the point of view of data and the speed at which they circulate through cyberspace. The counselor explains in this regard that “we have submarine cable through Canalink or fiber optic networks throughout the island connecting centers through the one installed by the Cabildo. Do not forget to mention the D-Alix Storage Center or data bank, with state-of-the-art processes.
“In this legislature we have laid the foundations to be able to aspire to these venues”
A special section is that of the two supercomputers, Mount Teide and Anaga, installed the Technological and Renewable Energy Institute (ITER), fundamental to make any type of calculations and especially in the supercomputing necessary for AI.
These types of systems have promoted a worldwide revolution, being the basis of most of the new developments in Artificial Intelligence. This computational capacity allows optimizing other types of computation, in different fields of scientific utility and has direct use in the development of virtual and augmented reality applications. A field of great potential with the emergence of initiatives such as the metaverse.
The counselor highlights that these supercomputers “not only are put to the science and research service, but they can also be used by specialized companies that require large data storage and analysis speed». The objective is fundamentally set in the audiovisual sector and the development of Artificial Intelligence itself. ITER and the council They already regularly contact universities, reference centers and large companies to make use of these facilities. Another focus of attraction.
Supercomputers are “a key piece”, in addition, to the Innovation Master Plan, the backbone for creating on the Island, according to Enrique Arriaga, “a favorable ecosystem for the implementation and creation of innovative companies that work on three fundamental lines: the audiovisual sector and videogames, renewable energies and technology». He anticipates that the arrival of a large company from one of these sectors will be announced shortly.
The technology-based entrepreneurs have their headquarters already installed in the Science and Technology Park of Tenerife (INtech Tenerife). innovaparq UL It houses firms dedicated to research, technological development and innovation (R+D+i).
Talent Layout
Enrique Arriaga highlights the “educational ecosystem of Tenerife”. With three universities – public and private – that include degrees of different types and specialized multidisciplinary training with which “the essential talent can also be made available”. The human factor is still there. Arriaga points out that, in addition, “we have reference centers where research related to AI is carried out.” He mentions the Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands (CAR), “with two robotic telescopes that use it”; ITER itself; the Scientific and Technological Park or the Technological Institute of the Canary Islands (ITC). As physical headquarters, Arriaga recalls that all the enclaves of the Science Park are included in the report presented. The Cuevas Blancas, the Innovapark or the Dársena Pesquera. He believes that “perhaps the ideal would be Las Mantecas because of its relationship with nanotechnology and the building that has to do with space.”
He insists that “all this applies to the two Spanish agencies.” Remember that “Gran Canaria The Maspalomas monitoring center is proposed as a strong idea, but we are already building equipment for satellites and one is even being designed».
He highlights that “in this legislature we have left all the wickers prepared for this possible development». He adds: «For entities like these to come to Tenerife or for large companies, especially in AI, technology, video games or supercomputing, to have the field created. The seed is planted. He concludes: “There is a lot to do, but we have a base in the science and technology sector, even as a possible alternative to tourism.”
The writer and journalist Manual Vicente launched this past weekend a phrase that comes like a glove: «When Artificial Intelligence enters the day-to-day combat, humanity will be different». Tenerife wants its space to be there.
