Exploring Catalonia's AI Ecosystem - A fAIrLAC Jalisco Mission

As part of the fAIrLAC Jalisco program, a delegation from Tecnológico de Monterrey’s AI Hub visited Catalonia to explore their thriving artificial intelligence ecosystem. The week-long mission provided invaluable insights into how a region can strategically develop AI capabilities.

Catalonia.IA Strategy

We had the opportunity to learn about Catalonia.IA, the regional government’s comprehensive AI strategy. The approach integrates:

Research excellence at universities
Hospital and healthcare partnerships
Industry collaboration frameworks
Ethical AI guidelines

Key Visits

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)

Met with researchers Raul Benitez Iglesias and Christian Mata, who focus on health and AI applications. Their work on diabetic retinopathy detection and cardiotoxicity assessment showcased the potential of AI in clinical settings.

Healthcare Innovation

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau
Barcelona Children’s Hospital
Xartec Salut health technology cluster

Research Centers

CIDAI - Catalonia’s AI research center
CataloniaBio - Life sciences cluster

Topics Explored

Our discussions covered critical themes for responsible AI development:

Healthtech applications - From diagnosis to treatment optimization
Ethics in AI - Building frameworks for the LAC region
Women in AI - Initiatives to increase female participation
AI democratization - Making AI accessible to non-technical audiences

Building Bridges

Special thanks to:

The Catalonia Government Delegation in Mexico and Central America for facilitating this knowledge exchange
Colleagues Gilberto Ochoa-Ruiz, Juan Roberto Hernández Villalobos, and Gerardo Rodriguez Hernandez
Prof. Karina Gibert (IDEAI-UPC) for discussions on gender equity in AI

This visit reinforced that international collaboration is essential for developing AI that benefits society. The partnerships initiated here will continue to grow as we work together on socially-responsible AI initiatives.