Over five years, it is planned to invest half a billion euros in the creation of the Latvian Artificial Intelligence Center (LMIC). To implement the project, the state can create an organization or society that will take over a number of functions of state institutions, Latvian media report this with reference to the Ministry of Economy.
The total investment over the five-year period is estimated at 500 million euros. The main goal of LMIC is to attract global companies and universities to make Latvia a leader in the European Union in the development of AI applications. In the first five years, it is expected that five international projects will be implemented in cooperation with large companies, the introduction of two or three AI solutions into public administration annually, as well as a significant increase in the level of innovation in the country.
The Ministry of Economy emphasizes that the use of AI in government functions can reduce the number of employees in the government apparatus. Minister Viktor Valainis noted that an AI ecosystem already exists in Latvia, but it is too fragmented: there are initiatives in universities, companies (for example, Latvijas mobilais telefons, Tet, Tilde), government agencies and associations, but this is not a priority for them.
The LMIC vision includes coordinating the entire AI ecosystem, managing government support in this area, developing technology and security, creating infrastructure for the development and implementation of AI solutions, and international cooperation.
To advance the project, it is necessary to approve the concept in the government, develop a legal framework and resolve data exchange and security issues. On October 23, the Ministry of Economy plans to hold a meeting with stakeholders, including the State Data Inspectorate and representatives of companies such as Meta.
Source: www.gorod.lv
