CAMAGÜEY.- The young researcher and Doctor of Sciences from the University of Camagüey Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz, Yailé Caballero Mota, leads an ambitious joint project with the University of International Studies of Hebei (UEIH), of the People's Republic of China.
Yailé says that her daughter Laurita has lived close to technologies since she was in training, as she did most of her PhD when she was pregnant.
Both are examples of the efforts for equitable access to new technologies for girls, adolescents, young women and women in Cuba, where although institutionally everyone has the same possibility of access, reality is a reflection of what happens in the world, women have less access.
-You are the leader of an important project at the University of Camagüey, what is it about and what is its impact?
-It is a project prioritized by the Ministry of Higher Education (MES) with the support and monitoring of the country's highest leadership, for the creation of an International Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research (IIIIA) at the Hebei University of International Studies ( UEIH), of the People's Republic of China.
"Artificial Intelligence is a key component of the digital transformation of society. This discipline, integrated with others, makes it possible to solve more complex problems every day or increase the effectiveness or efficiency in solving others. On the other hand, international cooperation is decisive for success. This project is an experience in the formalization of scientific cooperation between Cuban institutions and the Hebei University of International Studies in China.
“It is proposed that the institute not close the R + D + i process but rather establish relationships with companies or other institutions that help close the cycle. This means that the IIIIA generates new methods of solving problems based on Artificial Intelligence and from these results product prototypes are created. Prototypes become commercial products in alliance with other institutions, which can materialize through the existence of technology parks, or the creation of spin-offs, among others. It is intended that this approach is also applicable to results achieved in research groups of Cuban institutions that want to explore the possibilities of introduction in China.
"The current digital transformation is developed on the basis of the integration of different computer technologies, hence the IIIIA not only plans to limit its activity to AI, but also has among its research topics Artificial Intelligence, Big data, Internet of things, Blockchain, Cloud computing, Software development. It will be an Institute focused on research and development of applications in strategic areas and sectors such as biotechnology and biomedicine, the environment, the quality of life of the elderly, smart cities, precision agriculture and smart manufacturing (industry 4.0 )
“This IIIIA is conceived for research, development, innovation, doctoral, master and undergraduate training, a strong relationship with Chinese companies and use of the results in Cuba, with a Data Center for high-performance computing and Big Data, with the aim of providing services to the Institute's research and to companies ”.
-Do other institutions participate in addition to the University of Camagüey?
-The project has been extended to other institutions in the country and specific agreements and deals have been signed with MINSAP, several universities of Medical Sciences (Havana, Camagüey, Holguín, Santiago de Cuba), University of the Arts, National Library, Academy of Sciences of Cuba.
“With this project it is intended that there is an important development of Artificial Intelligence in Cuba. The International Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research that is being built in China will generate, by Cuban specialists, science and innovation that we will not only apply in Chinese companies, but also in institutions, companies and research centers in Cuba ”.
-How do you assess the role of women in the development of technologies and women's access to technologies?
-The woman is indispensable in the development of technologies. We are hard-working, self-sacrificing, tenacious, creative, and enterprising. Female participation in ICTs can help create great technological advances that would continue to revolutionize the world. However, unfortunately, it is proven that access to participation in the development of science and technology worldwide is much lower than it should be.
-How important do you see the girls' day in ICTs?
-It is very important that there is a day marked on the calendar as Girls in ICT Day. It is a way to promote and encourage the vocation in girls and young people for technologies, and also, it is a way to reduce the digital gender gap that exists. It is also a motivation for girls to participate in activities and various forms of entertainment related to technology. They will be the future scientists, those who will fight for a better world, more computerized, more technological, for the benefit of society.
-As the mother of a young woman, how did she approach technologies since she was a child and why?
-My daughter is almost 17 years old, in June she meets them, and since she was very little, I tried to develop in her skills and abilities related to technologies, in her games, in her activities, in the way she studies, in her daily life.
“I believe that parents are responsible for closing the girls' dream gap, which is nothing more than the gap that exists between girls and their potential. They also have the right to dream of being scientists, astronauts, engineers ..., or what is the same, great developers of technologies. Families should look for toys and entertainment with scientific and technological themes for females, not just for boys. Society needs women developers of technologies and from the time they are small we must start this path, give them security, make them feel that they will achieve it.
-How important is it that there is equity in the access of women and men to technologies, especially in Cuba that is computerized?
-Here this is even more necessary. Today it is urgent for us to incorporate more women into technological development, women who dare to venture into the technological world to seek solutions, from science, technology and innovation, to our problems in this current scenario of crisis that affects the world. Women who know how to conceive the application and generalization within research projects to achieve the relevant results that are required, and move towards computerization, technological sovereignty, progress and sustainability of our country.
- Translated by Linet Acuña Quilez