Havana – In a move highlighting Cuba’s ambition amidst ongoing economic challenges, the state-affiliated software development company Avangenio launched SocIA, a new national artificial intelligence (AI) platform, this thursday. The announcement, initially broadcast on the official portal Cubadebate‘s Facebook profile, featured a video showcasing insights from Alain abel Garófalo, Avangenio’s AI strategy leader. Garófalo positioned SocIA as a homegrown alternative to international AI solutions that are, according to him, “not always available to the Cuban business community.”

SocIA aims to enable simultaneous work with diverse file formats – text,audio,and video – through customizable AI agents. These agents are designed to adapt to the specific needs of organizations and individuals, offering a potentially versatile solution within the Cuban context.

Garófalo asserted that SocIA is already yielding positive results within Avangenio and that in preliminary comparative tests, users have shown a preference for SocIA over foreign alternatives. He also emphasized the potential for cost savings, suggesting that SocIA could reduce reliance on expensive foreign services. This argument resonates within a country grappling with economic constraints and limited access to international markets, mirroring the struggles faced by American companies seeking to onshore production and reduce dependence on global supply chains.

“If Cuban companies do not adopt artificial intelligence,we will simply lose the possibility to participate in the global market fully,” garófalo warned,underscoring the urgency of developing local technological capabilities,especially given the restrictions imposed by the embargo and limited access to foreign tools. This sentiment echoes concerns within the U.S. regarding maintaining a competitive edge in the global AI race, especially against nations like China.

the platform’s potential extends to critical sectors like public health, particularly in diagnostics and medical evaluations. Garófalo alluded to ongoing explorations of SocIA’s capabilities to accelerate processes in these areas. The promise of AI-driven healthcare solutions is also a significant focus in the U.S., with applications ranging from improved diagnostics to personalized medicine.

During the official presentation, Ariadne Plascencia Castro, president of the Business Group for Informatics and Communications, highlighted SocIA as a crucial step in Cuba’s digital transformation. She emphasized its status as a “sovereign platform generated from Cuba” designed to provide AI services.This emphasis on sovereignty reflects a broader trend of nations seeking to control their own technological infrastructure and data, a concern also present in U.S. debates regarding data privacy and national security.

SocIA integrates with existing Avangenio tools like NosWork (a virtual office platform) and ERPNext (a digital business surroundings), creating a potentially cohesive ecosystem. Its cross-platform design allows for real-time interaction with text, audio, and video files from various devices, enhancing its versatility.

The platform boasts features like task automation, data analysis, and email drafting, all managed through customized agents. These capabilities are intended to cater to diverse sectors, from scientific research to social sciences, with three versions planned: Basic, Team, and Enterprise. Garófalo explained that SocIA is designed to synchronize with the specific dynamics of each association, aiming to improve efficiency and outcomes.

Discussions during the presentation also involved representatives from various companies, ministries, and institutions, exploring potential applications in public health, academia, science, and culture. This collaborative approach mirrors efforts in the U.S. to foster partnerships between government, industry, and academia to drive AI innovation and adoption.

Since early 2025, cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has increasingly emphasized AI as a solution to Cuba’s deep-seated structural problems. He has advocated for its use in strategic sectors, even as the country’s technological infrastructure lags behind. As Cibercuba reported, Díaz-Canel has intensified this rhetoric.

The future of the nation depends on AI.
Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba

One example cited is the manual distribution of liquefied gas, a process that remains stubbornly analog despite promises of automation. This “contradiction between official discourse and technological reality,” as noted by Cibercuba, raises questions about the feasibility of the government’s ambitious AI plans. This disconnect is akin to the challenges faced in the U.S. when ambitious government initiatives clash with practical limitations and bureaucratic hurdles.

in another instance, during an appearance on the program “Desde la Presidencia,” Díaz-Canel proposed replacing mass emigration with robots, advocating for automation to bolster the national industry. He argued that automation is essential to supporting the economically inactive population.This vision, while ambitious, faces skepticism given the country’s current economic and technological constraints.

Despite these challenges, Díaz-Canel has continued to champion AI, leading meetings with the Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council and urging reforms to university curricula. While acknowledging the lack of “minimum technical conditions,” he maintains that Cuba can progress due to its human capital. This stance,framed as a “digital emancipation” strategy,“clashes with the daily shortcomings of the population and the lack of technological resources,” further highlighting the gap between the official narrative and the reality on the ground.

The situation in Cuba offers a stark contrast to the U.S., where significant investments are being made in AI research and development, and where technological infrastructure is generally more robust. However, the Cuban experience also raises important questions about the ethical implications of AI, the potential for bias, and the need to ensure that AI benefits all members of society – concerns that are also central to the ongoing AI debate in the United States.

For U.S. readers, the Cuban endeavor with socia provides a fascinating case study. It highlights the potential of AI to drive innovation and economic development, even in challenging environments. However, it also underscores the importance of addressing fundamental issues like infrastructure, education, and access to technology. These are lessons that resonate in the U.S., where disparities in access to broadband and digital literacy continue to be significant challenges.

Moreover, the Cuban focus on “sovereign platforms” raises questions about the future of AI governance and the role of national governments in shaping the development and deployment of this technology. These are issues that are actively being debated in the U.S., with policymakers grappling with questions about data privacy, security, and the potential for AI to be used for malicious purposes.

Ultimately, the success of SocIA will depend on Cuba’s ability to overcome its economic and technological challenges. Though, the platform’s launch represents a bold step forward and a testament to the country’s ambition to participate in the global AI revolution. Whether Cuba can bridge the gap between its aspirations and its realities remains to be seen.