Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, will be one of the facilitators of CUBO_ai, a government-backed educational program designed to train university students and professionals in artificial intelligence (AI). Wood, a leading investor in Tesla and CEO of one of the most influential technology-focused investment firms in the U.S., will deliver the inaugural lecture for the initiative launched by El Salvador’s National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC) in collaboration with the government’s AI advisor, Brian Roemmele.
Her masterclass, scheduled for April, will mark the beginning of training for a select group of Salvadoran students, who will receive mentorship from experts at global technology leaders such as NVIDIA. This initiative follows the approval of the AI and Technology Promotion Law in February.
“This is not just another program; it is a groundbreaking event that will allow the brightest young minds in the country to take full control of AI’s emerging vibrations as they embrace exponential capabilities and this new tech-driven future,” stated ONBTC on X.
The initiative is expected to follow the model of CUBO+ Bitcoin, which since 2022 has trained over 200 Salvadorans in Bitcoin Core and Lightning Network development with guidance from international leaders such as Adam Back, Peter Todd, and Adam Gibson.
“After the successful CUBO+ program for Bitcoin and Lightning developers, now in its third year, CUBO_ai is ready to propel El Salvador into the stratosphere of technological innovation. This is not just a launch; it is the beginning of something truly extraordinary,” ONBTC added.
The project will complement efforts by the Ministry of Education (MINED) in public schools alongside ARK Educate, an NGO founded by Wood. Training sessions for teachers have already begun, equipping them to introduce AI and robotics from primary to high school levels in 20 schools in La Libertad, with plans for nationwide expansion by 2026.
Wood, who visited El Salvador last year and met with President Nayib Bukele, Minister Pineda, and ONBTC Director Stacy Herbert, committed to supporting the country’s educational initiatives. Her organization has extensive experience in AI education across the U.S.
During her meeting with President Bukele, Wood highlighted the potential for AI and Bitcoin to significantly boost El Salvador’s economic growth. “By leveraging Bitcoin and artificial intelligence, President Bukele could see El Salvador’s GDP multiply tenfold during his next five-year term,” she wrote on X.