El Salvador is expanding its artificial intelligence and advanced technology capabilities with the appointment of Dr. Manuel Cardona as Strategic Advisor to the National Artificial Intelligence Agency (ANIA), reinforcing the country’s efforts to develop a competitive technology ecosystem.
Cardona brings more than two decades of experience in robotics, automation, applied artificial intelligence, and Industry 4.0. He holds a PhD in Automation and Robotics, awarded Cum Laude, from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and has completed executive research specialization at MIT.
His professional background includes serving as Vice-Rector of Science and Technology at Universidad Don Bosco and founding SARA Robotics and the STEAM Robotics Academy. Through these initiatives, he has also contributed to practical technology training for students participating in El Salvador’s CUBO_ai program.
With more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and extensive experience connecting scientific research with industry, Cardona will advise ANIA on several strategic priorities. These include developing sovereign AI infrastructure, advancing robotics and industrial automation, and expanding CUBO_ai to cultivate highly skilled domestic talent.
One of the initiatives under consideration is the development of a Free Robot Zone, envisioned as part of a broader infrastructure strategy to support experimentation and deployment of advanced technologies.
The appointment highlights El Salvador’s growing focus on artificial intelligence, robotics, and talent development as pillars of its technology strategy. By combining advanced infrastructure, specialized education, and industry applications, the country is seeking to strengthen its position as an emerging AI and technology hub in the Western Hemisphere.
The move also reflects El Salvador’s broader effort to create an environment where technology companies can develop, test, and scale innovative solutions while connecting with a growing pool of locally trained talent.