El Salvador is broadening its artificial intelligence strategy beyond software development, with robotics, data-center engineering, sovereign computing and energy infrastructure emerging as key areas in the country’s next phase of technological development.
Stacy Herbert, senior AI policy advisor to the Presidency and director of the National Bitcoin Office, recently outlined the expanding strategy, highlighting the development of local engineering talent and the incorporation of specialists in edge robotics and high-voltage power-grid engineering into the National Artificial Intelligence Agency (ANIA)’s advisory network.
Herbert also said CUBO programs are expected to expand into robotics and data-center infrastructure engineering, connecting technical education with the infrastructure required to support advanced computing. According to her remarks, AI agents are already being deployed in public institutions, while training programs are preparing public servants to work with emerging technologies.
The direction is also reflected in El Salvador’s regulatory framework. Recent legislation established special rules for national projects involving artificial intelligence, robotics, data centers, computing infrastructure and related technologies, creating a dedicated framework for projects designated as national priorities.
ANIA has also continued adding international technical expertise. In August, the agency announced Manuel Cardona as a strategic advisor, while previous appointments included former NVIDIA executive Randy Lewis and technology and business specialist Ginger Luckey Gaetz.
The combination of technical training, specialized infrastructure and international expertise points to a broader approach to AI development in El Salvador—one that seeks to connect education, computing capacity, robotics and energy infrastructure rather than treating artificial intelligence as a standalone software sector.
Herbert has indicated that further announcements regarding El Salvador’s national AI infrastructure are expected, placing infrastructure development at the center of the country’s next stage of AI policy.