Puerto Rico outpaces world in AI, new report finds – News is My Business
Puerto Rico has embraced artificial intelligence at a faster pace than the global average, but many businesses still face significant barriers to integrating the technology into daily operations, according to a new white paper published by IslaIntel, a Puerto Rico-based artificial intelligence market intelligence and ecosystem mapping firm.
The report, “Puerto Rico AI in 2027: The Ecosystem Map for Workforce Evolution, SME Adoption, and Enterprise Deployment,” says 84% of organizations on the island have deployed AI in at least one business function, compared with a global baseline of 72%.
However, IslaIntel — which conducts research on the island’s AI landscape, enterprise adoption and small business readiness while providing data, implementation strategies and workforce development resources — said adoption remains uneven. The report found that multinational corporations and larger enterprises are leading implementation, while many small and midsize businesses continue relying on basic subscription tools rather than enterprise-wide integration.
The white paper argues that AI should be viewed as a response to Puerto Rico’s long-term demographic, economic and infrastructure challenges, rather than only as a productivity tool.
“The data we gathered directly challenges the idea that AI is simply a mechanism for replacing human workers,” said Ariana Rodríguez, technical writer for IslaIntel. “The research proves that for an island economy navigating demographic shifts and utility instabilities, applied AI functions as an essential cognitive scaffold.”
“It doesn’t displace people; it augments existing personnel, preserves critical institutional knowledge and elevates local workers into higher-value technical roles,” she said.
Researchers identified a gap between businesses experimenting with AI and organizations capable of incorporating it into daily operations. According to the report, the primary obstacles are talent shortages, compliance concerns, data privacy anxiety and limited technical expertise rather than a lack of interest in adopting the technology.
The white paper divides Puerto Rico’s AI market into three segments: startups focused on applied AI, enterprise integration among larger organizations such as banks and insurers, and the SME market, where automation opportunities remain largely untapped.
Among the highest-potential investment opportunities, IslaIntel highlights infrastructure resilience, localized Spanish-language AI and automation tools for small businesses.
For infrastructure, the report recommends AI-driven predictive maintenance systems that analyze thermal profiles, acoustic frequencies and voltage fluctuations to anticipate equipment failures before they occur.
The report also argues that Puerto Rico presents a unique opportunity to develop AI models trained on local language patterns. It notes that standard Spanish large language models often struggle with Puerto Rican Spanish, including Spanglish, regional idioms and code-switching common in everyday business communications, according to the white paper.
For SMEs, researchers cited automation tools that could process invoices, categorize expenses according to Puerto Rico Treasury Department requirements and predict supply-chain disruptions using historical shipping data.
The study also examines Puerto Rico’s regulatory environment, including oversight by the Puerto Rico Innovation and Technology Service, proposed AI legislation and Act 40-2024. IslaIntel said those requirements could create demand for locally developed AI tools designed around Puerto Rico’s legal and cybersecurity framework.
Rather than focusing mainly on job displacement, the report says Puerto Rico’s shrinking labor pool makes AI a potential tool for sustaining output with fewer workers. It recommends positioning AI as a way to reduce administrative burdens and allow employees to focus on higher-value work.
Beyond mapping the market, IslaIntel announced it will launch two long-term surveys tracking AI readiness, business adoption, investment priorities and workforce trends to establish ongoing benchmarks for Puerto Rico and the broader Caribbean.
Editor’s note: The Spanish version of this page was generated using machine translation and may contain errors. For the most accurate information, please consult the original English version.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
“Today, we extend our support to our Venezuelan brothers and sisters with the conviction that when businesses and citizens come together for a common cause, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who need it most. We invite all of Puerto Rico to join us in this effort of hope and humanitarian assistance.”
— Pedro Rosaly, president, Hecho en Puerto Rico Association
SPONSORED BY:
News is my Business was born in November 2010 out of a desire to provide no-nonsense, straightforward, English-language news relevant to Puerto Rico’s business community, in an all-digital format.
Our website relies on ads to provide free content and sustain our operations. By turning off your ad blocker, you help support us and ensure we can continue offering valuable content without any cost to you.
We truly appreciate your understanding and support. Thank you for considering disabling your ad blocker for this website
source