Panama Strengthens its AI and Tech Strategy as a Development Pillar

The Key Development

Panama has officially launched its National Commission on Critical and Emerging Technologies (CNTCE), and within it, a Subcommission on Artificial Intelligence (AI), solidifying a state policy for technological development. This installation, formalized on July 8, 2026, represents the first coordination mechanism among government, academia, and the private sector in AI matters, integrating key stakeholders from Senacyt, universities, associations, and relevant ministries (observatorioia.com.pa).

Important Topics

1. National Advanced Technologies Agenda

• What Happened: The government announced that on July 30, 2026, it will launch the National Advanced Technologies Agenda, focusing on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and microelectronics (senacyt.gob.pa).
• Context: The strategy is built on six pillars: digital infrastructure, talent development, data governance, AI ethics, investment attraction, and application in key sectors (senacyt.gob.pa).
• Why It Matters: Panama positions itself as a future "reliable innovation hub" in Latin America, with potential to capture part of the global semiconductor market and leverage logistical and connectivity advantages (senacyt.gob.pa).
• Practical Recommendation: Entrepreneurs, universities, and companies should closely follow the release of this Agenda to participate in consultations and align with the announced strategic pillars.

2. CopernicusLAC – IDB Hackathon Focused on Food Security

• What Happened: Over 400 participants across 59 teams engaged in the third online hackathon of the CopernicusLAC Panama Center, organized with the Inter-American Development Bank. The event focused on food security using Earth observation data (copernicuslac-panama.eu).
• Context: This initiative is part of the cooperation between the EU and Latin America, supported by Senacyt and other bodies, under the Global Gateway strategy (copernicuslac-panama.eu).
• Why It Matters: Beyond fostering local innovation in strategic topics, the hackathon winner can scale their project with IDB funding (copernicuslac-panama.eu).
• Practical Recommendation: Developers and startups in the agri-tech and geo-tech sectors should pay attention to similar calls and prepare to apply in future editions.

3. Panama's AI Ecosystem Taking Shape

• What Happened: The Panamanian Observatory of Artificial Intelligence (OPIA) is consolidating as a multisectoral platform to promote the responsible use of AI, generate indicators, highlight stakeholders, and encourage research (observatorioia.com.pa).
• Context: The Observatory offers actor maps, strategic reports, and collaboration spaces aimed at strengthening AI governance and adoption in Panama (observatorioia.com.pa).
• Why It Matters: An organized structure around OPIA facilitates startups, institutions, and professionals' involvement in public policy discussions and collaborative projects.
• Practical Recommendation: Tech and academic stakeholders should register in the AI Actor Map to enhance visibility and access to cooperation or investment networks.

Conclusion

Panama is taking concrete steps to establish a solid tech ecosystem: from institutionalizing AI governance, structuring a National Advanced Technologies Agenda, to hosting hackathons that connect innovation with financing. In the coming days, monitoring the release of the national Agenda and the opening of consultations, as well as new public calls or collaborations driven by the AI Observatory, will be crucial. These initiatives reveal that the country is building the pillars of a competitive, ethical, and globally aligned digital future.