Launch of practical operation of the Artificial Intelligence Centre is too slow - Rinkevics

RIGA - The practical launch of the Artificial Intelligence Centre is proceeding too slowly, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said on Tuesday at a meeting with Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Raimonds Cudars (New Unity).

The president's aide Martins Dregeris, told LETA that Rinkevics met with Cudars at the Riga Castle to discuss the municipal elections and the requirement for municipal officials to obtain a special permit to work with state secrets, as well as planned preparations for the successful conduct of the Saeima elections. During the conversation, the President stressed that the quality and functioning of the relevant digital systems should be clear by October.

The parties also discussed the latest developments at the Artificial Intelligence Centre. Rinkevics pointed out that the Centre must start its work and that further delays should not be allowed. "This does not create a positive image for potential partners, either at home or abroad," the President said.

He stressed that it was important to start the Centre's activities as soon as possible, to define the first tasks and projects that will strengthen the capacity of the national Artificial Intelligence Centre and help boost Latvia's competitiveness.

The President also informed about the problems identified in the process of elaboration of the spatial and local plan amendments, which are faced by the municipalities. Rinkevics also made a proposal for amendments to the Cabinet of Ministers' Regulations on Local Government Spatial Development Planning Documents.

As Cudars' advisor Sabine Spurke informed LETA, the selection process for the head of the Artificial Intelligence Center is currently underway, after which the strategic goals of the Centre, future work and deadlines will be determined together with the new head.

Cudars believes that the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Centre is an important step towards fostering cooperation between business, academia and public institutions.

As reported, this year, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence was established in response to a law adopted by the Parliament. One of its tasks is to develop and promote artificial intelligence solutions for use in the public sector, ensuring a unified approach to the implementation of this technology, including ensuring the responsible use of this technology.