Colombia and Japan: Opportunities for cooperation in Al for SMEs

Colombia has established itself as a key player in the adoption of artificial intelligence (Al) in Latin America, positioning itself as a driver of economic growth and digital transformation in the region by 2025. This is evidenced by a Microsoft study that reveals that 77% of Colombian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) already implement or intend to use Al in their operations. This research reveals that there is a favorable environment for Al, where digital native companies set the tone. The use of these tools is transforming the interactivity of companies with their customers and the optimization of their internal processes.

By Cristóbal Moreno Velásquez, Social Intern, University of La Sabana

Photo: Freepik

In contrast, Colombia lags in the regional panorama, where Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay lead in the use of Artificial Intelligence. According to a report supported by ECLAC and published in 2024, these countries stand out for their progress in research, innovation, and adoption of Al. In the same report, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico are noted in the category of adopters. Even though the region has doubled, on average, the percentage of talent concentration in Al within the labor force in the last eight years, we are still far from the development achieved by the United States or Europe.

In the particular case of Colombian SMEs, which are the mainstay of our economy - representing more than 99.5% of formal companies, generating 79% of employment and contributing close to 40% of annual GDP, according to BBVA Research (2024)-, they have been adapting to this global trend. Sectors such as services, commerce, and manufacturing lead to a still incipient adoption of artificial intelligence (Al). Nevertheless, SMEs still face critical barriers: 42.5% of SMEs consider that Al is "not useful" for their operations, while high costs (33%) and lack of experience (30.7%) limit its implementation, according to research by Universidad EAFIT.

Photo: Microsoft

Aware of these limitations, and in line with the potential that Al represents for the country's growth, the national government -through the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MinCiencias)- has focused on promoting its development and adoption. To this end, it has designed a roadmap towards 2025 that prioritizes innovation and knowledge transfer, the strengthening of human talent, the development of infrastructure, and the promotion of Al as a tool for sustainable development. This strategy is projected as the basis for driving digital transformation in strategic sectors such as health, education, and finance, among others.

A key milestone in this progress is the ICT Cooperation Memorandum signed in 2024 between the ICT Ministry of Colombia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan whose main purpose is to strengthen connectivity, cybersecurity, and the development of artificial intelligence (Al) through information exchange mechanisms, joint visits and collaboration between companies and institutions of both countries. This is an opportunity for Colombian SMEs to approach a highly competitive market, such as the Japanese one, which is investing significantly in artificial intelligence and seeks international collaborations to strengthen its technological ecosystem.

Photo: MinTic

In this context of cooperation, Japan has been a solid ally in Colombia's technological development, and a clear example of this is the implementation of the e-Kakashi system in the Colombian rice sector. Developed by Japanese company PS Solutions and supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), e-Kakashi employs advanced technologies such as the Internet of Things (loT), big data, and artificial intelligence to monitor key field conditions, such as temperature and humidity, in real-time. This solution has enabled farmers to optimize their processes, increase productivity, and strengthen the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in international trade, opening new export opportunities and promoting sustainable growth.

Photo: Euronews

Beyond its impact on productivity, the implementation of e-Kakashi highlights the added value that international -and particularly Japanese- cooperation brings to Colombian agricultural SMEs. The transfer of knowledge, the strengthening of technical capacities, and the creation of jobs linked to data management and emerging technologies are just some of the benefits derived from this type of initiative. This case reflects how collaboration between Colombia and Japan can be an engine of transformation for SMEs, not only improving their competitiveness but also contributing to the social and environmental development of the regions where they operate.

This type of experience becomes even more relevant in the current Colombian context, especially after the approval of the National Policy on Artificial Intelligence, which marks a milestone in the country's technological development. With an investment of COP 479 billion (US$115.9 million) until 2030, this strategy establishes 106 concrete actions to accelerate the adoption of Al in key sectors. This policy framework not only strengthens the development and interoperability of Colombian SMEs but also expands opportunities for international collaboration, highlighting Japan as a strategic partner for knowledge transfer and the establishment of alliances in innovation and technology.

Photo: Microsoft

However, the realization of this potential implies facing significant challenges. The cooperation of Colombian SMEs in Japan faces key challenges. Adapting The high-quality standards and regulations, coupled with cultural, linguistic, and financial differences, limit their ability to enter the market. In addition, In addition, 65.2% of SMEs lack quality certifications restricting their access to higher value segments, while only 4 out of 10 have implemented innovation measures, weakening their competitiveness. Legal differences in data privacy and intellectual property also complicate the transfer of information and the development of joint artificial intelligence projects.

Even so, collaboration in this field offers a strategic opportunity to strengthen the technological ecosystem and position Colombian SMEs in the global market, provided they manage to overcome regulatory and financial barriers.

But beyond external opportunities, I believe that Colombia faces a profound challenge: it is not enough to design ambitious policies or sign international memorandums if SMEs -which are the basis of our economy - continue to perceive artificial intelligence as something alien, costly, or unnecessary. This gap between the aspirations of the State and the reality of small businesses is, in my opinion, the main obstacle. Lack of technical training, fear of change and economic limitations have marginalized many of these companies from a key process for their survival and growth in an increasingly globalized market.

However, I recognize the potential that exists, Strategic alliances such as the one with Japan can bring much more than technology; they can open doors to new ways of thinking and doing business. Therefore, I firmly believe that the key will be to put SMEs at the center, not only as recipients of public policy but as protagonists of their digital transformation, if they have real and effective support. Without that, AI will remain a promise that, although it sounds good in speeches, will hardly reach those who need it most.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• News Center Microsoft Latinoamérica. (2024, 6 marzo). 77% de las Pymes colombianas ya implementan o quieren usar IA, según encuesta de Microsoft - News Center Latinoamérica. News Center Latinoamérica. https://news.microsoft.com/es-xl/77-de-las-pymes-colombianas-ya-implementan-o-quieren-usar-ia-segun-encuesta-de-microsoft/

  
  

• Colombia ya cuenta con una Hoja de Ruta en Inteligencia Artificial. (s. f.). Minciencias. https://minciencias.gov.co/sala_de_prensa/colombia-ya-cuenta-con-una-hoja-ruta-en-inteligencia-artificial

  
  

• Colombia y Japón firman Memorando de Cooperación en Tecnologías de la Información para fortalecer las TIC del país. (s. f.). MINTIC Colombia. https://www.mintic.gov.co/portal/inicio/Sala-de-prensa/Noticias/395676:Colombia-y-Japon-firman-Memorando-de-Cooperacion-en-Tecnologias-de-la-Informacion-para-fortalecer-las-TIC-del-pais

  
  

• Euronews. (2019, 18 marzo). Tecnología japonesa para ayudar a los agricultores colombianos a luchar contra el cambio climático. Euronews. https://es.euronews.com/business/2019/03/15/tecnologia-japonesa-para-ayudar-a-los-agricultores-colombianos-a-luchar-contra-el-cambio-c

  
  

• Nace una nueva Política Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (IA). (s. f.). https://www.dnp.gov.co/Prensa_/Noticias/Paginas/nace-una-nueva-politica-nacional-de-inteligencia-artificial-ia.aspx

  
  

• Índice Latinoamericano de Inteligencia Artificial (ILIA) mantiene a Chile, Brasil y Uruguay como líderes en la región. (s. f.). Comisión Económica Para América Latina y el Caribe. https://www.cepal.org/es/comunicados/indice-latinoamericano-inteligencia-artificial-ilia-mantiene-chile-brasil-uruguay-como

  
  

• Llanes, M. C. (2024, 2 febrero). Colombia | Una mirada a las mipymes en Colombia. BBVA Research. https://www.bbvaresearch.com/publicaciones/colombia-una-mirada-a-las-mipymes-en-colombia/

  
  

• Cinco desafíos de calidad de las Pymes para avanzar en competitividad y llegar a más mercados | MINCIT. (s. f.). MINCIT. https://www.mincit.gov.co/prensa/noticias/industria/premio-colombiano-calidad-para-la-exportacion#:~:text=As%C3%AD%20se%20desprende%20de%20un,tipo%20de%20certificaci%C3%B3n%20de%20calidad.

  
  

• IT Digital Media Group. (2023, 6 julio). 4 de cada 10 pymes aun no han adoptado tecnologías digitales. Transformación Digital | Tecnología Para Tu Empresa. https://tecnologiaparatuempresa.ituser.es/transformacion-digital/2023/07/4-de-cada-10-pymes-aun-no-han-adoptado-tecnologias-digitales