Interview of Luis Salazar Former Minister & International Consultant
April 15, 2024
Here are my main takeaways as Dina from my conversation with Luis:
- Humanizing technology. It’s essential to include people from various sectors, such as agriculture and construction, in our efforts. This inclusivity is crucial in fulfilling our mission as humans.
- The importance of strong leadership commitment in driving digital transformation. He highlights the need for leaders, particularly at the highest levels of government, to actively engage in understanding and prioritizing technology’s role in national development.
- A holistic approach to digital transformation, stressing the interconnectedness of various technological initiatives with societal challenges. He emphasizes the importance of aligning technological strategies with broader goals such as poverty reduction, healthcare improvement, and environmental sustainability.
- The significance of raising public awareness and engagement regarding technology’s impact on individuals and society. He believes that effective communication and dialogue are essential in garnering support for technological initiatives and ensuring their successful implementation.
Effective communication and dialogue are essential in garnering support for technological initiatives and ensuring their successful implementation.
Interview Start
Dina:
How would you introduce yourself, Luis?
Luis:
My name is Luis Adrian Salazar, and I am from Costa Rica. I hold a degree in Information Systems Engineering and have earned a master’s degree in Education Management. Over the years, I have served as an international consultant for various organizations, spanning the public, private, and multilateral sectors. My expertise lies primarily in telecommunications, digitalization, and digital transformation, with a particular focus on research and development in digital government innovation. In today’s digital economy, these areas intersect with numerous aspects of public, social, and human development. I am honored to have received the Informatic America award in Costa Rica for professional leadership, bestowed upon me by the College of Professional Informatics and Computing. Throughout my career, I have dedicated myself to making meaningful contributions in these fields.
I’m referenced by multiple national and international media outlets for consulting on issues related to disruptive technologies. I have been featured in Bloomberg, CNN, and numerous Costa Rican media outlets. In 2003, I was appointed as Vice Minister of Science and Technology, and in 2018, I became the Minister of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications. This role significantly changed my life, as telecommunications encompass significant areas such as radio, TV, and internet providers across the country. I have also been actively involved in other areas, such as participating in conferences with GSMA and serving as a speaker for CISO LATAM, an organization that brings together enterprises and governments in cybersecurity.
I am the founder and current president of the Red de Gobierno Digital para LAtam in the Organization of American States and the Inter-American Development Bank. I have also been invited as an expert to the World Economic Forum. My experience spans public policy-making, technology sector alliances, and telecommunications. I am passionate about organizing social, political, and university sectors to achieve consensus on driving digital transformation. I spearheaded the release of the digital transformation strategy in 2018 during my tenure as Minister, pioneering Costa Rica’s journey towards becoming the first digital electronic government in 2002.
With extensive experience in this field, I firmly believe that collaboration is essential to bridge gaps between individuals, enterprises, and governments amidst the digital transformation era. We are not just experiencing a digital transformation but rather a fundamental shift in the age we live in. Collaboration is key to understanding and prioritizing technological advancements for the benefit of society. By integrating different technologies and fostering cooperation, we can pave the way for national development and address pressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and violence cycles.
It is imperative for governmental leaders to grasp the impact of technology and prioritize its integration into national development strategies. However, challenges arise when multiple governmental sectors have divergent priorities, leading to fragmented approaches and inefficient resource allocation. By establishing clear leadership and integrating various technologies, we can create a solid foundation for national development. My tenure as Minister ended in 2020, and since then, the Ministry of Science has been reorganized to include innovation, science, technology, and telecommunications as separate areas. While this presents challenges, it underscores the evolving nature of technology and the need for adaptable governance structures.
Dina:
Thank you, Luis, for sharing your wealth of experience. I am intrigued by the dedicated ministries for science and technology in Latin American countries. In today’s digital age, what are the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining these ministries as standalone entities, especially considering the government’s increasing focus on digitalization?
Luis:
I believe the most crucial advantage lies in the country’s understanding of the true importance of technology. When discussing technology’s significance, it’s not merely about increasing bandwidth with 5G or similar advancements, but rather about transforming people’s lives. In 2000, our country experienced a significant cybersecurity attack that affected vital sectors such as Social Security and finance ministries. This incident highlighted the tangible consequences of technology disruptions, impacting critical services like surgeries, medical prescriptions, tax payments, and governmental operations.
During my tenure as Minister and working in the public sector, my primary achievement was bringing to light the genuine concerns and essential aspects of ongoing technological developments. Globally, we are often preoccupied with addressing monumental challenges, such as the situations in Israel, Ukraine, and other Middle Eastern countries. As humanity, we must shift our focus towards leveraging technology as a tool to address these challenges effectively.
It’s crucial for people to recognize the transformative power that these tools possess. While governments may discuss artificial intelligence, 5G, infrastructure improvements, and cybersecurity resilience, they may not fully comprehend the technology’s profound impact on history. The pace, scale, and scope of technological advancements are unprecedented, and their impact on humanity is significant. My goal is to instill this awareness and energy into discussions, ensuring that we prioritize technology’s role in addressing humanity’s needs effectively.
I sometimes feel frustrated because despite our efforts and research, we may be directing them in the wrong direction. However, organizations like UNESCO and the United Nations are taking commendable leadership roles in this regard. It’s essential to include people from various sectors, such as agriculture and construction, in our efforts. This inclusivity is crucial in fulfilling our mission as humans.
Dina:
Absolutely, humanizing technology is essential. As someone who has served as the Minister of Science, Technology, and Telecommunication in Costa Rica, how do you navigate discussions with other ministers who have their own priorities? How do you convey the importance of digitization and technology enhancement in such meetings?
Luis:
In Costa Rica, we’ve made strides in this area, and I recommend that governments consider integrating a ministry responsible for these matters. By having a seat at the table alongside other key ministries like finance, education, security, and health, we can communicate the importance of technology effectively. Establishing peer-to-peer communication allows us to bridge gaps and ensure that technology becomes a central part of the country’s priorities.
It’s crucial to garner support from the highest levels of government, as decisions at the top influence the implementation of digital transformation initiatives. Convincing leaders of the benefits and necessity of investing in various technological areas is key to success. Without the support of the highest levels of government, implementing digital transformation initiatives and navigating through this disruptive period in history becomes exceedingly challenging.
Dina:
Definitely you always need a political will from a high level to push you forward. But in Costa Rica specifically, what made it be the president’s priority? How did you push for that?
Luis:
I believe that the incumbent president must play a pivotal role in driving digital transformation. Although I am no longer part of the government, I must acknowledge the president’s efforts, as I have known him since his tenure as Minister of Finance when I was Minister of Technology. He is actively addressing critical issues such as 5G and cybersecurity, which are vital for the country’s development. Whether I agree with him or not, as a regular citizen, is irrelevant. What matters most is that these topics are on the national agenda, particularly within the Red Hayarch network, which brings together leaders in digital transformation for Latin America, managed by the Inter-American Development Bank and the Organization of American States.
I founded this organization in 2003, and its recent 20th-anniversary celebration in Chile showcased various approaches across different countries. Some nations place responsibility for digital transformation with the president, while others delegate it to the Minister of Finance. Regardless of the setup, it’s essential to assess whether leaders are genuinely engaged in driving change or merely paying lip service to technology’s role in national development. In Costa Rica, the leader of digital transformation holds a cabinet position, underscoring its importance at the highest levels of government.
I advocate for this model to be adopted worldwide as it ensures alignment between political discourse and actionable strategies for leveraging technology to address societal challenges. Technology is pervasive, impacting every aspect of human life. Alongside the environmental concerns like climate change, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping our interconnected world. Take the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, which illustrates how global events can have far-reaching consequences, emphasizing the need for collective action and technological solutions.
It’s fascinating to observe the convergence of human and computer behavior. While computers strive to emulate human cognitive processes, humans often adopt a computational mindset, seeking optimal solutions through logical reasoning and problem-solving. This paradigm shift challenges traditional notions of human-computer interaction, highlighting the dynamic nature of technology’s role in society.
Dina:
Indeed, Luis. During your tenure as Minister, what successes or accomplishments did you achieve for Costa Rica?
Luis:
One of our significant achievements was presenting a comprehensive digital transformation strategy encompassing e-government and various technical aspects aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We focused on enhancing enterprise and human capacities to adapt to technological changes, improving telecommunications infrastructure, and securing spectrum for 5G deployment. However, beyond tangible achievements like transitioning from analog to digital television and spectrum recovery, our most significant accomplishment was placing technology at the forefront of national development.
By raising awareness and prioritizing technology’s impact on individuals, enterprises, and overall human development, we laid the foundation for future advancements. Despite challenges such as spectrum allocation delays, the government’s acknowledgment of technology’s importance set a precedent for continued progress and innovation. Moving forward, democratizing internet access and investing in infrastructure remain crucial for fostering technological development and economic growth.
Dina:
Absolutely, Luis. I understand that your 2018 strategy emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence in digital government initiatives. Can you elaborate on your efforts in this regard?
Luis:
While our strategy emphasized digital government, we recognized the significance of artificial intelligence and began building capacities in this area. However, due to time constraints—Costa Rica’s governmental terms are four years, and I resigned after just over two years—we were unable to fully execute our plans. Nonetheless, I continue to advocate for the implementation of artificial intelligence in various organizations and conferences, recognizing its transformative potential. Despite limited time during my tenure, I remain committed to advancing technology’s role in driving societal progress.
Dina:
Of course, it would be very interesting if you could share with us your insights on AI. What’s your take on that? If, for instance, you were in government right now, what would be your recommendation on how to approach AI? And finally, to conclude, I would love to hear from you about your perspective on achieving collaboration, whether it’s on a national or international scale. If yes, who needs to be engaged and how?
Luis:
Yes, the most important thing is to share this experience. My most valuable asset is the firsthand experience of being part of the transformative changes in my country. Regarding AI in government, I believe it marks a pivotal milestone in our history—a shift to a new era. However, understanding and integrating AI into our national and international development strategies is both simple and complex. It’s simple because AI is disruptive; it’s complex because failure to incorporate it effectively would be detrimental. Collaboration is paramount. It’s the only way to prioritize and address these factors effectively. If we fail to collaborate, we risk failing to meet our collective human goals. This dialogue is crucial, as is ensuring that government and organizational leaders take charge of digital strategies, viewing them as pathways to comprehensive human development.
Dina:
Totally, that’s beautifully articulated. It’s been a real pleasure hearing how you humanize these objectives. Humanizing them is essential because, what good is incredible technological infrastructure if people are still suffering from hunger, poverty, or violence? This conversation has been enlightening, and I believe we should continue having more discussions like this. There’s so much to explore in terms of how technology impacts various sectors and how we can ensure integration and consolidation rather than fragmentation.
Luis:
Absolutely, I echo your sentiments. Thank you for this conversation, and indeed, there’s much more to delve into. Let’s continue working towards our shared objectives, ensuring that technology serves as a catalyst for comprehensive human development.
Interview End
Key Messages extracted by Dina:
- Luis emphasizes the pivotal role of AI in marking a new era in history. He underscores the necessity of integrating AI effectively into national and international development strategies. Failure to do so could have detrimental consequences, making collaboration and prioritization imperative.
- Collaboration emerges as a central theme in Luis’s discourse. He stresses that achieving collective human goals requires concerted efforts and collaboration across various sectors and stakeholders. Leaders must take charge of digital strategies, recognizing them as essential pathways to comprehensive human development.
- Both Dina and Luis advocate for a human-centric approach to technology. They highlight the importance of humanizing objectives, ensuring that technological advancements serve the well-being of people. Technological progress should not overlook the pressing human challenges such as hunger, poverty, and violence.
Interview done by
Dina Richani, is a consultant with a rich background of working with various governments and experience at renowned institutions like the United Nations and World Bank.
