At the 25th National Meeting of Private Enterprise (ENADE 2026), business leaders highlighted El Salvador’s growing opportunity to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence–driven investment and innovation. Agustín Martínez, president of the National Private Enterprise Association, emphasized that the country can strengthen its competitiveness by integrating AI into core sectors such as services, manufacturing, tourism, and back-office operations. He noted that companies already adopting AI tools are reporting productivity gains of up to 30 percent, showing its immediate economic impact. Martínez stressed that AI should not be treated as an isolated technology but as a strategic pillar for national development, improving efficiency while freeing workers from repetitive tasks. However, he also warned about risks including cybersecurity threats, data protection challenges, and algorithmic bias, underscoring the need for strong human oversight. Overall, the message positioned AI as a defining factor for future competitiveness, with youth encouraged to actively shape and build the digital economy rather than wait for it to emerge.
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