Tec to create first Generative Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

Tec de Monterrey and Wizeline, a global technology services provider, have joined forces to launch the first Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Laboratory (Gen AI Lab -G.AI.L.-) in Mexico and Latin America, on the Tec’s own campus.

Its goal: to be the bridge between research, education, entrepreneurship, and real-world application of Generative AI, to drive innovation in response to the complex needs of the industry.

The Generative Artificial Intelligence Laboratory will be set up on the Guadalajara campus. Wizeline will invest around 9 million pesos for the construction of G.AI.L., which will have over 270 m2 of flexible workspace and is expected to open in 2024 as part of the Tec’s AI Hub.

In conjunction with the launch of G.AI.L., Wizeline also announced an investment of 1 million dollars for a scholarship program to be applied over the next 5 years, which will allow Tec students to access new technologies and AI-related academic programs.

The Gen AI Lab (G.AI.L.) aims to become the leading Generative AI knowledge hub in Mexico by driving innovations adapted to the needs of the industry.

Emphasis on innovation

G.AI.L. will combine Wizeline’s AI and technology expertise with that of the Tec’s faculty, researchers, and students to focus their efforts on becoming an innovative development hub in Latin America.

As well as researchers from Wizeline and the Tec, it will include students from Guadalajara and other campuses in developing new technology and solutions to be used by the company’s clients and the business ecosystem.

Key features of the G.AI.L. laboratory:

• Customer-centric approach
• Emphasis on open innovation
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration
• Ongoing data collection and analysis, including the creation of a Generative AI Observatory
• Designed for scalability.

“We’re developing AI practice on campus because we believe that our students should contribute to shaping our country and the world with modern technologies,” said Claudia Félix, Vice President of the Tec’s Western Region.

Transformative period

The G.AI.L. activities program, which will begin in 2023, will involve students in real AI challenges, professional internships and projects, and community or training activities such as: hackathons, open workshops for businesses and entrepreneurs, or talks in collaboration with Wizeline’s AI Academy.

At the same time, G.AI.L. will emphasize development of open-source proof-of-concept prototypes and models and business incubation. It will also establish a Generative AI Observatory, responsible for producing reports, publications, and a comprehensive Generative AI map.

According to Bismarck Lepe, founder and CEO of Wizeline, “It’s important that we work proactively to establish policies and shape technology for the benefit of humanity.”

He added, “Generative AI products like Chat GPT, Bard, and Dall-E may seem magical. But they’re the result of decades of work in algorithms, infrastructure, and chips.”

“We’re on the verge of witnessing the most transformative period in human history due to advances in artificial intelligence… Through innovation and technology, by uniting industry and academia, we can be more productive and create a better future for Mexico,” he concluded.

Merging knowledge and expertise

Linda Medina, Western Region Dean of the Tec’s School of Engineering and Sciences (EIC), highlighted the strategic importance of this collaboration.

“It enables the merging of knowledge and expertise, with participation from not only students but also teachers. “It combines practical insight and business innovation with academic rigor,” she said.

She added that this opens doors “to explore novel approaches, foster inventive solutions, and equip students and educators with the essential skills to address the ever-evolving challenges in AI.”

Similarly, she said that “This association will also aim to bring in important local and national business leaders who take advantage of what these technologies can do to transform the course of their companies.”

A bridge between research and entrepreneurship

The lab will benefit students, teachers, researchers, businesses, and startups who wish to explore Generative AI as a strategy for solving business challenges.

Similarly, in collaboration with Wizeline’s AI Academy, it will coordinate community and training activities, including organizing hackathons (intensive challenges in which problems are solved with technology), courses, or talks.

For his part, Alfonso Pompa, Jalisco Secretary of Innovation, Science, and Technology (SICyT), highlighted his wish to “offer a heartfelt thank you to Wizeline for this donation, which is an example that we hope many other organizations follow.

“If we can have greater numbers of talented people at the highest level, we will certainly be better positioned as a country.”

Wizeline was founded in Silicon Valley as a company focused on designing and developing digital products that drive business transformation.

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