Ruta N: 4 keys to understanding how the 2026 Davos Forum could impact Medellín's CTi ecosystem

Davos, the city in the Swiss Alps where various leaders gather to discuss the world's most pressing issues, has reached a major conclusion: humanity is approaching technological milestones between 2026 and 2030 that will redefine the economy: 

1. EThe End of Chatbots: "Agentic AI" Arrives for SMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) 

   The era of simple generative AI (chatbots) is giving way to "Agentic AI": AI models capable of reasoning, planning, and executing complex tasks from start to finish. These models operate without constant supervision, essentially acting as digital employees. 

   The Local Opportunity: Medellín has the potential to develop a specific vertical to implement these agents within its dense base of MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). This would enable the digitalization of local commerce and the textile sector by automating supply chains and sales processes without requiring large technical teams—effectively democratizing access to cutting-edge technology. 

2. Energy as Currency: Medellín as an Exporter of "Processed Intelligence" 

   One of the most powerful revelations from Davos is the "Physical Wall": there is no AI without massive amounts of electricity. The new global metric for economic efficiency will be "tokens per dollar, per watt," turning regions with clean energy into strategic power players. 

   Green Infrastructure : There is a massive opportunity for Medellín to lead the creation of Green Data Centers powered by hydroelectric energy. 

   Exporting Compute : The strategy is no longer just about hosting data, but about converting clean energy into "processed intelligence" (tokens) for export. This positions the local grid's stability as a premium asset for global tech investment. 

3.  Biodiversity as a Data Asset 

   Facing the urgent need for "Scientific AI"—models that understand real physical and biological laws without "hallucinating." 

   Tropical Laboratory : Medellín's universities and research centers have the opportunity to position themselves as global validation hubs. The goal is to train models that understand tropical biology and the Latin American context, effectively bypassing the data bias of the Global North. 

   Planetary Intelligence : The door is open for Medellín to become a premier hub for bio-climatic data analysis. 

4. Cybersecurity and Advanced Manufacturing 

   The analysis also highlights critical vulnerabilities and tangible opportunities in the physical world: 

   Fintech Alert : With the imminent arrival of quantum computing, Medellín’s Fintech sector must begin the migration to post-quantum cryptography. 

   Industrial Robotics: For Antioquia’s manufacturing sector, the integration of "Physical Intelligence" (robots that perceive and understand their environment) promises to boost productivity, allowing the region to compete with Asian markets in high-quality niches. 

AI in Latin America and Opportunities for Medellín as a Science, Technology, and Innovation District

Latin America has a window of opportunity to pivot toward productivity and competitiveness supported by Artificial Intelligence. The challenge is not merely adopting tools but capturing value through strategic use and scalability. Integrating AI into core mission processes, talent development, data utilization, and infrastructure development is fundamental—provided these efforts are accompanied by an adequate regulatory framework.

Validating technology within our specific context is the necessary step to unlock the potential identified by WIPO in Colombia: an as-yet-untapped biopharmaceutical capacity. By becoming a "ground truth" center—where industry and academia bridge analytical capabilities and clinical trials—Medellín can offer the world an AI that truly understands tropical biology. Initiatives like Futumed (the first special treatment zone for STI experimentation)materialize this vision, allowing for the scaling of an economy based on knowledge, traceability, and shared benefit. 

Sources: Foro Económico Mundial,  Mackinsey Latin America in the Intelligent Age: A new Path for Growth,   https://www.wipo.int/en/web/economics/innovation-capabilities