NEW YORK, Nov. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- RUTA N, the Colombian public-private venture dedicated to the development of innovative technology-based businesses, selected IRPA AI (The Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence), to lead its first-ever Digital Americas Pipeline Initiative (DAPI) which will develop an AI Center of Excellence and create thousands of RPA and AI jobs in Medellín, Colombia.

DAPI will leverage IRPA AI's membership network, trusted relationships, training and certification capabilities, as well as the cost-effective technology talent pool in Medellín to provide North and South American enterprises, service providers, startups and advisory firms with trained, experienced and certified RPA and AI professionals on demand and at scale. This initiative will: 

• Drive advanced service offerings through an IRPA AI apprenticeship residency, training and certification program
• Establish business networks to promote market engagement and sales for new AI/machine learning, RPA, and digital powered services 
• Increase foreign investments 
• Deliver R&D in automation and AI to enable analytics, Internet of Things -  IoT- and cloud computing
• Generate economic growth with increased jobs

"The greatest challenge in the rapidly expanding RPA and AI space is not technology, it's talent, and proximity to that talent," said Frank Casale, Founder of IRPA AI. "This is the first initiative of its kind to address this challenge, while creating scalable and affordable talent from a trusted, time zone friendly source. DAPI has full support from the Colombian government, businesses and academic research communities, and will advance automation and AI."

"We are delighted to announce the partnership with IRPA AI, and our funding of the AI Center of Excellence," said Alejandro Franco, Executive Director of Ruta N. "DAPI is a direct and bi-directional conduit, connecting RPA and AI technology, talent, intellectual property (IP) and funding between North and South America.  It provides us with economic fuel, creating highly sought-after employment opportunities that will positively and significantly impact our city's future business development. Frank Casale's vision, and IRPA AI's expansive global network and technology expertise will help anchor Medellín as the RPA and AI hub of Latin America." 

"This is great news for Colombia. Betting on AI brings great advantages in the development of solutions which will allow Colombian and foreign companies to obtain or maintain competitive advantages," said Felipe Jaramillo, President of ProColombia. "This alliance promotes the transfer of knowledge, technology, and job creation, as well as boosting research and development programs in the country."

"Medellín is a visionary city, a synonym of innovation and strength," said Sergio Escobar, Executive Director of ACI Medellín. "This is a city which continuously transforms itself to improve the quality of life for its inhabitants. Therefore, we are pleased that IRPA AI, as a symbol of innovation, believed in us to help us to improve the skills of our human talent. Thus, placing us in the top of the global market's demands."

Companies around the world have woken up to the transformational effect that RPA and AI bring to their businesses and are hard pressed to find the right digital talent from a relatively small pool. A global study from IDT found that 80 percent of businesses cite digital transformation as a priority, but only 17 percent of respondents had enough employees with the right skills to embark on a smooth digital transformation. The serious shortage of experienced and qualified people who can meet the demand has U.S. and Canadian corporations looking outside traditional sources for geographically close and cost-effective talent. 

The Digital Pipeline Initiative is being formally unveiled at IRPA AI's Automation Innovation Conference, on December 5-6, 2017 in New York and December 13, 2017 in London.  To learn more, email Carrie.Simon@irpanetwork.com.

About IRPA AI
Founded in 2013, the Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPA AI) is an independent professional association and knowledge forum for buyers, sellers, influencers and analysts of robotic process automation, cognitive computing and artificial intelligence. Our global network and advisory services offer leading-edge market intelligence, industry research, sourcing assistance and events as well as opportunities to learn and network with stakeholders across service industry functions. Membership in IRPA AI is free. To join and to learn more about IRPA AI please visit: www.irpaai.com.

About RUTA N 
Ruta N is a corporation created by the Medellin City Hall, TIGO-UNE and EPM in 2011 to boost the city's innovation ecosystem by promoting the development of innovative technology-based companies, thus increasing the competitiveness of the city and the region. The Ruta N corporation, which is financed with public funds, not only promotes the development of companies operating in Medellin (Colombia's second largest city), but also works with the public and private sectors to foster innovation, support entrepreneurs and provide technological training for youth.

About the ACI Medellin
Founded in 2002, the Cooperation and Investment Agency of Medellin and the Metropolitan Area (ACI Medellin) is the entity responsible for finding different organizations and allies at the international level to foster the development of the region through two tools: foreign direct investment and international cooperation. The ACI Medellin supports this Memorandum of Understanding by providing American companies with legal and operational guidance in Medellin, industry context and key local connections, thus facilitating their easy entry and growth thereof on the Colombian market.

About ProColombia
ProColombia is the organization tasked with the commercial promotion of non-traditional exports, international tourism, Foreign Investment in Colombia and the Colombia Country Brand. Through our national and international network of offices, we provide comprehensive consultancy and support to local entrepreneurs through services aimed at facilitating the design and implementation of their internationalization strategies, striving to generate, develop and finalize business opportunities.

SOURCE Institute for Robotic Process Automation and Artificial Intelligence (IRPA AI)

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