President Gabriel Boric launches a decade-long roadmap to transform Chile from a resource-extraction economy into a global leader in knowledge, computing, and health sciences.
SANTIAGO, CHILE - In a decisive move to redefine its economic future, the Chilean government has officially launched its National Biotechnology and Quantum Technology Strategies for the 2025-2035 period. President Gabriel Boric Font, alongside the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (MinCiencia), unveiled the roadmap on Wednesday, December 17, marking a pivotal shift from the nation's historical reliance on raw material extraction toward a sophisticated knowledge-based development model.
The launch, which aligns with the United Nations' declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technologies, establishes Chile as a frontrunner in Latin American technological policy. The administration's vision is clear: to consolidate the country's trajectory based on real scientific capabilities and to secure "quantum sovereignty" in an increasingly volatile global digital landscape.
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According to reports from MinCiencia, the new strategies are designed to orient the development of frontier technological sectors over the next ten years. The initiative follows the successful model of Chile's National Policy on Artificial Intelligence, utilizing an Advisory Commission to deliver a diagnostic report that highlighted the necessity of a coordinated national approach.
The strategy articulates a 2035 vision of a strong, dynamic, and connected ecosystem. This framework aims to synchronize public bodies, research organizations, and private companies to accelerate the discovery, translation, and adoption of these critical technologies. Experts indicate that the timing is critical, as nations worldwide race to prepare for "Q-Day"-the theoretical point when quantum computers will break current encryption standards.
"The race to advance the development of quantum technologies, far from being a competition to see who gets there first, is excellent news that allows us to be better prepared for Q-Day. And Chile cannot be left behind," experts noted in recent analyses leading up to the launch.
One of the most striking aspects of the new policy is the explicit prioritization of "Quantum Sovereignty." While Chile has long been a powerhouse in astronomy-hosting a significant percentage of the world's observational capacity-the move to quantum computing represents a diversification of its scientific portfolio. The 2035 vision focuses on three core pillars: infrastructure creation, talent development, and the promotion of advanced research.
This is not merely aspirational. Reports indicate that the strategy is "built on real capabilities," leveraging Chile's existing academic networks and global partnerships. By focusing on sovereignty, the government aims to ensure that Chile is a producer, not just a consumer, of next-generation computing technologies. This involves deeper collaboration between the government, the private sector, and academia to build the necessary hardware and software ecosystems locally.
Parallel to the quantum initiative is the National Biotechnology Strategy. While specific technical details are still being disseminated, the overarching goal is to apply biotechnological advances to the health and productive sectors. This dual-track approach recognizes that the convergence of high-performance computing (quantum) and biological sciences is where the next wave of global economic value will be generated.
For a country rich in biodiversity, biotechnology offers a path to add value to natural resources rather than exporting them raw. This aligns with MinCiencia's broader objective to consolidate Chile's status as a country transitioning toward an economy based on knowledge and innovation.
International observers have lauded the move. According to Access Partnership, the strategy's pillars are robust, focusing on a "connected ecosystem." Furthermore, the guest post analysis from The Quantum Insider suggests that Chile's approach is grounded in pragmatism, consolidating a trajectory based on actual scientific merit rather than hype.
However, challenges remain. An intelligence report on Quantum Diplomacy highlights that many regions still lack dedicated national strategies due to shortages in local expertise and digital infrastructure. Chile's proactive stance aims to mitigate this, preventing the "digital divide" from becoming a "quantum divide." By launching this strategy now, Chile positions itself alongside major players like the EU, which is expanding its EuroQCI initiative, and the US, which continues to leverage its National Quantum Initiative.
The shift has profound implications for the Chilean economy. Historically dependent on copper and lithium, the move toward quantum and biotech signals a desire to move up the value chain. For the business sector, this signals upcoming incentives for R&D and public-private partnerships. Startups in the health tech and deep tech sectors are expected to be the primary beneficiaries of new government grants and infrastructure projects.
For the average citizen, the long-term impact promises high-quality employment opportunities. The strategy emphasizes workforce development, suggesting a revamp of university curricula to include quantum mechanics, bioinformatics, and advanced computing skills. This educational pivot is essential to support the "country of innovators" model the administration envisions.
With the strategy now official, the focus shifts to implementation. The timeline aligns with global milestones, including the UN's 2025 focus on quantum science. Immediate next steps likely include the formation of specialized task forces within MinCiencia and the allocation of the 2026 budget toward establishing the physical infrastructure required for quantum research.
As Chile steps into this new era, the world is watching. If successful, the 2025-2035 strategy could serve as a blueprint for other emerging economies seeking to bypass the traditional industrialization phase and leapfrog directly into the deep tech revolution.
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