Why sovereignty and AI are inseparable

Eduardo Espinel on Technocast: Why Sovereignty Shapes the Future of Colombia’s Digital Infrastructure

Colombia is entering a new phase of digital growth, one defined by resilient infrastructure, operational maturity and the rise of sovereign AI. On CCIT’s Technocast, Ilkari’s Head of Data Center, Eduardo Espinel, joined the conversation to share what this moment looks like from inside the engine room – where capacity, governance, and innovation converge.

He began in Tocancipá, where Ilkari’s data centre is located within the free trade zone. The location provides clear advantages: strong connectivity, a supportive environment for investment and the ability to scale as compute demands intensify. But as Eduardo noted, infrastructure alone is never enough. Ilkari’s maturity level 4 processes and internationally aligned certifications reflect a more profound commitment to long-term resilience.

Sovereignty framed much of the discussion. Eduardo described it as confianza y control – understanding who owns the data, who can access it and how it moves through the system. Colombia’s regulatory foundation, he said, has become a differentiator in the region, creating an environment where companies can innovate without sacrificing trust.

AI surfaced as a defining pressure point. With nearly 30 legislative proposals in motion, the country is navigating how to encourage innovation while maintaining the integrity of its data. Eduardo noted that this is where sovereignty matters most: companies can adopt AI with confidence only when confianza y control – clear ownership and protection of information – are guaranteed. In his view, sovereignty and AI are inseparable and one cannot scale without the other. His perspective was clear: progress should not be slowed by fear. Instead, Colombia has a chance to use AI to strengthen roles, expand capabilities and build new opportunities for its workforce.

The conversation also moved into energy capacity, high-density environments and the realities of scaling GPU workloads. Eduardo emphasised that preparing for AI is not a single technical challenge but a sustained effort grounded in people, engineering discipline and clear operational standards. He also highlighted a critical advantage often overlooked in regional comparisons: Colombia’s deep pool of engineering talent and the day-to-day expertise required to maintain reliability at scale.

For a deeper look at where Colombia is heading and how Ilkari is helping shape the infrastructure that will support that future, listen to the full Technocast episode (available in Spanish).

• AI
• Data sovereignty