10 Trends In AI And Blockchain From Singularity Chile

Forbes

5 days ago

CEO of Singularity Chile, Barbara Silva
Over the past few weeks, I traveled through Argentina, Chile, and Brazil, experiencing firsthand the energy and transformation sweeping Latin America. I saw blockchain in real-world action, AI reshaping traditional sectors, and a desire for meaningful change.
One of the biggest highlights?
Singularity Chile 2025. This wasn't just a conference. It was a call to action. Latin America is no longer looking to the future—it's building it.
I was honored to be invited to keynote there by Barbara Silva, the CEO of Singularity Chile.
Here are 10 powerful insights that emerged from the experience—lessons for innovators, leaders, and changemakers everywhere.
We tend to romanticize disruption, but real disruption is messy. It demands guts, clarity, and to be misunderstood.
WOM, one of the leading telecommunications company in Chile and Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM.
In Chile, I met one of my favorite disruptors: Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM. Chris didn't just enter the telecom space—he shattered expectations. WOM has revolutionized mobile access in Chile by standing up to giants, cutting fees, and building trust through honesty and inclusion.
In visiting their Headquarters and in chatting with the disruptor himself, Chris told me that 'Getting involved with Singularity opened up our eyes to the full potential of AI and how we can positively transform WOM and more importantly Chile through the use of AI.
The WOMers at the WOM Headquarters
Takeaway: The companies leading Latin America's transformation are those whose leaders are willing to break the rules to rewrite the game—and inspire others to follow.
Chile isn't just rich in lithium and copper—it's rich in potential. Chile remains the world's top copper producer and the second-largest lithium supplier, accounting for nearly 24% of global output in both.
These resources are critical for the global green energy transition. But Chile's real differentiator is how it's leveraging them through tech: AI optimizing mining operations, blockchain ensuring transparent traceability, and upskilling local talent.
We discussed how Chile's unique mix of physical assets and digital ambition could make it a global model for sustainable innovation.
Aaron Viccaro, President, Singularity University
In chatting with Aaron Viccaro, President, Singularity University, 'The Singularity Summit in Santiago marked a turning point for Latin America. Chile, with its deep scientific talent and bold commitment to innovation, is uniquely positioned to lead the region into a future shaped by exponential technologies. What we saw last week was not just excitement- it was the beginning of a conversation between innovators, policymakers, and investors who all believe Latin America can go from adapting to disruption to driving it. The world should be watching what's happening here.'
Takeaway: Resources aren't enough—it's how you digitize and democratize access to them that defines whether you lead or follow.
In a world of rising cyber threats and AI-generated attacks, cybersecurity is no longer an IT checklist—it's a core pillar of organizational trust. And in Latin America, where digital adoption is booming, the stakes are even higher.
At Singularity Chile, I heard about startups working on decentralized identity solutions, governments testing blockchain to reduce fraud, and companies prioritizing zero-trust architectures.
Jaya Baloo, one of the world's top cybersecurity leaders
One of the keynote speakers was Jaya Baloo. She has earned a reputation as one of the world's top cybersecurity leaders, having served as Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at KPN Telecom and Avast—where she navigated high-profile breaches—and recognized among the top 100 global CISOs and top 100 security influencers.
Takeaway: If cybersecurity isn't already on your board's agenda, your customers, partners, and investors will put it there for you—through trust erosion or attrition.
Forget buzzwords. AI is already accelerating revenue, reducing waste, and driving personalized customer experiences.
In Chile, I chatted with companies like NotCo. At the heart of NotCo's innovation is "Giuseppe," their proprietary AI platform. Giuseppe analyzes the molecular structure of animal products and identifies plant-based combinations that mimic their taste, texture, and aroma.
One of NotCo's most intriguing projects is the creation of "NotTurtle" soup. Using Giuseppe, the team developed a plant-based version of traditional turtle soup, a delicacy that contributes to the endangerment of turtle species. Giuseppe analyzed 300,000 plants and evaluated 260 quintillion combinations to find a blend of five plant proteins that closely resemble turtle meat. .
The real difference? Those succeeding aren't just adding AI—they're rebuilding business models around it.
Takeaway: AI isn't a plug-in—it's a force multiplier. Those who integrate it boldly will set the pace in the next decade.
AI will change the nature of work, but it won't replace the uniquely human strengths of empathy, creativity, and critical thinking. Schools and universities in Chile are beginning to embed exponential thinking and ethical AI discussions into their curriculums—but more must be done.
We need hybrid skillsets: engineers who understand ethics, marketers who understand AI, and policymakers who understand technology's trade-offs. In my book, AI First, Human Always, humans are at the heart of true AI enabled innovation.
🧠 Takeaway: The next Latin American renaissance won't be fueled by tech alone—it will come from human-AI partnerships, built through education reform.
We've gotten used to AI behind screens, but what about when it walks among us? At Singularity Chile, robots like RIA wowed audiences, sparking discussions around ethics, regulation, and opportunity.
RIA, developed by Machani Group, features 32 degrees of freedom in its face and head, enabling over 100 unique expressions and remarkably human-like emotional responses through advanced AI-driven speech, vision, and voice synthesis Showcased at Singularity Summit Chile 2025, RIA has already made waves.
RIA, the humanoid with one of its creators, Mark Pinnes, SVP at Machani Group, visiting a local ... More Santiago school
Imagine RIA in customer service roles at airports, in elder care facilities, or even as AI teachers. For Chilean innovators, this is a chance to design how physical AI interacts with culture, language, and society from the ground up.
Takeaway: Don't just think of AI as software. The future includes physical embodiments of intelligence—and they need human-centered design from Day One.
Many see Latin America as an emerging player in crypto. This region embraces financial innovation because it must—traditional systems have failed many.
Josh Kriger, Co-Founder of Edge of Company and Co-Host of Edge of Show, led a panel on the power of blockchain and emerging technology like AI.
Josh Kriger, Co-Founder of Edge of Company and Co-Host of Edge of Show, leading the Blockchain Panel ... More with Lisa Loud - CEO of Secret Foundation, Cathy Hackl - BCG, Karine Arama - Partner @SGH Capital, and Sandy Carter - Chief Business Officer of Unstoppable
⁠He told me that 'participating in Singularity Chile was a powerful reminder of how blockchain is becoming the backbone of digital transformation across Latin America. From cross-industry adoption to the exponential pace of innovation and the integration of blockchain with AI and cybersecurity, it's clear that Chile is helping set the pace for the region's future.'
Chilean regulators are beginning to explore frameworks that balance innovation and consumer protection, a model that could inspire others globally.
Takeaway: Latin America is turning financial adversity into blockchain leadership—a blueprint for resilient innovation.
A key theme from Singularity Chile: exponential growth must be locally anchored. Copy-pasting Silicon Valley playbooks doesn't work.
What does? Co-creating solutions with communities, understanding hyperlocal data, and respecting cultural nuance.
The CEO of Singularity Chile, Barbara Silva, commented that 'The future is not just about embracing exponential technologies, but about developing an ethical and strategic vision for applying them. From artificial intelligence to cybersecurity, this Summit challenges us to lead with purpose, transform industries, and educate for a world where humanity and technology thrive together.'
The world is looking to Latin America for fresh thinking.
Takeaway: Growth without context is chaos. Build fast—but build local.
Perhaps the most powerful takeaway was this: the future isn't siloed. AI, blockchain, robotics, and cybersecurity aren't separate revolutions—they're one intertwined wave. The companies and governments that thrive will be those that can integrate these forces strategically.
Chilean firms are beginning to design next-gen platforms that reflect this convergence.
Takeaway: Don't build single-tech strategies. The leaders of tomorrow will orchestrate convergence to solve complex regional challenges.
After keynoting at the Her Global Impact event with inspiring female entrepreneurs, it became clear: women are becoming a driving force behind Chile's tech transformation.
Nearly 35% of new business founders in Chile are women—outpacing many global peers—and while just 11% of science – and tech‑based startups are led by women.
Her Global Impact in Chile
I met with Cataline Orellana Riverso, H.E.R. DAO Chile Core leadership member and she told me that female founders and developers are committed to closing the gap.
The result? A quiet revolution—women-led ventures are growing faster, innovating harder, and shaping the future of tech and trust in Chile.
Takeaway: The future of Latin American innovation is female and rising. By supporting women-led tech, Chile isn't just leveling the playing field—it's unlocking its secret weapon for inclusive, exponential growth.
Singularity Chile reminded me that innovation isn't just about technology—it's about trust, talent, and timing. Latin America has all three.
And perhaps most importantly, it has a deep belief in the potential of people. It doesn't need to follow the past paths of tech giants—it can blaze its own.
As we step into an AI-first, blockchain-backed, human-centered future, let's keep learning from places like Chile—where innovation meets courage, and exponential change meets local heart.
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