El Salvador is making bold strides in its bid to become a regional tech powerhouse, launching a new public education initiative called Urban Centers for Welfare and Opportunities (CUBO) AI. This program will offer university-level artificial intelligence courses to students and professionals, aiming to equip them with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving digital landscape. Cathie Wood, founder and CEO of ARK Invest, will deliver the inaugural lecture, marking a significant endorsement from a leading figure in finance and technology. The initiative, backed by El Salvador’s government, follows the success of the CUBO Bitcoin and Lightning Network developer program, which helped establish the country as a rising crypto hub. In a March 23 post on X, El Salvador’s Bitcoin Office described CUBO AI as a key pillar in the country’s transformation into a “tech and financial powerhouse” for the region. The program will collaborate with industry experts to provide practical, real-world AI education, fostering innovation and creating new opportunities for the local workforce. Growing Ties With Global Tech Leaders El Salvador’s tech ambitions have been steadily gaining attention, attracting major industry figures. In May 2024, Cathie Wood met with President Nayib Bukele to discuss the country’s digital asset strategies and AI policy. Following the meeting, Wood expressed confidence in El Salvador’s growth potential, predicting that the nation could increase its GDP tenfold over the next five years if it maintains its tech-focused trajectory. “El Salvador’s GDP could scale 10-fold during Bukele’s next five-year term,” Wood wrote in a post on X. The country’s growing reputation as an innovation hub has also drawn interest from Elon Musk. In September 2024, Bukele and Musk reportedly discussed AI , cryptocurrency, and other emerging technologies. Musk praised Bukele as an “amazing leader,” hinting at potential future collaborations that could further bolster El Salvador’s tech sector. Positioning for the Future El Salvador’s embrace of AI and crypto education reflects its broader strategy to become a global technology and financial innovation hub. The country has already introduced Bitcoin classes in public schools, leveraged geothermal energy for BTC mining, and passed policies promoting both AI and cryptocurrency adoption. By investing in AI education and forging relationships with tech heavyweights like Wood and Musk, El Salvador is signaling its commitment to long-term technological and economic growth. The post El Salvador Launches AI Education Program With Cathie Wood’s Backing appeared first on TheCoinrise.com .