UNAB Launches ADA, a Pioneering AI Platform to Accelerate Scientific Research in Chile

Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB), through the Office of Research and Doctoral Studies, is advancing the implementation of ADA, the AI-Accelerated Research Platform, a pioneering institutional initiative in Chile that integrates data use, advanced computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate and strengthen the university’s scientific capabilities.

The project, which includes Amazon Web Services as a strategic partner, will facilitate access to advanced technological infrastructure and specialized technical support for the UNAB community, which includes more than 400 researchers.

Regarding this initiative, Carolina Torrealba, Dean of Research and Doctoral Studies, noted:

“AI is redefining the boundaries of scientific research. While many institutions are already using AI, at UNAB we aim to lay the foundations for a strong and sustainable institutional capability that accelerates research across all fields of knowledge, while also enhancing the training of our young researchers.”

Elise Servajean, Director of ADA, explained: “UNAB is undergoing two key developments. On the one hand, there is the ongoing institutional digital transformation process, and on the other, a significant increase in R&D activity in recent years. This combination makes it the right time for the university to adopt data infrastructure that enables world-class research.”

The ADA platform, named in tribute to Ada Byron, the first computer programmer, represents a significant step in strengthening UNAB’s position in the national and international scientific landscape. It will help attract talent, foster collaboration with institutions both in Chile and abroad, and support a more dynamic and interdisciplinary research ecosystem.

A New Way of Conducting Research

Unlike other tools, ADA is not an automated chatbot system, but rather an advanced environment that will allow the UNAB research community to work with large volumes of data, apply complex algorithms, and develop predictive models, among other capabilities.

In its initial phase, the infrastructure will operate primarily in the cloud, allowing researchers to access high-performance computing resources from their own computers, without the need for specialized equipment.

According to the platform’s director, the use of ADA will transform how research is conducted:

“Tasks that previously took months can now be completed in hours. This fundamentally changes the way research is carried out, as it allows researchers to incorporate elements they may not have considered before due to time constraints or complexity.”

“That is where acceleration plays a role. When data analysis speeds up, processes become shorter and results are available much sooner. It allows researchers to test more ideas within a shorter timeframe and obtain more robust results,” she added.

In addition to infrastructure and technological tools, Amazon Web Services will contribute a key component: expert support for the implementation of the model. A specialized team will work alongside researchers to develop solutions, apply AI tools, and optimize their analytical processes.

“Today, our researchers have strong ideas they want to pursue. By integrating AI and advanced data analysis with the technical support they need, we will be able to move much faster and generate greater impact,” Servajean said.

Cross-Disciplinary Impact

Although AI is often associated with STEM fields, the initiative is designed as a cross-disciplinary resource, open to all areas of knowledge, from health and rehabilitation to the humanities.

“We will likely see the greatest acceleration in areas that do not currently use these technologies, but that have large amounts of data and can benefit significantly from their application,” the director noted.

The platform is also expected to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, enabling connections between research teams working on similar problems or using related tools.

Cultural Change and Future Outlook

The initial phase of ADA includes a six-month pilot program involving two or three projects, selected through a competitive process and affiliated with UNAB research centers or institutes.

“This phase will allow us to validate how the platform operates and measure its impact in terms of acceleration and outcomes,” Servajean explained.

Beyond the technological component, one of the main challenges of the project is to drive a cultural shift within the research community, encouraging the adoption of new tools and methodologies.

To support this, training programs will be implemented for researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and doctoral students, with the goal of establishing these capabilities across the university.

In the medium term, ADA is expected to drive changes in research practices, academic profiles, and institutional scientific output.

“Our goal is for this to become a lasting institutional capability, one that researchers adopt and build upon over time, leading to greater collaboration and more impactful research,” concluded Elise Servajean.