This ambitious project aims to transform the way the Portuguese language is represented and used in AI applications, focusing on cultural representation and data protection.

The creation of Amália is the result of a collaboration between national research centers and innovative companies. The Center for Responsible AI, Nova FCT, and Instituto Superior Técnico are leading the development, supported by the expertise of startups like Unbabel, which contributes its experience in multilingual models. The project benefits from several years of research, including work on data specific to the Portuguese language, a collaborative effort that also involves the Foundation for Science and Technology.

With Amália, Portugal aims not only to create an AI model that respects the European Portuguese variant but also to ensure cultural representation and control over data. This is reflected in the use of national supercomputing infrastructure, part of which is located in Barcelona, but with investments from the Portuguese government. This approach helps reduce costs and increase financial efficiency compared to external solutions provided by tech giants.

Beyond basic language processing, Amália has enormous potential for applications in various sectors. In healthcare, for example, the technology could be used to improve communication with patients suffering from diseases like Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), allowing them to regain the ability to communicate using a natural-sounding version of Portuguese. This functionality could be crucial for individuals who have lost the ability to speak, using AI to clone their voices.

In education, Amália could be used to create personalized tutors that teach the Portuguese curriculum, contributing to more effective and customized learning for children. Its implementation in the public administration sector also promises to be a game-changer, making it more efficient and accessible.

Furthermore, Amália will have a significant impact on startups in Portugal, providing a solid foundation for developing new applications and technological solutions that use the Portuguese language naturally and efficiently. Integrating the AI model into both the public sector and national startups is seen to give the country technological autonomy, promoting a more independent digital future.

This project represents a key milestone for Portugal, demonstrating how technological innovation, when applied thoughtfully, can benefit various aspects of society and the economy. The Amália AI model promises continuous evolution, with enormous transformative potential in areas ranging from education to public administration and healthcare, positioning Portugal at the forefront of AI technology in the Portuguese language.

Author

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.

Paulo Lopes