Intelligent CIO LATAM Issue 47 | Page 8

NEWS

Intel and Softtek strengthen tech alliance with focus on AI

“ Softtek is both a provider and a technology partner for Intel, and we contribute the technology they use,” said General director of Intel for Latin America, Gisselle Ruiz Lanza.
She also emphasized the bicultural nature of the alliance, noting that Intel, an American company, and Softtek, founded in Mexico with a global presence, share a common vision for the responsible use of technology.

The collaboration between Intel and Softtek has entered a new phase, shaped by the rise of AI, to offer joint solutions that drive‘ digital transformation’ across Latin America.

“ A good portion of the solutions we’ re developing are related to AI. It’ s a symbiotic relationship that has matured over time,” said Gisselle Ruiz Lanza, Intel’ s Regional Director for Latin America.
The two companies base their alliance on three strategic pillars: co-creating practical solutions, integrating technologies and mutual feedback.
One of the main results of the partnership is FRIDA, Softtek’ s automation platform, powered by Intel Gaudi processors and OpenVINO.
Carlos Méndez, General Director of Industry, Softtek:“ These technologies have increased productivity by 40 % and reduced testing times by 30 %.”
For Méndez, the alliance between the two companies:“ Isn’ t just about technology; it also builds trust. That opens the door to new conversations, to exploring different paths. The challenge of artificial intelligence is global, but from Mexico, with this combination of capabilities, we have a real opportunity to create solutions that transcend borders.”

SukuPay becomes first crypto infrastructure embedded in a major LATAM bank app

In a breakthrough for blockchain-powered finance, SukuPay, the fintech modernizing cross-border payments through invisible crypto infrastructure, has been fully embedded as the remittance engine inside Zigi – the mobile app of Banco Industrial – Guatemala’ s largest bank.

This integration marks the first time a crypto-native protocol has gone live at this depth inside a top-tier LATAM retail bank.
Guatemalans can now receive funds from the US instantly and securely for a flat $ 0.99 fee – using only a phone number through their existing bank app.
“ This isn’ t a feature, it’ s a financial infrastructure upgrade,” said Yonathan Lapchik, CEO, SukuPay.
“ By embedding SukuPay inside Zigi, Banco Industrial has become the first bank in Latin America to fully adopt stablecoin rails as a core remittance engine. We’ re not offering a crypto product. We’ re powering real-world payments that actually work for real people – banked or unbanked.” remittances annually, making it the second-largest recipient in Latin America after Mexico.
However, traditional remittance services are regarded as outdated and burdened by high fees, slow settlement and painful user experiences.
“ With SukuPay’ s infrastructure embedded directly into Zigi, we’ re not just improving remittances, we’ re setting a new standard,” said Michel Caputi, Head of Strategic Alliances Division, Banco Industrial.
Each year, over $ 165 billion is sent in remittances from the US to Latin America, with Guatemala receiving over $ 21 billion in
“ This is a modern solution to a legacy problem – and we’ re proud to lead the way in Latin America.”
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