AGP Executive Report

AI Health: Early Signal Diagnostics plans a 10,000-patient study in Bogotá to validate AI biomarkers for earlier cancer detection. Digital Finance: MoneyGram’s redesigned app adds digital transfers to Colombia, with stablecoin-backed features available in select markets. Biodiversity Funding: The Cali Fund, created at COP16 to share benefits from commercial use of genetic data, has raised just $7,085 since launching in 2025. Climate and Health: Colombia leads a global scorecard for integrating health into its climate plan, while a new PAHO study will survey healthcare workers in Colombia and 16 other countries. Species Recovery: Colombia and Armenia launched a coalition at COP17 to speed recovery of endangered species.

AI & Brain Health: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech patterns that sound older than a person’s age with dementia and brain-aging markers. The researchers stress that the tool is not a diagnostic test. Digital Finance: MoneyGram’s new app combines international transfers with digital balances and stablecoin-powered features; the company says users can send money to Colombia. Biodiversity Science: Colombia and Armenia announced CARES, a coalition to speed recovery of endangered species, at the COP17 summit. Cancer Research: Bogotá-based Early Signal Diagnostics plans a 10,000-patient study to validate AI cancer biomarkers. Space & Education: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028 and has partnered with Google on AI training for schools.

Health Research: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including participants in Colombia, found that speech patterns estimated to sound older were linked to dementia and older-appearing brain scans. Researchers say the tool is not a diagnostic test. AI in Medicine: Early Signal Diagnostics plans to validate its AI cancer-screening platform with 10,000 patients at two Bogotá laboratories from 2027, testing for ovarian and pancreatic cancers using blood samples. Biodiversity: Scientists have described a new giant water lily, Victoria colombiana, found in the Inírida River. Satellite images helped researchers locate the rare plant in Guainía. Technology: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028 and has teamed up with Google on AI training for schools.

Health Research: A new speech-based “clock” tested on 2,928 Spanish speakers, including Colombians, found that speech sounding older than a person’s age was associated with dementia markers. It is not a diagnostic tool, and the study does not show cause and effect. Biodiversity: Researchers identified Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily in Guainía, after satellite images helped locate plants along the Inírida River. The rare species may number only about 50 in the wild. Telecoms: Movistar has become Tigo in Colombia after Millicom’s takeover, reshaping the market; the company says customers should see little immediate change. AI and Space: Google and Colombia are teaming up to train school staff in AI, while the country plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028. Urban Climate: Medellín’s tree-planting corridors have helped cool the city, but rising heat is testing the approach.

Health Research: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that speech patterns sounding older than a person’s age were associated with dementia and other brain-health markers. The tool is not a diagnostic test, and the study does not show cause and effect. Biodiversity: Researchers identified a giant water lily, Victoria colombiana, in Guainía, combining satellite imagery with Indigenous knowledge; estimates suggest only about 50 plants may remain in the wild. Telecoms: Movistar is becoming Tigo after Millicom’s takeover, with the company planning US$2.6 billion in investment over four years. AI and Space: Colombia and Google are teaming up to train school communities in AI, while a hackathon in Leticia produced an app in five Indigenous languages. Colombia also plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028.

Health Research: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech that sounds older than a person’s age with dementia markers and older-appearing brain scans. Researchers say it is not a diagnostic tool, and the one-time assessment cannot show cause and effect. Telecoms: Millicom has completed its takeover of Movistar’s parent company, rebranding the operator as Tigo. It plans to invest US$2.6 billion over four years; customers are told service changes will be minimal at first. Biodiversity: Colombia and Armenia launched a 17-country coalition to support endangered-species recovery ahead of COP17. A separate project announced alongside it has pledged an initial US$500 million to support 100 species across 30 countries. Colombian Botany: Researchers confirmed Victoria colombiana, a giant water lily found near Inírida after online photos prompted an investigation. Indigenous knowledge and satellite imagery helped locate it; reports suggest only about 50 may remain in the wild. Earthquake Science: A decade-long study found some models reliably described next-day earthquake activity, though they cannot predict the exact time or location of a quake. The findings could help inform preparedness in quake-prone Colombia.

Health Research: A speech-based “clock” tested on 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that speech sounding older than a person’s age was associated with dementia markers. Researchers caution it is not a diagnostic tool. Biodiversity: Scientists identified a new giant water lily, Victoria colombiana, in Guainía after combining botanical research with Indigenous knowledge. Fewer than 50 plants may remain in the wild. Telecoms: Movistar has become Tigo following Millicom’s takeover, with about US$2.6 billion in investment planned over four years. Space: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028. Urban Climate: Medellín’s tree-planting and green-corridor efforts helped cool the city, but rising heat is testing how well they can keep up. AI Education: Colombia and Google are teaming up to train school communities in artificial intelligence.

Health Research: A study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that speech sounding older than a person’s actual age was associated with dementia and older-appearing brain scans. The researchers say the tool is not a diagnosis, and the study cannot establish cause and effect. AI in Education: Colombia and Google are teaming up on AI training for schools, while a separate survey found that two-thirds of Colombian software firms use AI. Space: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028. Biodiversity: Researchers say song, eye color and wing sounds could help establish the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’s Colombian guan as a species unique to the country.

Health Research: A speech-based “clock” tested on 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked older-sounding speech with dementia markers. Researchers stress it is not a diagnostic tool. Colombian Science: Researchers say song, eye color and wing sounds could distinguish the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta’s guan as a species found only in Colombia. AI and Access: Colombia and Google are launching AI training for schools, while a survey found two-thirds of Colombian software firms use AI; meanwhile, 10 million homes lack a computer. Space: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028. Alzheimer’s Trial: A prevention study has assigned its first participant from Colombia’s large family group carrying a rare gene mutation linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Brain Health: A speech-based age tool was linked to dementia and brain-aging markers in a study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians. Researchers caution it cannot diagnose dementia. Alzheimer’s Research: A prevention trial has assigned its first participant from Colombia’s inherited Alzheimer’s community, which includes about 1,200 people carrying a high-risk gene mutation. AI in Colombia: Google is teaming up with Colombia to train school communities in AI, while a survey finds two-thirds of Colombian software firms already use the technology. Space: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A satellite in 2028. Digital Inclusion: About 10 million Colombian homes lack a computer, while a Leticia hackathon recognized an app in five Indigenous languages.

Health Research: A new study of 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech that sounds older than a person’s age with dementia-related markers. Researchers caution the tool is not a diagnostic test. Climate and Health: Colombia led 132 countries in a climate-plan scorecard, earning 29 of 32 points for integrating public health into its commitments. AI Education: Colombia and Google launched a programme to expand AI and digital-skills training for more than 7 million students and teachers. Space Technology: Colombia plans to launch its FACSAT-3A Earth-observation satellite in 2028, with uses including environmental monitoring and disaster response. Digital Access: About 10 million Colombian households lack a computer, a major barrier as AI use grows. Research Careers: A renewed US$25 million COLFUTURO partnership aims to triple the number of professionals funded for postgraduate study abroad, to as many as 3,000 in 2027.

Space Technology: Colombia plans to launch FACSAT-3A in 2028, the first of three satellites intended to support Earth observation, security, environmental monitoring and disaster response. AI and Access: A government-Google programme aims to train more than 7 million students and teachers in AI and digital skills, even as about 10 million Colombian households lack a computer. Health Research: A study of 2,928 Spanish speakers, including Colombians, found that speech patterns associated with older-sounding voices were linked to dementia markers; researchers stress the tool is not a diagnostic test. Amazon Science: A review of wildlife trafficking found Colombian routes help move animals from Brazil’s Amazon to overseas markets, underscoring gaps in cross-border monitoring. Forests: Latin American forest loss fell 33% in 2025, but researchers warn the gains are fragile and could be reversed by political shifts.

Health Research: A speech-analysis tool tested on 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that speech sounding older than a person’s age was linked to dementia markers. The researchers say it cannot diagnose dementia, and the study does not show cause and effect. Local Innovation: An app supporting five Indigenous languages won a hackathon at Colombia 5.0 in Leticia, where about 950 people took part. AI Adoption: A survey found that two-thirds of Colombian software firms use AI, pointing to its growing role in the country’s tech sector. Biodiversity Science: Researchers confirmed Victoria colombiana, a giant waterlily found in the Inírida region, as a new species; only a few dozen plants are thought to remain in the wild. Agricultural Technology: Colombia is seeking Israeli irrigation technology to help farming in La Guajira.

AI Adoption: Two-thirds of Colombia’s software firms now use AI in daily operations, and nearly one-third have adopted AI agents, a Fedesoft survey found. Many cite productivity gains and growth without adding staff. Amazonas Innovation: An app in five Indigenous languages won a hackathon at Colombia 5.0 in Leticia, where about 950 people joined the technology event. Brain Health Research: A study of nearly 2,930 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked speech patterns that suggest older age with markers of cognitive decline. The tool is not a diagnostic test. Medical Robotics: Hospital Internacional de Colombia in Bucaramanga contributed a bridging study for a surgical robot seeking U.S. FDA clearance. Biodiversity: Scientists identified a new giant waterlily species after spotting it in a social media photo from Colombia; fewer than 50 wild plants are reported. Paleontology: Fossils from La Guajira revealed Titanoboa, a snake estimated at up to 15 metres long that lived around 60 million years ago.

Health Research: A speech-based age tool tested on 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, found that older-sounding speech was associated with dementia markers. The study does not show cause and effect, and the tool is not a diagnostic test. Indigenous Tech: About 950 people gathered in Leticia for Colombia 5.0, where a hackathon-winning app in five Indigenous languages aims to boost visibility for local products and connect ventures with government partners. Tech Sector: Colombia’s software and IT services exports topped $2 billion, as local technology leaders face the challenge of sustaining growth. Biodiversity: Scientists identified a new giant water lily species in Colombia after spotting it in an Instagram photo; fewer than 50 wild plants are known. Climate & Farming: Colombia has declared El Niño underway, raising concerns about its effects, while the country is also seeking Israeli irrigation technology to support farming in La Guajira.

Health Tech: A speech-based “aging clock” tested on 2,928 Spanish-speaking adults, including Colombians, linked older-sounding speech with dementia and brain-aging markers. The researchers stress it cannot diagnose dementia or show cause and effect. Colombia’s Tech Sector: Software and IT services exports topped US$2 billion, as Bogotá and Medellín technology leaders face growing demands to build AI-ready engineering teams. Agricultural Innovation: Colombia is seeking Israeli irrigation technology to help boost farming in La Guajira, where water scarcity is a major challenge. Biodiversity Science: Researchers identified Victoria colombiana, a giant waterlily in the upper Orinoco watershed, after spotting it in an Instagram photo; just 30 to 50 plants are estimated to remain in the wild. Cybersecurity: A banking trojan campaign targeting Colombia and other Latin American countries activates its banking-related communications when victims visit selected financial websites, making it harder to detect.