It is never exhausting to contribute with love and dedication to science, and to the development and well-being of society. On the contrary, Dr. C. Yailé Caballero Mota, expert in Artificial Intelligence and Director of International Relations of the University of Camagüey (UC) Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz, assures that doing research is a dose of happiness and professional fulfillment.

Caballero Mota, Full Member of the Academy of Sciences of Cuba (ACC) and president of its Camagüey-Ciego de Ávila branch, has receive multiple awards for her extensive scientific work. The most remarkable one was being selected as a member of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), an autonomous international organization founded in 1983 in Italy by a distinguished group of scientists.

"Being part of The World Academy of Sciences is a huge challenge. It is an opportunity to represent my country in the international scientific community, a commitment to put the name of Cuban science on high regard, and to show the role of women in the development of society".

For more than two decades this woman from Camagüey has been leading the Scientific Group of AI of the UC, which has strong alliances with institutions such as the Central University Marta Abreu de Las Villas, the CUJAE, the ACC and several hospitals in the country; as well as an excellent relation and participation in international projects with Belgium, Spain, China, Mexico, and other nations.

—What are some of the most recent research results that have had an impact on the country and society?

—We have worked on smart applications that give solutions to real problems in various areas such as Meteorology, Civil Engineering, Biotechnology, tourism development, health, food production, education, and efficient energy management, among others.

"In health, for example, we have developed applications for acquiring knowledge on the mortality of Covid-19, for acquiring knowledge about Ataxia; we have developed ranking algorithms to predict the presence of Mediastinitis, to predict the mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease, and the survival study of the risk of cardiorespiratory arrest.

"However, right now, my greatest commitment at a scientific and professional level is the project to create the International Institute for Artificial Intelligence Research at the Hebei International Studies University, in the People's Republic of China. I have the great responsibility of leading this project as part of the leadership of the UC, and with the participation of several Cuban universities, and the support and monitoring of the top management of the country. The Institute, already built in China, consists of several research laboratories: Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Internet of Things, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, and Software Development".

Caballero Mota also manages the project "Strategy for the Development of Artificial Intelligence in Cuba" of the Sectorial Program for the Cuban software industry and informatization of society, with the participation of other universities and institutions, the MES, and the Ministry of Communications.

"The objective of this project is to design a strategy and implementation for some of its actions, to make AI a high-impact technology in the digital transformation of Cuban society, through excellent and innovative management. AI’s use, innovation, scientific production, and generation of exportable software products and services will place our nation in high regard at a global level."

—What awakened the love for research in you?

—In middle school, I was part of several activity groups that awakened my curiosity for doing research. I liked mathematics since I was a little girl. I used to say that I wanted to study cybernetics, and that dream became true at the UCLV. While pursuing my degree there, I realized that I was passionate about doing research, and that Artificial Intelligence would be an important aspect in my life.

"In second year, I joined the student scientific group of AI. I was fascinated with a project that the Faculty had with the Sleep Clinic at the International Center for Neurological Restoration. It was through this project that I was able to develop my thesis on the automatic construction of rules for the classification of the different stages of sleep. I fell in love with this project. I devoted a lot of time to it. And my first publications in the international scientific community were due to this project.

"The further away from my domain a problem application area seems to be, the more interesting it is. I've had to learn a bit about weather forecasting, biotechnology, civil engineering, the human brain, medical diagnostics, water quality, agriculture ... Each learning process is a very satisfying challenge.

"I like to bet on Artificial Intelligence because it is very comforting to solve a real problem with smart techniques, and to see the results. But I also enjoy very much to work with teams formed by students, master’s students, PhD students, PhDs, where each one is essential to achieve success. What counts is the desire and commitment to work, so that we all can say "We did it!

—Cuban science shows its leading role at the highest level. How do you value the scientific work of our country?

—Cuban science deserves all the ovations. Our country is facing a difficult economic situation and a strong blockade. However, we have more than 30 years of experience having scientific results, developing technologies, and creating new products. We have international visibility and recognition by important academic and scientific sectors, as well as by the most important specialized journals in the world.

“Today, we can proudly say that we owe a fundamental part of Cuban science’s success to Fidel's leadership and strategic vision. Cuban academics are driven by the principle that our science is for the development and benefit of society".

Translated by Claudia Quesada (3^rd Year Student of English Language Degree°

Reviewed by Linet Acuña Quilez