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inteligencia artificial

Santillana’s New Strategy: AI, Growth & €600M Revenue Target by 2029

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor March 3, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

Santillana, the global education company, is placing significant emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) as a core component of its novel strategic plan, according to CEO Alberto Polanco. Polanco, who assumed the role in January, outlined the company’s direction during a Capital Markets Day (CMD) presentation to investors and analysts on March 3, 2026.

Polanco highlighted Santillana’s reach, stating the company currently serves 30 million students and has 3.6 million subscriptions to its educational systems. He emphasized a shift from a traditional focus on teachers and schools to a broader “ecosystem” of education, characterized by increased technological integration and engagement from all stakeholders.

A key initiative unveiled by Polanco is Sumun, an educational tool designed to analyze individual student skills and provide continuous assessment to inform immediate instructional decisions. According to Polanco, Sumun integrates Santillana’s extensive experience, advanced pedagogical and technological innovations, and best practices from leading schools. He stated the tool is designed for schools seeking measurable improvements and results.

Beyond Sumun, Santillana is also promoting Richmond Pro, a comprehensive English language learning solution focused on professional development and employability. The program combines high-quality educational content with AI-powered technology and is backed by an internationally recognized certification that assesses professional linguistic skills. Polanco noted the integration of print and digital content within an AI-driven technological environment develops practical communication skills with measurable results. The company intends to expand Richmond Pro beyond Latin American markets.

Santillana reported 466 million euros in revenue, 120 million euros in EBITDA, and 45 million euros in operating cash flow for 2025. The new strategic plan aims to surpass 4.5 million subscriptions to its teaching systems, generating 600 million euros in total revenue, 175 million euros in EBITDA, and 75 million euros in operating cash flow. The company projects an increase in its EBITDA margin from 25.8% to 29%.

Polanco also highlighted Santillana’s leadership position in the private education market in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, anticipating 475 million euros in revenue and 135 million euros in EBITDA from this sector by 2029. In Brazil, Santillana maintains a 25-30% market share within the Programa Nacional do Livro Didáctico (PNLD), the country’s national textbook program, and forecasts 125 million euros in revenue from Brazil’s public education market by 2029.

Alberto Polanco was unanimously appointed CEO of Santillana by Prisa’s board of administration on December 22, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, succeeding Francisco Cuadrado. He also joined Prisa’s board of directors as a result of the appointment. Polanco previously served as Director General of Santillana Mexico, having led the company’s operations in Colombia, Central America, and Bolivia. He holds a degree in Business Administration and Management from Saint Louis University and completed the PADD (Programa Avanzado Desarrollo Directivo) at the IUP.

March 3, 2026 0 comments

Technology

Chip Shortage: RAMageddon to Drive Up Tech Prices in 2024-2028

by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor February 23, 2026

written by Rachel Kim – Technology Editor

The global technology supply chain is facing a critical shortage of DRAM (Dynamic Random-Access Memory) chips, a situation experts are calling “RAMageddon.” The scarcity, driven by surging demand from artificial intelligence (AI) companies, is poised to significantly increase the cost of electronics ranging from smartphones and laptops to gaming consoles and even automobiles.

The crisis stems from the intense competition for limited DRAM production capacity. Leading AI developers – including those behind ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Amazon Q, and Meta AI – are aggressively securing supplies from the three dominant manufacturers: Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung. These companies are prioritizing contracts with the AI sector, leaving other industries struggling to secure necessary components.

According to recent reports, the price of RAM has already tripled, quadrupled, or even sextupled depending on the specific chip type. This price surge is not expected to be temporary. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan stated in early February that “there will be no relief until 2028,” a forecast supported by Micron, which confirmed that its new Idaho factory won’t be fully operational until mid-2027, with actual production not anticipated until 2028. Samsung plans only a modest 5% increase in wafer supply this year.

The impact on consumers is projected to be substantial. Industry analysis suggests that memory currently represents 15 to 20 percent of the material cost of a mid-range smartphone. A $500 phone could therefore see its price increase to over $2,200, according to estimates. Apple is reportedly bracing for an 80 to 100 percent increase in memory costs this quarter following renegotiations with Samsung and SK Hynix.

The gaming industry is also bracing for significant disruption. Bloomberg reports that the launch of Nintendo’s Switch 2 could be delayed, and the PlayStation 6 from Sony may not arrive until 2028 or 2029. PC manufacturers like Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, and Acer are preparing to raise prices on desktops and laptops by 10 to 30 percent.

The situation is particularly acute because Micron, SK Hynix, and Samsung collectively control approximately 95 percent of the global DRAM supply. The prioritization of AI contracts exacerbates the imbalance, leaving other sectors vulnerable to price hikes and potential production delays.

In Colombia, the impact will be felt primarily in large-scale government and corporate procurement contracts for computers and servers. Alberto Samuel Yohai, president of the Colombian Chamber of Informatics and Telecommunications (CCIT), emphasized the need for collaboration between government entities and suppliers. He suggested adjusting procurement specifications to align with current inventory availability and developing bidding processes that consider the limited supply of specific RAM types.

Yohai stated that entities should operate with suppliers and manufacturers to “construct action plans in their computer equipment purchases that allow them to solve their technology acquisition needs within the framework of a situation of force majeure.”

February 23, 2026 0 comments

Entertainment

AI & Dominican Bachata: Can Algorithms Capture the Soul of Music?

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor February 22, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

The Dominican music industry is navigating a new frontier as artificial intelligence attempts to replicate the nuanced artistry of bachata, a genre deeply rooted in the island nation’s cultural identity. A recent comparative analysis, testing AI’s ability to capture the “amargue” – a bittersweet emotionality central to Dominican bachata – revealed significant challenges in translating cultural feeling into algorithmic composition.

The experiment, which prompted AI models with the command “Bachata de despecho dominicana sobre la dulzura del amargue” (Dominican heartbreak bachata about the sweetness of bitterness), highlighted the difficulty of capturing both lyrical coherence and the specific slang and emotional weight of “amargue dominicano.” Whereas some platforms demonstrate promise, others struggle to move beyond technically proficient vocal delivery to genuine artistic expression.

Suno AI emerged as the most capable platform, successfully generating a bachata track exceeding three minutes in length that respects the genre’s timing and “swing.” Notably, Suno AI was able to replicate the characteristic guitar structure of “amargue” bachata and develop an extended lyrical narrative consistent with the genre’s themes.

In contrast, ElevenLabs, despite offering the most realistic human voice, faltered in its musical construction. The resulting track, while featuring a two-minute heartbreak lyric, lacked the necessary percussive foundation, resembling a contemporary pop ballad rather than authentic bachata. Similarly, Google’s Lyria model, integrated within Gemini, produced high-quality instrumental arrangements but was limited by its extremely short duration – a mere thirty seconds – preventing the development of a fully realized composition.

This experimentation underscores a broader trend within the global technology industry: a race to specialize artificial intelligence in regional musical styles. The challenge lies in replicating the complexity of Latin American folklore, where vocal fidelity alone does not guarantee rhythmic authenticity. The findings suggest that AI developers must choose between prioritizing vocal perfection or achieving a deeper cultural and melodic understanding to produce organic-sounding results.

The emergence of AI-driven Dominican artists is also gaining momentum. Axel de la Cruz, billed as the first virtual Dominican singer created with artificial intelligence, is fusing merengue and bachata with technology to reach new audiences. The project, led by Dominican creatives Daniel Casal and Giordano Landrón, aims to position Dominican genres at the forefront of technological innovation and in the global market. Axel de la Cruz’s debut singles are currently available on major streaming platforms, accompanied by music videos blending real and virtual elements.

Further demonstrating the commercial potential of AI-generated bachata, Zamir La Voz, described as the first fully AI-developed bachata artist, recently signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Dominican record label Two Brothers, led by Disraeli Rodríguez and Juan Ortiz.

The evolution of these tools suggests that the future of music production will depend on the ability of AI models to balance sonic fidelity with the soul of regional rhythms. The industry remains focused on achieving a synthesis of technical prowess and cultural understanding.

February 22, 2026 0 comments

Entertainment

AI-Generated Videos of Stars Spark Copyright Clash in China’s Tech Race

by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor February 21, 2026

written by Julia Evans – Entertainment Editor

A 15-second AI-generated video depicting a fight between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt has triggered a wave of concern in Hollywood, prompting legal action and sparking debate about the future of filmmaking. The video, created using a latest AI tool called Seedance 2.0 developed by Chinese tech company ByteDance, quickly went viral, demonstrating a level of realism that alarmed industry professionals.

The clip, showing the two actors engaged in a rooftop brawl, was created “simply by entering a two-line prompt,” according to Irish filmmaker Ruairi Robinson, who posted it on X (formerly Twitter). The ease with which the video was produced and its convincing quality, led Deadpool & Wolverine screenwriter Rhett Reese to declare on X, “I hate to say it. It’s likely over for us.” He later elaborated, stating that someone with the talent of Christopher Nolan could soon create entire movies indistinguishable from those produced by major studios.

The rapid advancement of AI video generation has prompted immediate responses from Hollywood’s legal and trade organizations. Paramount and Disney sent cease and desist letters to ByteDance, accusing the company of copyright infringement, according to reports. The Motion Picture Association (MPA) and the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA also condemned ByteDance for unauthorized apply of copyrighted American works. ByteDance responded with a statement promising to implement stronger safeguards to protect intellectual property.

Seedance 2.0 is the latest in a series of AI models released by Chinese tech companies, as competition intensifies to dominate the artificial intelligence industry. The Chinese government has prioritized advanced technology as a key component of its national development strategy, showcasing robotics and AI capabilities during recent public events, including the Lunar New Year celebration.

The emergence of this technology has fueled anxieties in the United States, mirroring the “space race” of the 20th century with the Soviet Union. Ramesh Srinivasan, a professor of information studies at UCLA, noted a “fervor” surrounding which nation will lead in AI development.

The tool’s capabilities extend beyond simply creating realistic visuals. A Chinese tech blogger reportedly demonstrated that Seedance 2.0 could generate audio mimicking their voice based solely on an image, raising concerns about deepfakes and privacy. ByteDance subsequently removed this feature and introduced verification requirements for users creating digital avatars, according to Chinese media reports.

Experts suggest that China’s rapid release of new AI iterations may be outpacing its ability to assess and mitigate potential negative consequences. Rogier Creemers, a lecturer at Leiden University specializing in Chinese technology policy, cautioned that more powerful applications inherently carry greater risks, comparing the situation to developing a faster car – increased speed comes with a higher risk of accidents.

Following the backlash, ByteDance stated its commitment to respecting intellectual property rights and strengthening protections against unauthorized use of copyrighted material. The popular Chinese social media app RedNote also responded by requiring AI-generated content to be clearly labeled. These actions coincide with a tightening of regulations surrounding AI-generated content within China itself.

China’s regulations on AI content are among the most stringent globally, owing to its established censorship apparatus. The Cyberspace Administration of China recently announced a crackdown on unlabeled AI-generated content, penalizing over 13,000 accounts and removing hundreds of thousands of posts. Still, enforcement of these regulations has been inconsistent, according to Nick Corvino of ChinaTalk, a newsletter focused on Chinese affairs, due to competition among platforms and incentives to maximize user engagement.

Analysts suggest China is navigating a delicate balance between fostering domestic AI innovation and maintaining control over its application. Whereas strict content controls may hinder development, they could also spur alternative approaches, as demonstrated by the Chinese company DeepSeek, which built a competitive chatbot with a smaller budget.

The situation also highlights the importance of data access for AI model training. Disney recently reached an agreement with OpenAI, granting Sora – a competitor to Seedance 2.0 – access to characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, suggesting that access to high-quality data is a key factor in AI advancement.

February 21, 2026 0 comments