AMALIA: multimodal version launched on 1 July

Portugal is entering a new phase in artificial intelligence with the development of AMALIA (the Automatic Multimodal Language Assistant with Artificial Intelligence), the country's first large language model designed specifically for European Portuguese and its cultural context.

 

After the base version was presented in September 2025, the final version of the system was launched on 1 July 2026. The project's teams already view AMALIA as a future benchmark for European Portuguese, emphasising its blend of technical performance, computational efficiency, and affordability.

 

So, what is AMALIA, and why could it be so important for Portugal?

AMALIA is one of the most ambitious technology initiatives ever developed in Portugal in the field of artificial intelligence. Its goal goes beyond creating a model capable of understanding and generating text in European Portuguese. It is also intended to strengthen the country's digital sovereignty in a sector currently dominated by major international technology platforms.

By developing an AI infrastructure based on Portuguese linguistic and cultural data, the project aims to reduce reliance on external sources and create technology that better reflects the country's institutional, academic, and business landscape. The project’s name is a tribute to Amália Rodrigues, a symbol of Portuguese culture and one of the country’s most internationally renowned figures.

 

A multimodal AI for text, voice, images and videos.

The final version of AMALIA was launched with multimodal capabilities, enabling it to interpret and process various types of information.

• Text
• Voice
• Images
• Video

 

This development opens the door to a much wider range of applications, including conversational assistants, tools for document analysis and audiovisual content interpretation, and decision-making support tools.

 

The model is being trained using large volumes of digitised European Portuguese content, while also incorporating structured knowledge. It is currently being optimised to improve its understanding of instructions, context and natural language.

 

The system is being made available free of charge on an open basis, allowing public bodies, businesses, universities, research centres and citizens to use it.

 

Who is behind the project?

AMALIA is being developed by around 60 researchers from some of Portugal’s leading scientific institutions. Academic partners include:

• NOVA FCT
• Instituto Superior Técnico
• The University of Coimbra
• University of Minho
• University of Porto
• University of Beira Interior
• University of Évora

 

The project also involves PhD and Master's researchers. The Foundation for Science and Technology is leading the scientific coordination, while the Agency for Technological Reform of the State is coordinating the integration with Public Administration.

 

Where could it be used?

The first major planned area of application for AMALIA is public administration. Use cases that are already being explored include:

- Digital assistants for public services and the gov.pt portal;
- Support for scientific research through the IAedu platform;
- Automated analysis of technical and administrative documentation;
- Teaching and academic tools in university settings;
- Application development by businesses and technology start-ups.

 

As an open-source project, AMALIA could also provide a foundation for new solutions developed by civil society, accelerating innovation across multiple sectors.

 

It could become a milestone for technology developed in Portugal, not only as a language model, but also as strategic infrastructure for the digital transformation of the state, science, and the Portuguese economy.