Tech & Latin American Policy

Latin America is not immune to the rapid integration of AI into its societies, a transformation that is reshaping environments and highlighting existing inequalities. As AI adoption accelerates, it becomes increasingly important to address how these technologies are being deployed across the region.

This issue is particularly critical for marginalized communities, which often lack access to comprehensive regulatory frameworks and are vulnerable to potential human rights violations. The situation reflects a broader challenge: while many Latin American countries are eager to embrace AI for economic development (as seen in initiatives like Brazil's EBIA and Chile's National Intelligence Policy), they are also confronting significant concerns related to surveillance, algorithmic bias, and the protection of human rights. The absence of comprehensive regulations has led to troubling practices, such as the use of AI-powered surveillance systems to monitor social movements in Brazil.

Key Areas for Action

    • There are growing concerns about how to regulate AI, particularly as it continues to evolve and is increasingly adopted by both governments and the private sector.

    • In several countries, legislation is still stalled, with proposed laws remaining in committees and lacking broader legislative discussion.

    • Policymakers have yet to fully address issues such as technological unemployment, algorithmic bias, and the need for clear accountability measures. Moreover, current regulations often overlook the need for public consent and participation in decisions about how these technologies impact their daily lives.

    • There is also a lack of consistent AI regulation across the region, which presents challenges in creating cohesive, comprehensive oversight.

    • There are growing concerns about the role of AI in key decision-making processes, such as sentencing in the judicial system.

    • AI-powered surveillance systems are being increasingly used to monitor and control social movements.

    • Moreover, biases within AI models are affecting decisions in critical areas such as employment, banking, and insurance, potentially deepening social inequalities.

    • The use of AI for surveillance, especially in underserved communities, presents privacy risks that need careful consideration.

    • There is also a lack of transparency regarding how AI models are developed and applied, alongside declining citizen participation in their creation, which makes it difficult for individuals to understand how their data is being used.

    • It is important to find a balance between promoting economic development through AI adoption and ensuring that the sectors using AI are subject to transparent and effective regulation.

    • Greater investment in research and development (R&D) is needed, as the region currently faces challenges in developing the human capital necessary to manage these advanced technologies.

    • Some countries have introduced AI regulatory sandboxes, which allow for the testing of AI policies in controlled environments. These initiatives have shown promise in helping identify potential weaknesses in regulatory approaches.

A Path Forward

Donors can play a crucial role by supporting civil society organizations that are conducting important research on the impacts of unregulated AI in sectors like banking, social services, and employment. Funding local think tanks and academic institutions that provide evidence-based research will help ensure that policymaking is informed by a deeper understanding of AI’s effects.

Additionally, directing funds toward R&D in local universities and public interest associations will help these institutions develop, test, and implement regulatory sandboxes in collaboration with government agencies. This will help ensure that both public and private sectors can navigate AI regulation more effectively.

Finally, investment in education, particularly in underdeveloped countries, is key to addressing the broader challenges the region faces. Providing technical assistance and funding will help build the capacity necessary to manage AI technologies and ensure they are deployed in ways that protect human rights and promote equity.

  • Asociación por los Derechos Civiles (ADC) is an Argentine non-governmental organization (NGO) that focuses on defending civil liberties and human rights in Argentina, particularly in relation to privacy, freedom of expression, data protection, and the regulation of new technologies. ADC has been actively involved in discussions and advocacy related to Artificial Intelligence, particularly concerning the impact of AI on privacy, data protection, and human rights. One of the areas where ADC has been particularly vocal is in the use of AI for surveillance purposes. They have raised concerns about how AI technologies, such as facial recognition, could be used for mass surveillance, potentially infringing on civil liberties and privacy rights.

    Email adc@adc.org.ar to discuss the impact your gift could have.

    • Argentina's first and most prominent fact-checking organization, founded in 2010

    • Known for pioneering automated fact-checking tools and educational programs

    • Collaborates with major news organizations across Latin America

    • Brazil's first fact-checking agency, established in 2015

    • Partners with Facebook's Third-Party Fact-Checking Program

    • Provides fact-checking training for journalists and students

  • Derechos Digitales is a Latin American, independent, non-profit organization, founded in 2005 with the primary goal of developing, defending, and promoting human rights in the digital environment. Derechos Digitales is a critical voice in the AI debate in Chile and across Latin America. The organization’s work focuses on ensuring that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a way that protects individual rights, including privacy, freedom of expression, and non-discrimination.

    Email prensa@derechosdigitales.org to discuss the impact your gift could have.

  • Fundación Karisma is a non-profit organization based in Bogotá, Colombia, that seeks to respond to opportunities and threats that arise from the "technology for development" for the exercise of human rights.

    Visit https://karisma.org.co or email giving@humanetech.com to learn more.

    • Part of Consejo de Redacción, a Colombian journalists' organization

    • Focuses on political claims and public discourse

    •  Runs educational programs to promote digital literacy

    • Known for rigorous political fact-checking and power structure analysis

    • Maintains "Detector de Mentiras" (Lie Detector) section

    • Monitors press freedom and verifies attacks on journalists

    • Runs fact-checking initiatives to combat disinformation

    • Protects journalists legally and by publishing their work anonymously.

    • Operated by Animal Político, an independent news outlet

    • Known for fact-checking political statements and public policy claims

    • Uses a detailed rating system to evaluate claims

  • The City of Knowledge is a government-affiliated foundation in Panama that operates a knowledge and innovation hub. It's located in the former Clayton military base in Panama City and serves as a campus that brings together academic institutions, technology companies, and innovation initiatives. They have hosted various AI-focused events and workshops with embassies from Israel and the US. The campus provides space for tech startups and companies working with AI, currently they have 2 initiatives that are using AI. They've partnered with educational institutions for AI-related training programs.

    Email comunicaciones@cdspanama.org to discuss the impact your gift could have.

  • A Panamanian civil society organization focused on digital rights and new technologies. It works on digital privacy, data protection, and technology policy issues. They have been involved in discussions about technology regulation in Panama. They alsi monitor digital rights in Panama and Central America.

    Visti https://www.ipandetec.org or email giving@humanetech.com to learn more.

  • A Public Interest Association, that focuses on technological development and research with applied purposes, but without excluding the possibilities of basic research projects, technological improvements and situation analysis. They work as a public-private research institution within the National Secretariat of Science and Technology and the Technological University of Panama.

    Email info@indicatic.org.pa to discuss the impact your gift could have.

    • Specializes in health-related fact-checking across Latin America

    • Particularly active during the COVID-19 pandemic

    • Collaborates with healthcare professionals and scientists

    • Collaborative project involving multiple media organizations

    • Focuses on combating misinformation during electoral periods

    • Known for innovative use of social media in fact-checking

    • Investigative journalism platform with fact-checking division

    • Focuses on corruption and governmental claims

    • Persecuted by the Maduro regime

Organizations Working Towards Progress

Student Testimonials and Country-Specific Information