Student Testimonial

Dear Donor,

My name is Juan Menéndez, and I am a second-year Master’s student in International Development at Georgetown University and the President of the Latin America and the Caribbean Policy Association (LAPA). My academic and professional focus lies at the intersection of governance, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development.

Growing up in Argentina, I witnessed firsthand the struggles of a government trying to modernize its public systems amidst scarce resources, political turbulence, and limited technological regulation. One experience that profoundly shaped my understanding of this issue was the implementation of a live facial recognition system in Buenos Aires. While initially promising as a tool for security, the system’s discriminatory biases and unauthorized usage revealed the dangers of deploying powerful technologies without proper legal safeguards. This personal encounter ignited my passion for advocating for ethical AI adoption in Latin America.

This issue extends far beyond Buenos Aires. Across the developing world, and particularly in Latin America, biometric data is becoming increasingly entwined with artificial intelligence, creating opportunities but also amplifying risks. Surveillance, discriminatory biases, data privacy breaches, and unchecked foreign influence are major concerns. Recent examples, such as São Paulo’s unauthorized use of passenger data for targeted advertising and Brazil’s record-breaking personal data breach, highlight the vulnerabilities in the region. These gaps not only threaten individual rights but also undermine public trust and governance.

Fortunately, initiatives like AI Sur are stepping up to address these challenges. By mapping AI and biometric deployments in the region, they are shedding light on the risks of unchecked experimentation and fostering international conversations on regulatory frameworks. Argentina, too, has begun laying a foundation for AI governance, with notable legislative activity and a growing consensus on the need for tailored regulations. However, these efforts are still nascent, and the lack of binding laws means much work remains to be done.

This is why your support is so critical. With your help, we can advance efforts to develop robust, human-centered solutions for AI and biometrics in Argentina and across the region. Whether through funding research, supporting advocacy, or fostering public awareness campaigns, your contribution would help catalyze meaningful progress toward ensuring that technological advancements serve the public good while safeguarding individual rights.

Thank you for considering this urgent matter and for your generosity. Your support can make a transformative impact as we work to balance innovation with equity and accountability.

Warm regards,

Juan M. Menéndez

Master’s Candidate, International Development

President, Latin America and the Caribbean Policy Association

McCourt School of Public Policy, Georgetown University