Colombia: Recent Progress in Tech Policy
Columbia
Colombia has been active in addressing the opportunities and risks posed by Artificial Intelligence through various legislative initiatives aimed at ensuring ethical use, protecting workers' rights, and fostering responsible development. Key areas of focus include:
Worker protection in the face of AI’s increasing role in the workplace.
Transparency in the use of generative AI and its applications in economic activities.
Ensuring that AI systems are used responsibly and in compliance with ethical principles.
Below are key legislative bills and government initiatives related to AI.
Senate Bills:
1. Bill 130/2023: Worker Protection and AI in the Workplace
This bill focuses on protecting the rights of workers in the context of AI use in the workplace. It aims to guarantee labor stability and ensure that AI is used appropriately in the management, control, and performance evaluation of workers in both public and private sectors. The bill is designed to prevent the misuse of AI in monitoring employees.
2. Bill 91/2023: Responsible AI Use
This bill regulates the responsible use of AI in Colombia, establishing a framework based on ethical and legal principles to ensure that AI deployment is secure, transparent, and equitable. One of the key provisions is that any entity using generative AI in economic activities must disclose this use in a clear, visible, and identifiable manner.
3. Bill 059/2023: AI, Human Rights, and Development
This bill seeks to align AI development with human rights standards, regulating its use while promoting innovation. It sets clear limits on AI’s use and implementation by both individuals and legal entities to prevent abuses and ensure AI technologies do not violate human rights.
Chamber of Deputies Bills:
1. Draft Bill 154/2024C: Risk-based Classification and AI in Credit Assessment
This bill proposes a risk-based classification for AI systems, categorizing them in unacceptable, high, limited, and null risk levels based on their potential impact. Notably, it prohibits the use of AI in personal credit assessments, addressing concerns about privacy and fairness. The bill also designates the Delegation for Personal Data Protection (within the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce) as the enforcement body to ensure compliance with AI regulations.
2. Bill 130/2023 (Chamber of Deputies)
Similar to its counterpart in the Senate, this bill aims to protect workers' rights in relation to AI and its use in the workplace. It focuses on ensuring job stability and regulating the use of AI in worker control, management, and performance evaluation in both public and private sectors.
3. Bill 91/2023 (Chamber of Deputies)
This bill aligns with the Senate version of Bill 91, emphasizing ethical AI and transparency in its use. It calls for clear disclosures when generative AI is used in economic activities, reinforcing security, transparency, and equality.
4. Bill 200/2023C: Human Rights and AI Regulation
Bill 200/2023C seeks to ensure that AI development and its applications in Colombia comply with human rights standards. It aims to establish limits on the use and implementation of AI, balancing innovation with respect for individual rights and societal well-being.
Government Initiatives:
ColombIA Event: In early August 2024, the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies held the ColombIA event, aimed at fostering proactive and cooperative discussions on the development of Artificial Intelligence in Colombia. The event highlighted the opportunities and risks associated with AI, setting the stage for the country’s participation in the Latin American and Caribbean Ministerial Summit on Artificial Intelligence. Yhe event focused on three primary pillars:
Infrastructure Development: Building the necessary infrastructure to support AI growth.
Human Talent: Investing in the development of skilled professionals to drive AI innovation.
Colombia as a Strategic AI Hub: Positioning the country as a regional leader in AI development and deployment.