According to the UN website, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean and the National Center for Artificial Intelligence of Chile released the third edition of this pioneering instrument that systematically measures the level of readiness, adoption, and governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 19 countries in the region.

The report adds that eight adopting countries—including Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic—are closing the gap with the leaders thanks to improvements in connectivity, talent, and national strategies.

However, more than a third of the nations evaluated remain in the explorer category, with nascent ecosystems and limited capabilities, reflecting marked intraregional inequalities.

The Index also reveals that Latin America and the Caribbean are showing an adoption of this technology that exceeds its global digital footprint, but faces critical challenges in talent, investment, and governance that threaten its future competitiveness. Among them, a lack of talent, financial resources, and legislation hinder the development of AI in the region.

One of the main concerns of the report is the accelerated flight of specialists and insufficient advanced training in this field, which has widened the talent gap compared to the global average since 2022.

Regarding opportunities for adoption, despite the challenges, the region shows significant dynamism, as Latin America and the Caribbean accounts for 14 percent of global visits to AI solutions, compared to 11 percent of its share of internet users, indicating a higher-than-expected adoption, the report states. The UN website specifies that Latin America is accelerating its AI adoption faster than expected, but faces critical deficiencies.

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