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Artificial intelligence regulation in Latin America: Towards people-centred governance grounded in democratic principles and a forward-looking vision

September 15, 2026 | Activity

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The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is presenting parliaments with decisions that are difficult to delay, even as the technology, its applications and its risks continue to evolve. For Latin American parliaments, the challenge is not simply to regulate, but to define what kind of AI governance reflects the region’s realities, protects rights, and, at the same time, creates conditions conducive to innovation and development.

This question was at the heart of the virtual meeting Artificial Intelligence Regulation in Latin America: Where We Stand and Where We Are Headed, organized on September 15, 2026, by ParlAmericas and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), in the framework of the Third Regional Conference of Parliamentary Committees of the Future in Latin America and the Caribbean, and on the occasion of the International Day of Democracy. The dialogue brought together parliamentarians, experts, and representatives of international organizations to examine the state of AI regulation worldwide, preliminary lessons learned, and the debates and perspectives shaping the regional legislative agenda.

During the meeting, participants highlighted the need to establish people-centred regulatory frameworks with clear rules that foster innovation without deepening inequalities. They emphasized that the development and use of AI should consider not only the protection of rights, but also how it impacts democratic principles and pillars, promoting AI systems that contribute to more transparent, inclusive, and participatory societies that respect pluralism and the rule of law.

Esther Kuisch Laroche, UNESCO Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Dr. Juan David Gutiérrez, Associate Professor at the University of the Andes, offered analysis of the regulatory frameworks and international standards shaping AI governance. Their contributions shed further light on a central question for legislatures: how to translate principles such as transparency, accountability, risk management, and non-discrimination into obligations, safeguards, and institutional mechanisms that can work across diverse national contexts.

The discussion also took a forward-looking perspective. Dr. Carolina Santacruz, Senior Science Officer at the International Science Council, stressed that regulation should not be limited to responding to known risks. It is essential to build institutional capacity to anticipate scientific and technological transformations, as well as their future impacts on the environment, work, education, and national sovereignty, among other areas. This perspective is especially relevant in the current context of AI’s rapid development. Accordingly, the dialogue called for consideration of both the immediate effects of these technologies and their possible future implications for the region’s societies and economies. The meeting also highlighted the work of parliaments that have established parliamentary committees on the future, science, technology, and innovation as institutional spaces to integrate a future-oriented lens. 

In a dialogue moderated by Senator Gustavo Lara of the Dominican Republic, member of the ParlAmericas Council, parliamentarians from Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, El Salvador, Panama and Paraguay shared progress and lessons learned from their respective legislative processes. The exchange underscored that the regulatory challenge extends beyond the content of laws: it also requires institutions capable of implementing, overseeing and updating rules, coordinating the relevant authorities, and responding to technologies that can evolve at a rate that quickly outpaces traditional legislative timelines.

For Chilean Senator Iván Flores García, President of ParlAmericas, this debate also requires reflection on Latin America’s role in shaping these rules. He noted that the region cannot limit itself to adopting regulatory frameworks developed in other contexts; it must also help define them based on its own experiences, priorities, and capacities.

The meeting continued the work of the ParlAmericas Digital Caucus and ECLAC to strengthen legislative capacities and consolidate a regional and forward-looking perspective on technological transformation.

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  • Esther Kuisch speaks during a video conference, wearing a gray blazer with a blurred background.
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This activity was made possible with the support of the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.