EXPERT COLUMN

BEN LEICH CXO Cyber Connections and Digital Content Manager, Intelligent Global Media

Brazil has become one of the world’ s most active markets for enterprise AI, with banks, retailers and public‐sector agencies rolling out automation and generative‐AI pilots at speed. Mexico’ s manufacturing and logistics sectors are using AI to optimise supply chains and reduce operational costs. Colombia and Chile are seeing rapid uptake in healthcare AI, from diagnostics to patient‐flow management. Even smaller markets( Peru, Uruguay and Costa Rica) are positioning themselves as AI‐friendly hubs for nearshore development.

The governance gap

However, while AI adoption is accelerating, regulation is not. Brazil has made progress with its draft AI bill, but it’ s still evolving. Chile is debating its own approach. Mexico has no comprehensive AI governance framework at all. Across the region, policies are fragmented, inconsistent or still in early consultation phases.

This mismatch creates a risk. AI is being deployed in critical sectors without clear rules on accountability, transparency, bias mitigation or data protection. Many organisations are relying on internal ethics guidelines or vendor promises, which is fine until something goes wrong. And with AI systems increasingly making decisions rather than simply supporting them, the stakes are rising quickly.

LATAM’ s unique position

LATAM’ s digital landscape has unique characteristics that amplify the risk of ungoverned AI. The region has high social‐media usage, uneven digital literacy and a long‐standing challenge with misinformation. It has some of the world’ s most ambitious fintech ecosystems, but also some of the highest fraud rates. AI can help solve many of these issues; but without guardrails, it can just as easily make them worse.

LATAM doesn’ t need to copy Europe’ s heavy regulatory model or the US’ s fragmented one. It can build something that fits its own context: practical, interoperable and focused on real‐world risks. This requires coordination. If each country builds its own AI rules in isolation, the region will end up with a patchwork that slows innovation and complicates cross‐border digital trade. Brazil’ s leadership on data protection shows what’ s possible when a LATAM country sets a strong standard. AI needs the same clarity.

LATAM’ s AI boom is exciting, overdue and full of potential, but momentum without governance is a gamble. The region has a chance to shape AI in a way that supports growth, protects citizens and builds trust if it recognises that adoption and oversight must evolve together. •

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INTELLIGENT CIO LATAM www. intelligentcio. com