Fostering AI Collaboration: EU and Latin America Forge a Path to Innovation
A recent policy dialog in São Paulo brought together representatives from the European union and governments across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to accelerate collaboration in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The initiative,supported by key organizations including the International Research Center for Artificial Intelligence under the auspices of UNESCO (IRCAI),the German Advancement Agency (GIZ),the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC),and the Brazilian Network Details Centre (Nic.br), signals a growing commitment to responsible AI development and deployment in the region.
the dialogue commenced with opening remarks from Hugo Valadares, Director of science, technology and Digital Innovation (MCTI) of Brazil, and Jean-Pierre Bou, Chargés d’affaires ad interim of the EU Delegation to Brazil.A keynote address by Juha Heikkilä, Adviser for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the European AI Office, highlighted the groundbreaking EU AI Act – a landmark piece of legislation aiming to establish a thorough legal framework for AI – and Europe’s ambition to become a global hub for AI innovation, envisioned as an “AI Continent.”
Embracing Responsible AI: A Global Commitment
A central theme of the meeting was the promotion of responsible AI practices. The Hamburg Declaration on responsible Use of AI for the SDGs was presented, advocating for the ethical and sustainable application of AI to achieve the United Nations’ sustainable Development Goals. Both Slovenia and Brazil formally endorsed the Declaration, urging other LAC nations to join in this crucial commitment. As of late 2023, over 70 countries and organizations have signaled support for the Hamburg Declaration, demonstrating a growing global consensus on the need for ethical AI governance.
Discussions centered on identifying and advancing collaborative projects in three key areas: bolstering High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, developing large Language Models (LLMs) tailored for the region, and strengthening data protection frameworks for AI applications. Furthermore, participants exchanged insights and best practices concerning the governance of online platforms, a critical aspect of ensuring a safe and equitable digital surroundings.
Building the Foundation: HPC Capacity in EU and LAC
Recognizing that robust computational power is essential to AI research and innovation, the dialogue underscored the importance of expanding HPC capabilities. Europe currently boasts a significant advantage,with ten supercomputers contributing to its overall capacity. Within LAC, Brazil leads the way, currently operating eight supercomputers listed in the Top500 – a globally recognized ranking of the world’s moast powerful computer systems. Mexico also maintains a notable presence, and Argentina has recently joined the list, indicating a growing regional investment in HPC.To further accelerate progress, the EU and LAC are collaborating to establish a bi-regional High Performance Computing Network, backed by an initial investment of €3 million. This network aims to facilitate data sharing, collaborative research, and the development of cutting-edge AI solutions.
leveraging Connectivity: The BELLA Cable and Digital Alliance
The initiative is significantly bolstered by the high-speed, transatlantic BELLA cable, which directly connects Europe and LAC, extending its reach to most LAC countries through terrestrial networks. This crucial infrastructure, managed by the EU-LAC Digital Alliance in partnership with RedClara, a regional research network, forms a cornerstone of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. The BELLA cable has already enabled the creation of an HPC testbed,providing a secure and controlled environment for LAC researchers to conduct complex simulations,analyze large datasets,and test advanced processing models. This testbed is particularly valuable for applications like climate modeling,drug revelation,and precision agriculture,areas where LAC faces unique challenges and opportunities.
Tailoring AI to Local Needs: LLMs for Latin America and the Caribbean
The dialogue also included a visit to the Centre of AI and Machine Learning at the University of São Paulo (USP), focusing on the potential of Large Language Models (llms).The discussion highlighted the need to develop LLMs specifically trained on data reflecting the linguistic diversity and cultural nuances of Latin America and the Caribbean.
Currently, many commercially available LLMs are predominantly trained on English-language data, leading to biases and limitations when applied to other languages and contexts. Such as, a model trained primarily on North American english might struggle to accurately interpret idioms or slang common in Brazilian Portuguese or Caribbean Creole. Developing region-specific LLMs will be crucial for applications such as automated translation, content creation, and customer service, ensuring that AI technologies are truly accessible and relevant to the people of LAC. This localized approach will also foster innovation in areas like indigenous language preservation and culturally sensitive healthcare applications.
Forging a Digital Future: EU-LAC collaboration on AI Governance and Technological Sovereignty
Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations are demonstrating a powerful commitment to establishing technological sovereignty and developing AI solutions specifically tailored to address the region’s unique challenges. This ambition mirrors the European Union’s own goals, and the EU stands ready as a dependable partner to help LAC leverage the transformative potential of responsible and ethical Artificial Intelligence. A collaborative approach between the EU and LAC offers a pathway to leading the global conversation around AI development and governance.
The Rise of Regional AI Initiatives
Recent discussions highlight a growing consensus within LAC regarding the necessity for increased synergy and coordination among the various multilateral organizations currently focused on advancing AI within the region. Rather than fragmented efforts, a stronger integration of existing agendas – including the EU-LAC Digital Alliance, the UNESCO-CAF Montevideo Declaration, and ECLAC’s eLAC 2026 initiative – is crucial.
As an example, Costa Rica’s Vice Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Orlando Vega, showcased the OECD Toolkit for AI in Emerging Economies. This toolkit, a collaborative regional project supported by the EU and other international partners under the umbrella of the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), provides a framework for responsible AI development in emerging economies. This is particularly relevant given that AI adoption in Latin America is projected to contribute an estimated $330 billion to the region’s GDP by 2030, according to a recent report by McKinsey.
National Strategies and Data Protection in the AI Era
Several LAC nations are actively formulating national AI strategies and drafting legislative frameworks.Brazil and Chile,for example,are pioneering efforts to regulate AI,viewing this process as a key component of asserting their national technological independence. This reflects a broader global trend; a 2024 study by the Brookings Institution found that over 70 countries are currently considering or have adopted national AI strategies.
A critical aspect of responsible AI deployment is safeguarding citizen privacy. Discussions involving Waldemar Gonçalves, President and Director of Brazil’s National Data Protection Authority (ANPD), alongside representatives from Uruguay’s (URCDP) and Spain’s (AEPD) data protection authorities, centered on the vital role of data protection authorities in overseeing AI systems that process personal data. This oversight is paramount,especially as AI-powered applications become increasingly integrated into areas like healthcare,finance,and public services.
EU-LAC Digital Alliance: A Blueprint for Global Partnerships
the recent Policy Dialogue in Sao Paulo represents a significant step forward in implementing the EU-LAC Digital Alliance roadmap for bi-regional cooperation.This collaboration is actively preparing a joint regional agenda in anticipation of the CELAC-EU Summit, scheduled for Santa Marta, colombia, on November 9-10, 2025.
The EU’s recently unveiled EU International Digital Strategy emphasizes the importance of strengthening and expanding partnerships to drive economic competitiveness through technological sovereignty. The EU-LAC Digital Alliance serves as a practical, action-oriented model for this cooperation, and its success can inform similar partnerships with other regions worldwide.
Moreover, the Alliance aligns with the objectives of the Global Gateway Investment Agenda. Participants at the EU-LAC Digital Alliance days in Colombia in November 2023 recognized that enhanced collaboration on digital initiatives can bolster strategic autonomy and foster economic growth for both regions. This includes exploring joint ventures in areas like 5G infrastructure, cloud computing, and cybersecurity – sectors where combined expertise can yield significant benefits.
Strengthening Digital Ties: The EU’s Collaborative approach with Latin America and the Caribbean
In July 2023,a significant commitment to enhanced digital cooperation was formalized through a Global Gateway strategy. This initiative represents a comprehensive plan to foster sustainable and resilient infrastructure, focusing on key sectors like digital technologies, renewable energy, and transportation. Beyond infrastructure, Global Gateway also prioritizes strengthening crucial social systems including healthcare, education, and research.
Global Gateway operates on a “Team Europe” model, uniting the European Union, its individual Member States, and leading European financial institutions. This collaborative framework aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in combined public and private investment between 2021 and 2027. The core principle guiding these investments is to establish genuine partnerships – creating opportunities rather than fostering reliance – and to bridge the existing global investment divide. Such as, funding could support the development of secure 5G networks in underserved regions or facilitate the adoption of digital tools for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
fostering Dialogue and Collaboration: The EU-LAC AI and Platform Governance Dialogue
Recent high-level policy discussions between the EU and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) nations demonstrate a concrete commitment to this collaborative approach.A pivotal dialogue on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the governance of online platforms,held in São Paulo,Brazil,brought together approximately 115 participants representing 31 countries.This included portrayal from:
21 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean: Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Republic of Suriname, trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
One overseas territory: Sint Maarten (subject to confirmation).
* 12 EU Member States: malta, and others.
These dialogues are crucial for aligning policies and best practices, ensuring a responsible and inclusive digital transition for all involved. They provide a platform to address shared challenges, such as data privacy, cybersecurity, and the ethical implications of AI, and to explore opportunities for joint innovation and economic growth.