Mexico was one of the first nations in the world to develop an AI strategy which focused on the social impacts of the technology, such as using programmes and algorithms to combat corruption, reduce crime and improve public health.
Chile stands out as one of the more consistent performers in the GTCI and has started making some promising investments. In 2010 the Chilean government created a start-up accelerator that supports entrepreneurs and their tech needs. Businesses receive mentoring, workshops, co-working office space, and access to investors. In return, they are asked to give something back to local society, such as taking part in hackathons or giving talks at universities.
Initiatives like these hint at the region’s potential to become the next AI talent pool. Businesses and governments there are starting to prepare for the Future of Work and thinking more strategically about their place in the world.
However, even though the larger economies in the area are showing AI readiness, only a small number of businesses in Latin America are storing data digitally. There are also still large parts of the region with limited or no internet access.
In the areas that are digitally savvy, Central and Latin America risk losing homegrown talent to Northern American tech companies like Google and Amazon who have already started to recruit and relocate talent out of Latin America with the right skills.
One of the biggest problems that Central and Latin America needs to solve in order to become the next AI hub is retaining its skilled talent and entrepreneurs.
The age of AI poses challenges that countries and regions will have to address head-on. But above all, the technological revolution is about opportunities and governments and companies ready to invest in skills will see the greatest growth.
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