Mexico’s Bet on Artificial Intelligence

Like all countries, Mexico could greatly benefit from artificial intelligence (AI). KPMG expects more than half of Mexican companies will be using AI within three years. For now, however, progress is slow.

The Mexican AI ecosystem has invested in digital infrastructure and talent, but it still lacks a national vision and strategy for AI. As a result, other countries are leapfrogging Mexico; Mexico’s position in the Oxford Insight AI Government Readiness Index fell from 22nd in 2018 to 68th last year. Even so, efforts to develop a national AI strategy are stalled.

But there are reasons for the optimistic projections about AI in Mexico. Indeed, even absent a national strategy, groups of experts have been developing a vision and policy recommendations to accelerate the responsible development and deployment of AI technologies in Latin America’s second-biggest economy.

Former Mexico City Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed interest in technology and innovation to renew the government’s interest in the field.

Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed interest in technology and innovation to renew the government’s interest in the field.”

She will no doubt hear a great deal about the promise of AI, including for Mexico’s agriculture, health, and financial sectors–the priority industries for a new collaboration between the Eon Institute and the Wilson Center on the economic potential of AI in Mexico and the subject of a recent conference in Mexico City hosted by the two organizations.

Today, Mexico’s agriculture industry is poorly positioned to benefit from AI. There is limited information about the sector’s needs, little workforce training, inadequate digitalization and infrastructure, and insufficient government support. But the opportunities are clear and the agricultural sector is eager to explore uses of AI technologies.

The country’s health system faces different challenges in adopting AI, including concerns about privacy and bias. As a result, even health institutions bullish on AI are reluctant to move forward absent clear guidance on regulations. Mexico’s financial sector was expected to move faster, but it too has fallen short of expectations. Industry analysts are already warning of an “AI bubble,” with high expectations for productivity increases but stubbornly low AI adoption rates.

None of this is all that surprising, given the newness of the technology and the Mexican government’s approach, slow out of the gate. But given widespread interest in AI and the efforts spearheaded by civil society and industry, there is no doubt AI will one day live up to its promise for the Mexican economy.