{"id":29925,"date":"2022-03-22T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-22T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oecd-opsi.org\/?post_type=publication&p=29925"},"modified":"2023-01-31T17:04:07","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T16:04:07","slug":"ai-lac","status":"publish","type":"publication","link":"https:\/\/oecd-opsi.org\/publications\/ai-lac\/","title":{"rendered":"The Strategic and Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector of Latin America and the Caribbean"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Executive summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Note: This report was a collaboration among OPSI, the OECD Digital Government and Data Unit<\/a>, and CAF<\/a>, Development Bank of Latin America.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping economies, promising to generate productivity gains, improve efficiency and lower costs. Governments hold a unique position in relation to AI, determining national strategic priorities, public investments and regulations. Governments have also acknowledged the importance and future potential of AI in many economic sectors, with more than 60 countries developing national AI strategies. Recognising that issues relevant to AI transcend borders, countries are also increasingly adopting regional approaches to AI, including co-ordinated efforts in the European Union (EU) and the African Union, among Nordic-Baltic states and Arab nations, and within the G7 and the G20. The OECD has also strengthened its AI-related efforts in recent years, spearheaded by the OECD.AI Policy Observatory<\/a>. Indeed, the OECD AI Principles<\/a> adopted in 2019 are the first intergovernmental standards on AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like governments elsewhere, those in the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region are seeking to tap into the immense potential of AI in a strategic and trustworthy manner. Seven LAC countries have developed, or are developing, a national AI strategy (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay), and seven have adhered to the OECD AI Principles (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The importance of adopting AI in the public sector is recognised in the majority of national AI strategies. In fact, governments are increasingly using AI for public sector innovation and transformation, redefining how they design and deliver policies and services. This report, conducted by the OECD in collaboration with CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, reviews the strategic and responsible use of AI by the public sector in the LAC region.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Key findings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the LAC region, all seven countries with a national AI strategy either have a strategy in place for AI in the public sector, or a dedicated focus within their broader strategy. These strategies tend to focus on key themes, including ethics, AI governance, AI adoption, cross-sector collaboration and procurement, skills and capacities, data and technical infrastructure. These represent a significant step forward but vary in terms of action items and enablers to help drive progress. While all have specified actions and objectives and most have measurable goals, the majority of strategies lack time frames, funding mechanisms and monitoring instruments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LAC countries are also experimenting with AI in the public sector for different uses, including COVID-19 response, improving government efficiency and decision making, enhancing relationships with and services for citizens and businesses, increasing public safety and security, strengthening public sector integrity and accountability, and enhancing education systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to applying the OECD AI Principles, the OECD has identified a number of key factors critical for reaping the benefits of AI in the public sector while mitigating risks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n