Colombia's ambitious AI strategy responds to the country's previously lagging performance in global AI indices, including the Global AI Index 2022 and Government AI Readiness Index 2023. The new policy aims to close these gaps and harness AI to tackle pressing national challenges such as food security, poverty reduction, and digital transformation. Through this comprehensive approach, the government seeks to boost technological sovereignty, ensuring that AI solutions developed in Colombia align with national priorities and societal needs.
The policy is structured around six strategic pillars: establishing a regulatory framework for responsible and ethical AI use; enhancing data availability and digital infrastructure; strengthening AI-focused research; expanding AI-related education and workforce capabilities; identifying and addressing potential AI risks; and encouraging AI integration across public and private sectors. To implement this vision, the government has outlined 106 specific actions to be executed over the next five years, involving key ministries and agencies.
Colombia has already achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first country to adapt UNESCO's Guidelines for AI Use in Judicial Systems, a framework designed to help judiciaries integrate AI while safeguarding ethics and human rights. This achievement positions Colombia as a global leader in the ethical application of AI in justice systems. The Colombian guidelines go beyond ethical principles like equality, transparency, data protection, and explainability by offering practical guidance on implementing AI ethically across different judicial cases. They differentiate between low-risk applications like drafting emails and higher-risk scenarios such as retrieving case-law information that requires stringent oversight.
The AI market in Colombia is experiencing significant growth, driven by factors such as increasing adoption of digital technologies, rising awareness among consumers, and the convenience of online AI services. This growth trajectory is expected to continue due to advancements in AI robotics, autonomous technology, computer vision, machine learning, natural language processing, and generative AI. The country's pro-business policies and growing startup ecosystem contribute to the market's competitiveness. Colombia's AI development is heavily influenced by macroeconomic factors including technological advancements, government support, and investment in research and development. As a developing country with a growing economy, Colombia has been investing in technology and innovation, creating a favorable environment for AI market growth. Additionally, the country's strategic location and strong ties with global markets have attracted foreign investments and partnerships, further boosting AI industry development.
The AI Ethics Framework represents a turning point in Colombia's approach to AI as one of its first efforts to get ahead of the technology without hindering innovation. The framework proposes principles around privacy and transparency while providing clear guidance on measuring and implementing these principles. This has allowed regulators to have solid ground when making decisions about whether new technologies meet ethical standards, which is the foundation of creating trustworthy AI. Colombia's leadership in developing an ethical AI approach has created a ripple effect throughout Latin America, with countries like Peru, Chile, and Brazil subsequently prioritizing ethics in their own AI national strategies, ensuring that AI ethics remains a priority across the region.