Latin America stands out globally for its high level of AI optimism. According to the Google and Ipsos “Our Life with AI” report, tension in Mexico (69%), Brazil (61%) and Argentina (58%) significantly exceeds tension in the Global North.
This optimism is being translated into action as artificial intelligence is already tackling some of Latin America’s most complex challenges, including making governments more efficient and effective. We see this in Brazil, where the federal tax authority is using Gemini on Google Cloud to automate baggage screening at Guarulhos Airport, freeing officers to focus on high-risk cases; and in Mexico, where the Auditoría Superior de la Federación (ASF) used Google’s AI tools to reduce audit time from 10 months to mere minutes.
Today, during the World Bank and IDB Spring Meetings in Washington, DC, we are sharing three new initiatives, developed in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), to help advance AI adoption and digital transformation across Latin America.
Leading the way with data
To help governments navigate the complexities of AI adoption, Google has commissioned “AI Works for Spanish Speaking Latin America,” a new AI Sprinters report with Foresight consulting firm. According to this research, strategic and responsible adoption of artificial intelligence could add between 3.6% and 6.7% to the region’s GDP – a potential impact of up to $242 billion each and every year. That’s enough to cover the continent’s annual infrastructure investment gap (according to the IDB), or half of total public health spending in the region. This new report is designed to serve as a practical guide for policymakers on how to responsibly implement AI to promote economic growth and improve social services. To achieve this, the report highlights four essential pillars:
- Talent: Training the workforce and modernizing education to prepare for an AI-powered economy.
- Infrastructure: Expanding cloud capacity and high-speed connectivity to drive local innovation.
- Technological innovation: Incorporating new technology into existing industries, including supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in their transition to artificial intelligence and fostering closer collaboration between academia and the private sector.
- Activation Policies: Creating national AI strategies and evidence-based regulations that address specific risks without hindering local innovation.
Education for an AI-ready public sector
To seize the AI opportunity, nations will need to equip public servants with new skills. To help governments do that, IDB and Apolitical are launching a new AI Academy on the ImplementaLAC platform. Powered by content from the Government AI Campus (built with Google’s support), the academy will offer free AI training for government officials in Spanish, Portuguese and English (among other languages), helping them harness the power of AI to better serve their communities.
Investment in a strong digital foundation
We’re also announcing $5 million in support from Google.org to the global nonprofit foundation Co-Develop. This funding will help governments adopt proven, shared digital public infrastructure (DPI) such as digital ID and payment systems. This technology is designed to be easily reused, saving nations from building expensive, custom software from scratch. A key example is the partnership with IDB to scale IdLAC, a secure digital identity system across 12 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This system ensures that digital IDs are recognized across continental borders. For example, a citizen of Brazil can use their credentials in Colombia or Argentina to seamlessly manage entry requirements, verify vaccine coverage, or fill medical prescriptions while traveling.
These new initiatives build on our partnership with the IDB and help governments and citizens across Latin America seize the enormous AI opportunity. By working together, we can help ensure the region is at the forefront of the AI transformation, creating a more prosperous and inclusive future for all.