REDemocracIA : guía para una aproximación democrática a la inteligencia artificial en Iberoamérica

Abstract

The rapid expansion of algorithmic systems and their growing role in society demand a reexamination of the state-citizen relationship and a critical reflection on democracy in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is not merely a technical issue but a political one, as its regulation, design, and implementation can either strengthen or undermine democratic structures. Moreover, the increasing concentration of power in a few tech corporations, limited local resources for AI development, and external regulatory influences, such as the EU AI Act, pose specific challenges for Latin America. Therefore, it is crucial to develop context-specific regulatory frameworks that balance global lessons with regional realities. This guide provides a critical and multidimensional approach to AI governance in Latin America, offering tools for public policy formulation that balance technological innovation with fundamental rights protection. It is the outcome of a collaborative process involving experts in technology, law, and public policy, as well as private sector and civil society actors. Through a series of discussions, key challenges and opportunities were identified, leading to concrete policy recommendations. The guide emerges within the framework of the Ibero-American Network for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence (REDemocracIA), an initiative led by the Chair on Artificial Intelligence and Democracy at the European University Institute’s School of Transnational Governance. REDemocracIA seeks to foster analysis and action regarding the political and social effects of AI on democracy, with a special focus on Latin America. While the European and Latin American countries within the Ibero-American space share common interests, regulatory approaches must acknowledge regional specificities. Each chapter explores a specific governance issue and provides analytical frameworks and policy recommendations within a human rights-centered, sustainable, and inclusive development approach. The guide adopts a multidisciplinary and transnational perspective, recognizing that AI governance cannot rely on isolated regulations but requires coordinated efforts among governments, academia, private sector actors, and civil society.