By Ricardo Lezama 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been playing a significant role in various fields in Mexico. Most people are interacting with AI at some level, including with cars that are electric, applications that optimize power consumption or somehow link social media profiles to one another, the fact is that most people in Mexico are aware of AI and fully embrace it wherever useful.
For instance, the technology is being used to forecast the coldest days of winter, determine the tastiest coffee’s origin, and even predict potential consequences of a volcanic eruption. Notably, data science models are also analyzing the beauty of boulevards across the country and weighing the liveability factors to rank the best places to reside.
In terms of businesses, start-ups like Yumari are leveraging AI to enhance their services. Similarly, Coin Scrap’s AI-powered fintech solutions, originally developed in Mexico, have witnessed considerable success and are now being launched in Colombia. To be fair, this seems to be a combination of all the latest trends into one so there may be a dose of healthy skepticism in order.
Academic institutions are also adapting to the increasing prevalence of AI. The Autonomous University of Guadalajara has recently introduced a degree program in AI, and the National Polytechnic Institute will be offering a Master’s and Doctorate in AI and Data Science by 2025, which is incredible
Mexico’s AI Crime Issues
Like virtually any other technology, there is a criminal angle to some of the AI, specifically, generative AI, uses.
As one can imagine, there have been notable challenges around defining regulatory issues. In Mexico City there have been criminal groups are reported to exploit the technology for new forms of extortion in which they can simulate loved ones voices or simulate a video call with their image. This has in turn demanded immediate attention from the authorities. Senator Lucia Trasviña Waldenrath has proposed reforms to the Federal Law of Telecommunications and Broadcasting aiming to provide a secure and ethical future for AI use.
Job Market & AI education events in Mexico
In the job market, AI has identified the most future-proof careers, and its application in the classroom is revolutionizing education by supporting teachers and democratizing learning, especially in rural areas where internet access can be a challenge. On that note, there is a symposium taking place in Toluca, Estado de Mexico where faculty and students will explore the relevance for their local context.
Se llevará a cabo el Simposio “Actualidades de la Inteligencia Artificial en México” el 25 y 26 de noviembre; con el objetivo de crear un espacio de colaboración de profesionales, docentes y estudiantes universitarios del #EstadoDeMéxico
— CONVIVE (@CONVIVEedomex) November 16, 2024
👉🏻 https://t.co/bUcxz54AgT @SeducEdoMex https://t.co/42VrJctJLM
The technology is also being employed in the entertainment industry, with Coca Cola’s 2024 Christmas commercial being entirely created using AI.
On the other hand, the push for AI regulation is seen as a potential game-changer for the local tech ecosystem. With Mexico’s advancements in cloud computing, AI, and big data, it is poised to transform sectors like health, education, and manufacturing. The effective adoption and utilization of these technologies will determine Mexico’s progress in this digital age.