The AI Adoption Initiative hosted a workshop in Santiago, Chile on the economic and policy imperative of AI adoption, bringing together global experts to share lessons and develop a roadmap for implementation. 

Highlights

• AI as a general-purpose technology: Ed Teather (AWS) and Kevin Allison (Minerva Technology Futures) emphasized diffusion – not just invention – as the key to economic growth, drawing lessons from fast adopters worldwide.
• Keynote on Latin America’s AI roadmap: Fabrizio Opertti (Inter-American Development Bank) outlined three pillars: governance (avoid over-regulation), infrastructure (invest in data and compute), and people (prioritize upskilling).
• Policy panel: Leaders from OECD and Pais Digital discussed how emerging economies like Brazil and India can leverage AI to develop the next generation of innovative products and services, while smaller nations like Denmark and Singapore succeed through early investments and SME support.
• Latin America panel: Paula Labra, a member of Chile’s Chamber of Deputies, cautioned against regulatory overreach; Rodrigo Durán of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) stressed support for workforce transitions and skills, while Marianella Sanchez (AWS) called for pro-innovation regulation focused on adoption.

Recommendations 

• Public sector: Set adoption KPIs, apply existing laws, and deliver practical AI training; and
• SMEs: Invest in workforce training, promote digital literacy, and design SME-friendly regulations with strong public-private partnerships.

The key takeaway is that adoption, backed by smart policy, upskilling, and infrastructure can help deliver on AI’s economic promise.

Join us 

AI adoption is a global challenge, and it will take collaboration to succeed. AIAI will continue to bring together voices from around the world to ensure AI becomes a tool for opportunity and growth. 

Learn more and get involved: www.adopt-ai.org.