AI Boosts Women-led Businesses, Security in the State of Mexico

At the Congress of the State of Mexico, specialists, and legislators met at the Women in AI forum to analyze the potential of this tool in strengthening security and promoting the development of businesses led by women in the state.

AI allows for task automation and document management, functions directly applicable to the operations of SMEs, says Rocio Villanueva, President, Mexican Association of Mobile Operators. "AI can be your personal assistant, you can ask it to remind you of a topic, to send a document, these can be things that seem easy but that can make things easier," says Villanueva. 

AI is consolidating globally as an engine of economic and social transformation. For businesses, AI represents not only an opportunity for innovation in products and services but also a tool to optimize internal management and decision making. In the social sphere, its implementation is being explored to address specific problems, such as personal security.

Applications, Challenges, and Regulatory Framework

During the forum, the specialists and legislators reviewed practical AI applications, structural obstacles to its adoption, and institutional responses.

Regarding security, the forum explored platforms and applications that use AI for real-time location monitoring and the generation of instant alert messages in emergency situations. These tools represent a market niche in the security tech sector, which is also exploring potential solutions tailored to the needs of women.

For entrepreneurs, AI’s main impact lies in its ability to improve operational efficiency, said speakers. The automation of administrative tasks, intelligent document management, and data analysis for decision making are functions that allow entrepreneurs to optimize resources and compete in broader markets. This approach positions AI as a key enabler for the scalability of women-led businesses.

Despite its potential, the forum identified two fundamental barriers to widespread AI implementation. The first is a digital education gap, particularly among adult women. Deputy Angélica Pérez said that there is a lack of knowledge about how these tools work and their usefulness in daily life, saying that "we do not have the culture and the knowledge."

The second challenge is a basic infrastructure deficit. The forum exposed the lag in communities in the northern and southern parts of the State of Mexico. In these areas, the lack of access to services like electricity and internet is a primary impediment to any digitalization initiative. "How can you talk about AI if there is no electricity," says Pérez.

To face these challenges, officials announced concrete actions from the legislative branch. Pérez says she will present an initiative to establish public policies that guarantee women's access to courses and technical assistance on AI. The goal is "to legislate and commit ourselves to creating a suitable public policy so that women have knowledge within their reach," she adds.

Additionally, the need for a regulatory framework for AI use was highlighted. AI’s rapid advancement makes comprehensive regulation difficult if postponed. Although the state legislature is awaiting federal regulations, it does not rule out developing a local initiative to lay the groundwork for the ethical and controlled AI use, said attendees.