AI Sovereignty: Mexico's Path to Technological Independence

In recent years, artificial intelligence has evolved from a future promise to a strategic tool impacting economies, societies, and governments. Its ability to transform entire industries, from manufacturing and healthcare to agriculture and education, places it at the heart of national development decisions. In this context, a concept gaining increasing importance is AI sovereignty.

AI sovereignty refers to a country’s ability to develop, implement, and control its own infrastructure, algorithms, and human capabilities related to artificial intelligence, without relying solely on external actors for its operation. It is not about technological isolation, but rather ensuring that knowledge, data, and talent are managed autonomously and for the benefit of local development.

For Mexico, this is an urgent debate. AI is not just an economic engine but a strategic asset for competitiveness. Fully dependent on foreign infrastructure for data processing and storage could limit our innovation capacity and slow the development of applications tailored to our needs.

Latin America Is Already Moving

Some countries in the region have recognized that infrastructure is the foundation of technological sovereignty and have taken concrete steps.

In Brazil, the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC) has operated the Santos Dumont supercomputer since 2015, which has been updated for AI projects and large-scale simulations. This machine, one of the most powerful in Latin America, has been key for research in health and climate change.

Chile has advanced with the National Supercomputing Center at the University of Chile, which offers high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities for national research.

In Argentina, the Simulation Center of CONICET houses the Clementina XXI system, a supercomputer installed in 2022 that supports scientific research and AI development in areas such as renewable energy and climate modeling.

These examples demonstrate that the region is already investing in capabilities that not only accelerate innovation but also enable training AI models with local data, increasing the relevance and precision of solutions. Mexico, with its economic size and human talent, cannot be left behind.

The Talent Challenge and Brain Drain

Having infrastructure is only half the challenge. The other half has a community of experts capable of leveraging it. Mexico produces thousands of engineers and scientists each year in AI-related fields but faces a recurring problem: talent drain.

One of Latin America’s most persistent challenges is the migration of trained researchers in science and engineering to other countries offering better conditions for their projects and professional development. This reality, highlighted in the 2021 report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), limits the return on investment in education and hinders the formation of solid innovation ecosystems in the region. Retaining talent is essential for local capacities to grow and translate into homegrown technological solutions.

If Mexico aspires to build AI sovereignty, it must offer its experts attractive opportunities to develop high-impact projects within the country. This means:

• Access to advanced computing infrastructure.
• Collaborative environments among academia, industry, and government.
• Funding programs and support for tech-based startups.

It is not just about retaining talent but creating a virtuous cycle where specialist training and access to technological resources mutually reinforce each other to drive innovation.

An Ecosystem That Benefits Everyone

Technological sovereignty is not built overnight. It is the result of a long-term strategy involving all relevant actors: government, companies, universities, and research centers.

For Mexico, the path could start with three key actions:

• Defining a national AI strategy that explicitly includes technological sovereignty as an objective.
• Encouraging investment in HPC infrastructure and national data centers, involving the private sector but maintaining sovereignty over critical data management.
• Promoting networks of communities and innovation hubs that connect experts, entrepreneurs, and companies, driving projects addressing national challenges.

Mexico has competitive advantages: a diversified economy, strategic location, trade agreements facilitating technological cooperation, and a growing base of specialized professionals. However, these advantages will only materialize if transformed into sustainable, homegrown capacities oriented to the country’s needs.

Looking Ahead

Artificial intelligence will define the competitiveness of nations in the coming decades. We are not just talking about productivity or efficiency but about sovereignty over data, control over innovation, and the capacity to decide the technological direction without complete dependence on third parties.

If Mexico invests today in developing its AI infrastructure and creates an ecosystem where talent can thrive, it will not only guarantee its technological independence but also lay the foundation for regional leadership in innovation.

The time to act is now. AI sovereignty is not a luxury; it is a strategic necessity. And on this path, collaboration will be the key that opens the doors to a future where Mexico is not just a consumer of technology but a creator and exporter of solutions that respond to our realities and aspirations.