Mexico Leads in AI Adoption Despite Cybersecurity Challenges

Mexico is emerging as a leading force among developing nations in the adoption of artificial intelligence, despite facing significant challenges related to cybersecurity and technology regulation. While developed countries often exhibit more caution due to privacy concerns, the Inclusive Internet Index reports that 67% of Mexicans understand AI, and 47% view its impact positively.

The rapid adoption of AI in Mexico is fueled by a growing understanding of the technology and its perceived transformative benefits, according to the IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2023 study.

In contrast, developed nations such as France, Japan, and Canada show lower levels of AI acceptance. The Inclusive Internet Index attributes this hesitance to heightened concerns about the technology’s implications.

Santiago Fajer, CEO, Xira, noted in an interview with Expansión that the reluctance in these countries is often driven by fears over data privacy, as highlighted by the recent EU AI Law.

The EU's AI Law, as previously reported by MBN, introduced a regulatory framework categorized into four levels of risk. The first two categories, zero and minimal, pertain to minor risks, while the high and critical levels address significant risks that could impact democratic processes and user privacy. 

Mexico, on the other hand, lacks specific AI and data protection legislation, placing the technology in a less regulated environment. Fajer points out that this regulatory gap has facilitated greater AI adoption in Mexico, though it has also heightened the country's vulnerability to cybersecurity threats.

"Mexico has the potential to benefit from AI from an early stage, unlike previous technologies such as computers, which saw early adoption in the U.S. and Asia while Mexico merely watched," Fajer noted. "The availability of AI in the country represents an opportunity to drive technological and business development."

According to data from NTT Data, Mexico and Colombia are leading Latin America in interest in AI. Seventy-one percent of Mexican companies recognize the potential of AI to enhance their operations. 

While countries like the United States, China, and various EU regions are at the forefront of developing advanced language models, Fajer emphasizes that effective AI implementation doesn’t necessarily require large-scale models.

"Smaller, specialized models can also be highly effective for specific tasks, enabling Mexico to advance in AI adoption without relying solely on large technological developments," Fajer concluded.