Introduction
During the México IA+ e Inversión Acelerada event, Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico’s Secretary of Economy, emphasized the importance of preparing Mexico for artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its economic complexity.
Mexico’s Economic Complexity Ranking
Mexico recently achieved a record-breaking position, rising to 17th place in Harvard University’s Economic Complexity Index. This ranking is based on international trade statistics (exports and imports by product and country) and takes time to compile, verify, and correct inconsistencies.
Ebrard likened this challenge to Mexico’s literacy campaign a century ago, stating, “This is a new language. We need to catch up with this new language.”
AI’s Potential Impact on Mexico’s Economy
Ebrard highlighted the potential of AI to both concentrate and democratize opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in digitalization, financial services, AI, and digital platforms over the next two years.
He pointed out that Mexico is currently ranked 17th, just behind China (16th) and the United States (15th), due to its established manufacturing capacity, digital footprint, and potential for growth.
Saptiva: A Mexican AI Startup
Ebrard praised Saptiva, a Mexican AI startup offering infrastructure, models, and tools for businesses, governments, and regulated organizations.
Saptiva provides a sovereign AI infrastructure, enabling companies and regulated entities (finance, government, etc.) to deploy AI without relying on international providers or data outsourcing.
Their platform supports the execution of large language models (LLMs)—both proprietary and open-source—in various environments: cloud, on-premises, or even air-gapped for complete data control.
Saptiva’s local-regional focus allows it to better adapt to Latin American languages, markets, and regulations compared to global companies.
This approach ensures that all data remains within the Mexican environment, enabling Mexico to build its own infrastructure and language, similar to Chile and Brazil in Latin America.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of Mexico’s ranking in the Economic Complexity Index? Mexico’s rise to 17th place indicates progress in its economic complexity, based on international trade statistics.
- Why is AI preparation crucial for Mexico’s economic growth? Preparing for AI will enable Mexican businesses, especially SMEs, to access digitalization, financial services, and AI tools, enhancing their competitiveness.
- Who is Saptiva, and what role does it play in Mexico’s AI landscape? Saptiva is a Mexican startup offering AI infrastructure, models, and tools for businesses, governments, and regulated organizations. It supports local languages, markets, and regulations, contributing to Mexico’s sovereign AI development.
