Promising Landscape of AI in Latin America with a Key Challenge
According to Adriana Noreña, Vice President for Google Hispanoamérica, the artificial intelligence (AI) landscape in Latin America is promising but faces a significant challenge: insufficient training in this technology. Noreña shared her insights during an interview with AFP in Mexico, visiting the country to celebrate Google Mexico’s 20th anniversary.
AI Adoption in Latin America
Studies indicate that 48% of individuals and 56% of businesses in Latin America are currently using AI. This places the region close to the adoption rates of the United States and Europe, differing only by one or two percentage points.
An Ipsos study reveals that 70% of Latin Americans, particularly in Chile and Mexico, are highly optimistic about the benefits AI can bring.
AI requires massive data to function effectively, and Latin America has a large population that can contribute to feeding these tools. This presents an encouraging outlook.
Challenges in AI Development
The primary challenge is the lack of skilled professionals ready to work with AI. The World Economic Forum states that one in six workers will need to reskill by 2027 due to the talent shortage. Google is addressing this issue through initiatives like “Crece con Google,” which has provided 88,000 scholarships across Latin America. In Mexico, Google is investing $2 million in a non-profit organization to train 60,000 students from vulnerable communities.
Regulatory Concerns and Google’s Stance
Noreña emphasized that AI is so transformative it must be regulated to prevent misuse. Google supports collaboration between government entities, private companies, and the creation of laws that promote the greater good. Privacy will always be a top priority.
With seven platforms used daily by 2 billion people, Google recognizes the responsibility that comes with errors affecting users’ lives. Their teams are working to ensure robust, responsible regulation without stifling innovation.
Combating Misinformation with Local Organizations
Google focuses on feeding AI tools with reliable and unreliable information to enable automatic fact-checking. From the start, Google aimed to deliver trustworthy search results.
In Mexico, Google launched AI Mode (for Spanish-language searches), which provides summaries citing verified sources. Google collaborates with organizations like AFP to enrich this information.
Compensating Media Outlets for Content Used in AI
Google believes that driving traffic to media outlets is the best way to support them. This is why search results include links directing users to relevant sources.
Google offers educational programs for media outlets to monetize their content through advertising and has partnered with over 2,800 media organizations worldwide to ensure their journalists use Google’s tools efficiently.
Traffic Balance Between AI Summaries and Media Websites
Contrary to concerns, Google has not observed a decrease in traffic directed towards media websites. Instead, search queries have become more informed and targeted, leading to higher-quality traffic for these outlets.
Google’s Perspective on Derechos Afines’ Financial Compensation Initiative
Google believes that directing traffic to media outlets, enabling them to monetize their content through advertising, is the best form of support.
Fair Distribution of Advertising Revenue
Google advocates for user freedom to access content relevant to their needs and ensures that advertising provides adequate returns for businesses. If a platform, whether Google or another, delivers the required return on investment, it is considered fair.
Data Center Construction and Environmental Impact
Google has two data centers in Latin America: one nearing completion in Uruguay and another in Quilicura, Chile. The company aims for these centers to become self-sufficient and emission-free as soon as possible.
Addressing AI Bias in a Region with High Inequality
Google employs multidisciplinary teams to test AI tools for biases and ensure fairness. The company also relies on user feedback to identify and rectify any potential biases.
While some biases may go unnoticed, Google commits to continuous improvement and correction.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current state of AI adoption in Latin America? According to studies, 48% of individuals and 56% of businesses in Latin America are using AI, placing the region close to adoption rates in the United States and Europe.
- What challenges does Latin America face in AI development? The main challenge is the lack of skilled professionals ready to work with AI. Google is addressing this through initiatives like “Crece con Google” and partnerships with non-profit organizations.
- How does Google view AI regulation? Google believes that AI’s transformative nature necessitates regulation to prevent misuse. They support collaboration between government entities, private companies, and the creation of laws that prioritize the greater good.
- How does Google combat misinformation with local organizations? Google focuses on feeding AI tools with reliable and unreliable information for automatic fact-checking. They collaborate with organizations like AFP to enrich this information.
- How does Google support media outlets whose content is used in AI? Google drives traffic to media outlets through search results containing links directing users to relevant sources. They also offer educational programs and partnerships with over 2,800 media organizations worldwide.
- Has AI summaries led to decreased traffic for media websites? Google has not observed a decrease in traffic directed towards media websites. Instead, search queries have become more informed and targeted, resulting in higher-quality traffic for these outlets.
- What is Google’s stance on Derechos Afines’ financial compensation initiative? Google believes that directing traffic to media outlets, enabling them to monetize their content through advertising, is the best form of support.
- How does Google ensure fair distribution of advertising revenue? Google advocates for user freedom to access content relevant to their needs and ensures that advertising provides adequate returns for businesses.
- What is Google’s strategy regarding data center construction and environmental impact in Latin America? Google aims for their two data centers in Latin America (Uruguay and Chile) to become self-sufficient and emission-free as soon as possible.
- How does Google address AI bias concerns in a region with high inequality? Google employs multidisciplinary teams to test AI tools for biases and relies on user feedback to identify and rectify any potential biases.
