Uruguay marks a milestone in Latin America with the creation of the first national Business Council for the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, an initiative promoted by UNESCO that positions the country as a regional pilot for the development of this innovative governance model, launched today at the Executive Tower of the Presidency of the Republic.
The Uruguayan Chamber of Information Technologies (CUTI) will assume the presidency of the Council in its Uruguay chapter, consolidating its leadership in promoting a responsible technology ecosystem. Carlos Acle, a CUTI executive, was elected president, accompanied by a Board of Directors comprised of representatives from leading companies in the sector: José C. Nordmann (Quanam) as vice president, Leticia Lago (Tigo), Elianne Elbaum (Microsoft), and Juan Pablo Pignataro (ANTEL).
The Business Council for the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence constitutes a platform for collaboration between the private sector, academia and public bodies, aimed at promoting an ethical, transparent and people-centered approach in the development and use of artificial intelligence.
This initiative falls within the framework of the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence adopted by UNESCO in 2021, the first global normative instrument on the subject, which establishes principles and guidelines to ensure that AI contributes to human well-being, equity and respect for fundamental rights.
The creation of this Council is important because artificial intelligence no longer poses only challenges related to technological adoption or competitiveness, but also fundamental questions about rights, trust, transparency, non-discrimination, and human development. In this context, the Council offers a concrete space for the Uruguayan business sector to actively contribute to human-centered AI governance, aligned with the principles of UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence.
Far from hindering innovation, ethics strengthens it. Incorporating ethical criteria into the design, development, and implementation of AI systems allows for the creation of more robust, reliable, and sustainable solutions, reducing risks and increasing the social legitimacy of digital transformation. The challenge is no longer just to innovate more, but to innovate better: responsibly, with safeguards, and with a long-term vision.
At the international level, the Council is jointly led by companies such as Microsoft and Telefónica, and includes global players like Salesforce, Lenovo, Grupo Bimbo, and Telstra, reinforcing its global reach and relevance. The Uruguay chapter thus becomes the first to be established in Latin America, with the aim of being replicated in other countries in the region.
“This Council reflects Uruguay’s commitment to artificial intelligence that serves people. Global experience shows that innovation is only sustainable when it is based on sound ethical principles. The UNESCO Recommendation provides us with a common framework to move in that direction, promoting trust, transparency, and inclusive development,” said Ernesto Fernández Polcuch , Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Montevideo.
During 2026, the Council will focus its work on three strategic lines: the incorporation of AI ethics into business practices, the strengthening of technical capabilities in organizations and professionals, and the positioning of Uruguay as a regional benchmark in artificial intelligence governance.
With this step, Uruguay not only consolidates its leadership in the technological field, but also reaffirms its commitment to a responsible digital transformation, aligned with international standards and oriented towards sustainable development.
read more: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/uruguay-lanza-el-primer-consejo-empresarial-por-la-etica-de-la-inteligencia-artificial-nacional?hub=701
