The rapid evolution of AI poses challenges for 2025: from regulating its impact on democracy to mitigating risks such as disinformation. Experts highlight the need for regulatory frameworks, reduction of digital inequalities and an inclusive public debate, especially in Latin America.
There is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the landscape in various settings, from politics to journalism and democracy. However, its rapid evolution raises essential questions about how to balance its benefits with risk mitigation, something that experts in the field admit will be urgently needed over the next year.
Tamara Taraciuk Broner, director of the Rule of Law Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, a think tank in Washington, DC, highlights “the crucial role” that technology is playing in public debate.
“Artificial intelligence forces us to rethink our democratic institutions to ensure that they adapt to changes, but also that they regulate them equitably,” he points out.
AI and democracy
The year 2024 marked a turning point in the relationship between societies and AI, but the gap between technological development and institutional preparation to manage it was also evident.
Cristóbal Fernández, head of the Electoral Technical Cooperation Section at the Organization of American States (OAS), has addressed the effects of AI on democratic processes.
Although it recognizes that the impact is still “incipient”, it highlights worrying risks. “We have seen false audios attributed to candidates and the massive dissemination of false information that could influence public trust,” Fernández remarks.
However, it warns that the risks of misinformation remain significant and are directly linked to a lack of institutional preparation. “Access to tools that allow the generation of false content quickly and cheaply continues to increase, and we need urgent measures to address it,” he says.
What can be done about it?
Looking ahead to 2025, the main challenge will be to convert the reflections and learnings of 2024 into concrete actions that guide the development and implementation of AI towards a more ethical and inclusive model.
Implementation of Regulatory Frameworks: Experts point out the need to advance the creation of specific laws and regulations for AI that include human rights, equality and sustainability perspectives. This must be accompanied by international agreements that distribute power and ensure transparency in the use of advanced technologies.
Education: It is crucial to equip institutions, civil society and governments with the necessary tools to understand and manage AI. This includes strengthening the technical capacities of the communities most affected by technological inequality.
Reducing digital inequality: Combating the concentration of technological power means investing in the development of local technologies and promoting the inclusion of diverse languages and cultures in AI systems.
Protection against disinformation: The electoral processes in 2025 will be under the magnifying glass. It is imperative to establish systems to detect and prevent disinformation generated with AI, as well as strengthen trust in democratic institutions.
Encourage public debate: Society needs to actively participate in defining how AI should shape populations.
The power of the private sector and Latin America
Vanina Martínez, researcher at the Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, maintains the power that some private technology companies are having in this rising industry.
“AI is modeling our reality according to the rules established by a handful of large corporations,” commented Martínez, who noted that this dynamic generates economic and cultural dependence in regions such as Latin America.
“Each line generated by systems like ChatGPT contains a thesis about the world. The problem is that these theses do not necessarily reflect diversity or local realities,” which, in his opinion, can generate “counterproductive” impacts and there is required international agreements and strong regulatory frameworks to “ensure that the interests of society prevail.”
Precisely, Paola Ricaurte, professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey, added that governments in Latin America often adopt technologies such as AI to address social problems without considering their implications.
“The trend towards technological solutionism leads to further criminalizing already marginalized populations, increasing social control instead of resolving root inequalities,” said the expert, proposing an approach that also includes educational, cultural and regulatory policies to mitigate these risks. .
Future plan
Luminate's vice president of programs, Felipe Estefan, closed the event by highlighting the need to act urgently: “AI is already transforming our societies. It is our responsibility to ensure that it does so for the better, ensuring that it does not exacerbate existing inequalities.”
According to Estefan, achieving this balance requires collaboration between governments, civil society and the international community.