Data protection and artificial intelligence at the center of cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean

• The EU Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act Could Inspire Regulation in Latin America and the Caribbean

The protection of personal data and the regulation of artificial intelligence have been central themes of the High-Level Political Dialogue on Data Governance held on September 30 and October 1 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

The meeting was co-organized by FIIAPP (Spanish Cooperation) and the Uruguayan Agency for Electronic Government and Information and Knowledge Society (AGESIC), within the framework of the European project Digital Alliance EU-LAC, an initiative aimed at strengthening digital cooperation between Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

The event, co-chaired by the European Union and the Government of Uruguay, aimed to facilitate the exchange of perspectives and strategies on data governance, a topic that is increasingly relevant in a more digitalized world.

“This type of dialogue makes it possible to identify and respond to common challenges through the alignment of public policies, joining efforts towards a safer, more inclusive digital environment that respects the rights of citizens in both regions,” said Manuel Yubero, FIIAPP’s Economic Development and Environment technician.

National data protection authorities from Spain, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Brazil, Croatia, Costa Rica, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Slovenia participated in the discussion, along with representatives from international (OECD) and European institutions (DG CONNECT).

Robust Regulatory Frameworks for Data Governance Are Needed

Cooperation between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean in the digital sphere is essential to address common challenges, particularly in regulating the processing of personal data and artificial intelligence, areas where technological advancements require robust regulatory frameworks.

This dialogue emerged from the conclusions reached at the Digital Alliance EU-LAC Conference held in November 2023 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, where participants—representatives from governments, regional and international organizations, the private sector, civil society, and academia—identified the need for greater collaboration in data governance to advance digital transformation.

The regulation of artificial intelligence and its impact on data governance has also been a topic of discussion. With the recent adoption of the EU AI Act, it is expected that this regulation will serve as a reference for countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Artificial intelligence has the potential to transform sectors such as health, education, and public administration, but it also poses risks regarding privacy due to the misuse of data. The AI Act seeks to regulate these areas, ensuring the safe and ethical use of technology.

Regulating International Data Transfers

The meeting in Montevideo also served as a platform to explore cooperation in international data transfers. This area is vital for global economic integration and facilitating the flow of information between regions. From the initial steps in data regulation with the OECD Privacy Guidelines and the Council of Europe’s Convention 108 (1981) to the more recent Convention 108+, efforts have been made to ensure the free movement of data with security and trust. Cooperation in this area enables participating countries to improve their regulatory frameworks and align them with international standards.