Artificial Intelligence law at Uruguay
As of May 2025, Uruguay has established a comprehensive framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance, integrating ethical principles, data protection standards, and strategic planning to promote responsible AI development and deployment.
🇺🇾 Uruguay's AI Governance Framework
1. AI Strategy for Digital Government (2020–2030)
Uruguay's national AI strategy, launched in 2020 and updated for 2024–2030, aims to integrate AI into public administration while ensuring ethical and transparent use. The strategy is structured around four pillars:(Digital Watch Observatory)
AI Governance in Public Administration: Establishing a governance model with clear roles, responsibilities, and standards to ensure accountability and transparency in AI decision-making processes.
Capacity Development: Building AI skills among public sector employees through training programs and creating spaces for sharing best practices.(Digital Watch Observatory)
Responsible Use: Developing guidelines for selecting problems, designing, and implementing AI solutions, emphasizing data protection and privacy.(Digital Watch Observatory)
AI and Digital Citizenship: Raising public awareness about AI and promoting digital literacy to foster trust and informed participation.
This strategy is designed to evolve continuously, adapting to technological advancements and ensuring that AI implementation remains aligned with values of transparency, accountability, and inclusion. (Digital Watch Observatory)
2. Legal and Regulatory Framework
Law No. 18,331 – Personal Data Protection Law: Regulates the treatment and protection of personal data in Uruguay, ensuring privacy and security for individuals.(Trade.gov)
Law No. 18,719 – Information Security Law: Focuses on the protection of information within the public sector, establishing responsibilities for safeguarding state-held data.(Trade.gov)
Law No. 19,355 – Digital Services Law: Regulates the provision of digital services, including e-government services, aiming to improve accessibility and efficiency.(Trade.gov)
Article 16 of Law No. 18,331: Grants individuals the right to avoid decisions made solely by automated systems if those decisions have significant effects, such as in credit scoring or job applications. (Trade.gov)
3. Institutional Oversight
The Agency for the Development of Electronic Government Management and the Information and Knowledge Society (AGESIC) is the primary body responsible for AI regulation in Uruguay. AGESIC oversees the implementation of the national AI strategy and collaborates with the Personal Data Regulatory and Control Unit (URCDP) to address data protection concerns. (Lex Mundi)
🔍 Strategic Focus Areas
Ethical AI Development: Ensuring AI systems are designed and deployed in ways that respect human rights, promote inclusivity, and avoid biases.
Public Sector Innovation: Leveraging AI to enhance public service delivery, improve decision-making processes, and increase efficiency within government operations.
International Collaboration: Engaging with global initiatives and adhering to international standards to align Uruguay's AI policies with global best practices.
Digital Literacy and Public Awareness: Educating citizens about AI technologies to foster trust and enable informed participation in the digital ecosystem.
🚀 Future Directions
Uruguay is committed to continuously evolving its AI governance framework to address emerging challenges and opportunities. The upcoming publication of a comprehensive national data strategy in 2025 is expected to further strengthen the institutional capacity for AI development and refine the strategic vision around AI. (UNESCO)
Uruguay's proactive approach to AI governance positions it as a leader in Latin America, balancing innovation with ethical considerations to ensure that AI technologies serve the public interest and contribute positively to societal development.
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