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Uruguay is in the process of revising its National AI Strategy for Digital Government, which was released in 2021 and was one of the first in the region to be published and implemented. The UNESCO AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) was conducted during the process of public consultation to revise the current strategy which will be published in 2025. The country has made progress with the implementation of this first national AI plan, but due to its limited focus on public administration and difficulties in monitoring and evaluation, the revision of this strategy is a strong opportunity to enhance the institutional capacity for the development of a national ecosystem of AI stakeholders, as well as to refine the strategic vision around AI. The revision of the AI strategy is being undertaken alongside the first comprehensive national data strategy for Uruguay, which will also be published in 2025. 

Based on UNESCO’s RAM in Uruguay, key strengths for the ethical and responsible development and use of AI include a strong legal framework which provides safeguards for human rights, as well as privacy and data protection. Uruguay has a high standard for personal data protection, as well as the institutional capacity to address this issue through the regulatory and control unit for data protection (UCRDP). Together with Argentina, it is the only other country in the region deemed adequate in terms of data protection by European standards, which is essential for the trustworthiness in trade concerning AI systems based on data. 

Uruguayan exports in information technologies in 2022 amounted to 1,172 million US dollars, the second largest exported service in the country. Although there are no statistics on national or international investment on AI, Uruguay is the first in Latin America where Microsoft has established an AI & IoT Insider Lab and the second country in South America with a data center from Google. The consolidation of a national supercomputer center (Cluster.uy) within the scientific sector, with a TIER III certification, is attractive for the development of research. Despite this progress, in the Government AI Readiness Index 2023, Uruguay achieved the 46^th global position, scoring lowest in the technology dimension and ranks 3^rd within the Latin American region in this index. According to that instrument it needs to improve in maturity, innovation and human capital. 

Key policy recommendations from the RAM include developing and/or implementing regulations for AI sandboxes and for the contracting and procurement of AI systems; promoting AI dialogues and establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework for Uruguay’s AI strategy; and building capacity across the AI ecosystem, including addressing the gender gap in the AI industry and implementing policies aimed at work, talent development and education.