TLDR: Mexican technology and academic experts are calling for a comprehensive regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect national data and ensure sovereignty. This initiative is spurred by significant investments in data center infrastructure within the country, particularly in the Bajio region. The proposed regulation aims to address ethical, social, and economic challenges, drawing lessons from diverse global approaches while fostering local innovation and mitigating dependence on major tech corporations.
Technology and academic specialists in Mexico are strongly advocating for the establishment of a comprehensive regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI). The central tenet of this proposal is to safeguard national data and uphold national sovereignty, a push significantly influenced by recent substantial investments in data center infrastructure across the country, notably in the Bajio region, with Queretaro being a key hub.
Fernando SantaCruz, Founder and Head of AI and Automation at Adivor Consulting Toronto, emphasized the urgency, stating, “We have to start discussing this regulation now… With the massive establishment and investment in data centers, particularly in Queretaro, the legislation and regulation of AI and all the technology that enables it becomes relevant.” SantaCruz further suggested that the treatment, storage, and processing of data on national territory should be considered a strategic asset.
Mexico’s drive for AI regulation is part of a broader global discourse, where major world powers have adopted varied regulatory models since the emergence of Generative AI in 2022. Pedro Salazar, a Researcher at the Institute of Legal Research, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), highlighted these divergent approaches: the United States favors minimal or zero regulation to prioritize innovation and technological development, while the European Union adopts a risk-based approach, focusing heavily on protecting fundamental rights like privacy and personal data security. In contrast, China’s regulatory strategy is explicitly geopolitical, aiming to consolidate its leadership in the AI sector by 2030.
Mexico finds itself at a critical juncture. Despite legislative initiatives dating back to 2020, the nation currently lacks a cohesive national AI strategy or a consolidated legal framework. The choice of regulatory model presents a strategic challenge, especially given potential tensions that could arise during the renegotiation of the USMCA if Mexico opts for stricter controls than its commercial partners.
To construct an effective legal framework, Salazar proposes that any AI law in Mexico should be built upon three fundamental pillars: Ethics and Transparency, ensuring algorithms are auditable, explainable, and free of bias to prevent discrimination and promote fairness; Personal Data Protection, guaranteeing the security and privacy of information feeding AI systems in line with individual rights; and Technological Sovereignty, aiming to mitigate dependence on large technology corporations such as Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI, and instead foster a robust local innovation ecosystem. Frida Ruh, Co-Founder of Wavy Node, added that a national strategy must focus on ‘customizing AI for our culture, our context, and our needs.’
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Further complicating the regulatory landscape, Mexico enacted a new Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties (LFPDPPP) on March 21, 2025, which dissolved the National Institute of Transparency, Access to Information, and Protection of Personal Data (INAI). Its responsibilities were transferred to the Ministry of Anticorruption and Good Governance, raising concerns among legal experts and civil society organizations about regulatory independence. In a significant legislative move, Congressman Ricardo Monreal Ávila introduced a bill on February 19, 2025, to amend the Mexican Constitution, granting Congress the authority to legislate on AI and adopt a General Law on the Use of AI. This bill sets a 180-day timeline for Congress to pass the General Law on AI and harmonize other relevant secondary legislation, indicating a rapid progression towards a defined AI regulatory future for Mexico.
