TLDR: UNESCO, in collaboration with local partners, has spearheaded a multisectoral dialogue in Ecuador focused on the ethical regulation of Artificial Intelligence. This initiative, rooted in a human rights-based approach, aims to balance technological innovation with the protection of fundamental rights, emphasizing principles such as human autonomy, harm prevention, equity, explainability, and transparency.
Quito, Ecuador – July 30, 2025 – The UNESCO Office in Quito, in a concerted effort with the Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), FLACSO Ecuador, and Niubox, recently convened a pivotal multisectoral technical event titled ‘Human Rights-based Innovation: Ethical Governance of Artificial Intelligence.’ Held on July 24, 2025, this gathering brought together a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from public institutions, academia, international organizations, and civil society, to collectively address the complex ethical, social, and legal challenges posed by AI in Ecuador and across Latin America.
The primary objective of the dialogue was to foster the development of robust regulatory frameworks for AI that are meticulously aligned with international standards and firmly centered on human rights. Tatiana Villegas, the Representative of UNESCO in Ecuador, underscored the critical importance of this endeavor in her opening remarks. She stated, ‘An ‘ethical’ governance of artificial intelligence — that is, norms that balance innovation with the protection of human rights — is not only necessary but also beneficial to us as a society. Innovation and human rights can (and must) advance together, thereby enabling AI to become a truly robust, sustainable tool in the service of human development.’
The event’s agenda featured a comprehensive series of presentations and discussions. Carlos GarcÃa from UTPL delved into the broader ethics of AI, while Betsabé Moreno from UNDP provided an ‘Assessment of the Artificial Intelligence Landscape (AILA).’ Daniel Vizuete of FLACSO presented on the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (RAM), a global normative instrument adopted by all 193 Member States in 2021, which guides countries in ensuring AI development contributes to collective well-being, equity, and sustainability. Paula AlomÃa from Niubox offered insights into the current status of regional AI regulation.
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This initiative builds upon Ecuador’s proactive steps in AI governance, including the adoption of the first AI Code of Ethics for Public Institutions in Latin America, notably by the Superintendence of Economic Competition (SCE) in June 2025. This code, which includes principles like transparency, accountability, human oversight, fairness, privacy by design, non-discrimination, and security, aligns directly with UNESCO’s recommendations, setting a precedent for ethical technology governance in the public sector.
