UNESCO to launch AI in education observatory for Latin America and the Caribbean

UNESCO launched the Observatory on AI in Education for Latin America and the Caribbean during a high-level event at the 2026 Forum of the Countries of Latin America and the Caribbean on Sustainable Development. The forum is organised by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The observatory is designed as a regional platform to support governments in integrating artificial intelligence into education systems. According to UNESCO, the initiative is being developed in collaboration with several regional and international partners, including the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, Chile’s National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Brazil’s Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society, and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.

UNESCO describes the observatory as a coordination mechanism combining research, policy support, and technical assistance. Its scope includes knowledge production, institutional capacity development, and support for innovation in education systems as the use of AI continues to expand across teaching, learning, and administrative processes.

The initiative is expected to support comparative analysis across countries in the region, identify emerging opportunities and risks, and assist policymakers in developing regulatory frameworks and national strategies. It will also contribute to pilot initiatives aimed at testing the application of AI in educational contexts.

In addition to policy support, the observatory is intended to facilitate regional cooperation. UNESCO positions it as a space bringing together ministries of education, universities, research institutions, private-sector actors, civil society organisations, and multilateral bodies.