SUMMARY:

Uruguay ranks as one of the most advanced countries in artificial intelligence in Latin America and, according to the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index 2025 developed by ECLAC, it belongs to the “pioneers” group, alongside Chile and Brazil, with scores above 60 points.

INFORMATION:

The report places Uruguay third in the region. In terms of infrastructure, it shows strong indicators relative to its size. The use of generative artificial intelligence is also significant.

Uruguay is among the countries with the highest adoption of these tools, in a context where the region accounts for between 15% and 20% of global downloads of such applications. However, the report warns that these advances coexist with structural limitations, which constrain the development of local capabilities.

Progress in adoption and local development

The ECLAC report identifies adoption as a key driver of AI development in the region. In this regard, Uruguay shows progress, particularly in the use of accessible tools such as generative AI.

At the local level, developments are being recorded in the private sector. In April 2025, STATUM introduced an intelligent assistant focused on digital procedures.

The system allows forms to be automatically completed using an image of an ID card or a utility bill. It also supports data entry through voice dictation.

The tool aims to improve accessibility and reduce processing time on digital platforms. This represents a concrete application of AI in administrative processes.

STATUM also developed a procedure generator based on artificial intelligence. The system can build the full structure of a procedure from basic data such as name, responsible agency, and applicable regulations.

This development automates tasks that previously required weeks or months. According to the company, the process can be reduced to a single day and produces preliminary versions for institutional validation before implementation.

Structural gaps and remaining challenges

Despite Uruguay’s positioning, the report identifies challenges affecting the entire region. One of the main issues is the shortage of specialized AI talent.

Another challenge is data availability. Access and standardization remain limited, restricting the development of AI applications.

In research, activity remains concentrated in a few countries. Brazil and Mexico account for most researchers, while others, including Uruguay, have a smaller share of scientific output.

Governance also presents limitations. Although several countries have national AI strategies, the report notes a lack of effective implementation and resource allocation.

In this context, Uruguay combines strong regional positioning with shared structural challenges. The development of capabilities in talent, investment, and policy execution emerges as a key factor for the evolution of the artificial intelligence ecosystem.