UNESCO Expands Data Governance Tools for AI Across Latin America
UNESCO has expanded its data governance programme across Latin America and the Caribbean with a Spanish edition of its Data Governance Toolkit, new training opportunities and an interactive self-assessment tool. The initiative is intended to help governments develop more ethical, inclusive and rights-respecting approaches to artificial intelligence.
- UNESCO published its Data Governance Toolkit in Spanish.
- The toolkit launched on 8 July 2025.
- The 2026 training cohorts received more than 1,000 applications.
- The second cohort included participants from 22 countries.
- Peru published national AI and data governance strategies in 2026.
Spanish toolkit supports regional AI policy
The Spanish-language edition follows the launch of the Data Governance Toolkit: Navigating the Data in the Digital Age on 8 July 2025. UNESCO says the toolkit offers practical guidance for governments and regulatory authorities working on data access, protection, sharing and stewardship.
Data governance establishes rules and responsibilities for how data is collected, used, protected and shared, including who can access it and under what conditions. According to UNESCO, these arrangements are essential if digital transformation and AI development are to respect human rights and address the needs of societies in different contexts.
The toolkit was produced through the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, led by UNESCO in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme, the International Telecommunication Union and the African Union Commission, with participation from institutions and experts.
Peru links the work to national AI strategy
Peru is using the broader effort as part of work to strengthen public policies for the responsible development and use of AI. In 2026, the country published its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2026, 2030. Its situational analysis incorporated UNESCO’s Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment, conducted in 2025.
Peru’s Regulations of the AI Law, No. 31814, approved in 2025, include provisions on ethical AI use, transparency, human oversight and personal data protection. Under the law’s Fifth Complementary Provision, the country also published its National Data Governance Strategy 2026, 2030 and a Data Governance Action Plan in 2026.
UNESCO says these measures support the objectives of its Roadmap for Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean 2026, 2027. The toolkit also complements regional efforts including the Caribbean Artificial Intelligence Policy Roadmap.
Training and tools target public institutions
UNESCO and the United Nations Development Programme are using training to build capacity among public officials and regulatory staff. The first two cohorts of the course Data Governance for Inclusive Digital & AI Futures received more than 1,000 applications in 2026, with 84% from government and regulatory body personnel. The second cohort included participants from 22 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, including Peru.
UNESCO and The GovLab have also developed an interactive self-assessment tool. Institutions can use it to review their data governance practices and identify areas where the toolkit’s guidance may apply.
The organisation is working with partners on initiatives connected to linguistic diversity and Indigenous Peoples’ rights. The Indigenous Language Data Commons Incubator supports Indigenous-led teams developing fundable, community-governed data ecosystems for Indigenous and minority languages. Its call for applications received more than 180 submissions from over 50 countries, and selection is underway.
UNESCO plans to expand sector-specific guidance, including work on AI-ready public-sector data. A third online course cohort is planned for the first quarter of 2027, with the date still to be confirmed.
UNESCO (AI): Latin America Makes Progress in Data Governance for Ethical and
