Tech Leap or Tech Lag: Latin America’s Quest to Keep up with Emerging Technologies

This paper analyzes how Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries adopt or develop emerging technologies (ET) such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), quantum computing, 5G networks, and cybersecurity. The region depends on imported technology and lacks internal development, which limits its ability to innovate and compete globally, thus preventing it from fully capitalizing on ETs economic opportunities.

One of the key challenges identified is the significant disparity in ET investment compared to regions like North America, Europe, and Asia, where large-scale government and private sector initiatives drive technological innovation. Regional governments struggle to secure sufficient funding for research and development and lack clear regulatory frameworks that promote ET adoption and address ethical and security concerns.