UNESCO and CENIA Strengthen Partnership for Ethical AI in Education
In February 2026, a significant cooperation agreement was signed between the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago and the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA). This agreement aims to establish a framework for collaboration to enhance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within educational contexts in Chile and across Latin America.
Framework for Collaboration
The agreement was formalized by Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office in Santiago, and Mónica Soto Pérez, Chief Operating Officer of CENIA. The partnership focuses on promoting the development of digital competencies, enhancing AI literacy, and fostering people-centred AI development models that are grounded in ethical principles.
Project Development and Training
Key initiatives under this agreement include the creation of tailored projects and training resources aimed at diverse audiences, ranging from the general public to technical teams, educators, and decision-makers. This collaboration will also facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue and strengthen the national and regional ecosystems related to innovation and the responsible use of emerging technologies.
Milestones of the Partnership
Among the initial achievements of this partnership is the launch of Latam-GPT, the first open large language model designed specifically for Latin America and the Caribbean. This model aims to support its implementation by Ministries of Education in coordination with the Regional Education Steering Committee, led by UNESCO. Latam-GPT is set to become a pivotal tool within UNESCO’s new Regional Observatory on AI in Education.
Alignment with Ethical Standards
This agreement aligns with UNESCO’s mandate as a specialized agency within the United Nations system, which promotes normative frameworks and public policy guidance for ethical, inclusive, and rights-based AI. CENIA’s expertise in research and technology transfer will enhance the dissemination of these ethical priorities throughout the region.
Statements from Leadership
“Artificial Intelligence represents a historic opportunity to transform our education and productive systems, but its development must be guided by clear ethical principles and a people-centred vision,” stated Esther Kuisch Laroche. She emphasized that this partnership would assist countries in establishing governance frameworks that ensure AI contributes positively to societal welfare.
Mónica Soto Pérez echoed this sentiment, highlighting CENIA’s commitment to advancing knowledge generation, technology transfer, and scientific evidence. She affirmed that the collaboration aims to ensure the development of AI in the region adheres to robust and ethical standards, impacting both education and economic development.
Commitment to Responsible Innovation
This agreement marks a strategic step towards enhancing capacity development and the ethical adoption of AI in Latin America and the Caribbean. UNESCO reaffirms its dedication to forming strategic partnerships that promote policies and programs aimed at reducing inequalities, fostering responsible innovation, and establishing a digital culture based on transparency, inclusion, and respect for human rights.
