United Kingdom and Mexico Set Path for AI and Data Sovereignty
At a critical juncture regarding its digital infrastructure and corporate information management, Mexico is stepping forward with the assistance of the British Embassy. Under the framework of the AI Mission in Mexico City, a strategic roundtable was hosted to establish collaborative frameworks for AI development between British technology firms and the Mexican business ecosystem.
This initiative focuses on the adoption of international standards, enhancing technical education, and strengthening data sovereignty within the private sector.
The Challenges in the Mexican Market
Verónica Viniegra, CEO of MAYia Edgenet, highlighted a visible lack of maturity in the Mexican market, stating that while large corporations advance through operational efficiencies, SMEs hesitate due to a lack of technical knowledge. She emphasized, “If we do not integrate privacy, high-quality data, and cybersecurity under international frameworks, we cannot conduct the technological train toward the desired economic objectives.”
Currently, Mexico manages a significant portion of its corporate and sovereign data through external infrastructures, with reports indicating that 90% of data from Mexican companies is stored outside the country. This situation poses challenges for digital sovereignty, national security, and geo-strategic positioning.
The Role of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has maintained a leading position in AI strategies since 2017 and can serve as a primary reference for Mexico to implement best practices in data ethics and algorithmic transparency.
The mission bears relevance due to the regulatory gap in the US–Mexico region. While the European Union has progressed toward risk-based AI legislation, Mexico is still navigating the implementation of regulations for its Law of Protection of Personal Data. Chanel Medellín from BSI noted, “The lack of a clear regulatory roadmap has led to a fragmented ecosystem.”
International Standards and Normalization
A primary objective of the UK Embassy mission is the harmonization of technical standards to facilitate cross-border collaboration. The roundtable discussed the necessity of translating international standards, specifically ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 42005, into Mexican National Standards (NMX). These standards provide a management system for AI that addresses safety, transparency, and accountability.
This transition to NMX is not just a bureaucratic step but a strategic incentive for local supply chains. Eneas Castellanos, President and Advisor at CANACINTRA, pointed out that many local providers struggle to integrate into global value chains due to the lack of these certifications.
By establishing a local version of these standards, the industry can create a “sandbox” environment, allowing SMEs to test AI implementations under controlled risks before attempting full-scale international certification.
The Four Pillars of AI Competency
The Open Data Institute presented a framework to address the divide between technical teams and decision-makers. Research suggests that the success of AI in the workplace depends on four distinct levels of competency:
- AI Literacy: Understanding AI’s capabilities and recognizing biases.
- AI Skills: Technical capacity to build, train, and deploy models.
- AI Fluency: Ability to communicate limitations and assumptions of models.
- AI Acumen: Strategic responsibility encompassing risk analysis and ethical requirements.
Dave Tarrant emphasized that education should not solely focus on creating more data scientists but also on developing “data translators” who bridge the gap between technical experts and business leaders.
Digital Sovereignty and Infrastructure
The roundtable underscored that digital sovereignty is a matter of economic security. Mexican data center representatives highlighted that capital and talent are available to support the decentralization of information management.
By moving data processing closer to the source in states like Jalisco, Nuevo Leon, and Mexico City, companies can reduce latency and increase control over sensitive information.
However, the use of AI must remain transparent. Jocelyn Garcia from T-Systems Mexico warned that the lack of an ethical framework for government AI use could foster an environment of surveillance rather than efficiency.
Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry
The gap between academic output and industrial needs remains a significant barrier. The Association National of Institutions of Education in Information Technologies (ANIEI) is aligning university curricula with the demands of major technology companies.
Antonio Velasco from Monterrey IT Cluster noted that while micro-credentials and short courses are popular, they often fail to provide the deep mathematical foundation required for sustainable innovation.
The consensus among participants is that the year 2026 will be a turning point for AI implementation at the enterprise level, emphasizing the urgency of accelerating talent development programs.
Strategic Commitments and Next Steps
During the event, the UK Embassy committed to facilitating access to research and maturity assessment tools developed by British institutions. This initiative will allow Mexican companies to self-evaluate their data readiness and ethical frameworks.
Additionally, the British Embassy and trade chambers plan to establish a repository of “lessons learned” to help companies avoid common errors in AI adoption.
The ongoing “British AI Mission” in Mexico City aims to build bilateral trust, integrating UK expertise in data ethics with Mexican industrial capacity to pave the way for a more resilient and sovereign digital future.
