Latin America and the Caribbean

Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Productivity, Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth in Latin America and the Caribbean

Date

28 September 2026

Location

Presidential Palace, Montevideo, Uruguay

Time

15:00 - 18:00

The Business at OECD side event to the OECD Latin America and the Caribbean Ministerial Summit will provide a forward-looking platform for ministers, senior OECD officials and business leaders to discuss how Artificial Intelligence can become a driver of sustainable growth, productivity and competitiveness across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Agenda

15:00 - 15:05

Welcome and Opening Remarks

15:05 - 15:10

Keynote Address

15:10 - 15:55

Panel 1 - Unlocking AI Adoption in Latin America and the Caribbean: Opportunities, Investment and Policy Priorities

Organised in cooperation with the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Innovation, this discussion will examine the current state of AI adoption across the region, the role of multinational enterprises in driving technological diffusion and investment, and how OECD standards and principles can support responsible and innovation-friendly AI ecosystems.

15:55 - 16:25

Break

16:25 - 17:10

Panel 2 - From Principles to Practice: Helping Latin America and the Caribbean SMEs Harness Artificial Intelligence

Organised in cooperation with the OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, this panel will explore how governments, international organisations and businesses can work together to accelerate AI adoption among SMEs. Building on the OECD Digital for SMEs Global Initiative, this could be through better digital infrastructure, targeted skills development, practical guidance, trusted AI governance and stronger public-private partnerships. The discussion will also showcase concrete business initiatives supporting SME digital transformation across the region.

17:10 - 17:55

Panel 3 - Bridging the Skills Gap: Human Capital as the Foundation for AI-Driven Productivity in Latin America and the Caribbean

Organised by PIAAC Uruguay, in coordination with the OECD Directorate for Education and Skills and the OECD Global Relations and Cooperation Directorate, this panel will explore understanding where the workforce's skills currently stand in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. This includes investing in the education and training systems that build those skills, aligning that development with the needs of a fast-moving private sector, and ensuring that firms and institutions can effectively adopt and integrate AI into everyday work practices.

17:55 - 18:00

Wrap-Up and Key Takeaways