The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) under the auspices of UNESCO, continues to play a key role in fostering international cooperation on artificial intelligence. As of May 2025, IRCAI is responsible for the implementation of the AI component within the Digital Alliance, and is supporting the European Union and Latin American & the Caribbean members of the Alliance by advancing inclusive and sustainable AI governance through high-level policy dialogues, capacity-building programs, and multi-stakeholder engagement.
With that objective, the EU-LAC Digital Alliance convened at the EU-LAC High Level Policy Dialogue on AI and online platform governance from 1-3 July 2025 in São Paulo.These strategic, bi-regional meetings bring together policymakers, researchers, and digital experts to align priorities on responsible AI development and advance cooperation on digital policy between the EU and LAC.
Organised by the European Union and the Government of Brazil, with IRCAI as a co-organiser alongside GIZ, ECLAC, and NIC.br, the São Paulo Dialogue focused on High Performance Computing (HPC), Large Language Models (LLMs), and regulatory AI sandboxes—pivotal topics for building inclusive, ethical, and innovative digital ecosystems.
A key highlight was a visit to Latam-GPT, a regional LLM developed through a broad Latin American collaboration. Discussions also spotlighted progress on creating a bi-regional HPC network, supported by the BELLA transatlantic cable infrastructure, and explored regional approaches to testing and regulating AI through sandboxes.
At the meeting also the Hamburg Declaration on the Responsible Use of AI for the SDGs was presented, encouraging further endorsement from LAC countries. The event underscored the value of sustained dialogue and cooperation in shaping the global governance of AI, ahead of the upcoming EU–CELAC Summit in November 2025.
Through these policy dialogues, the EU–LAC Digital Alliance continues to deliver on the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, fostering digital partnerships that promote shared values, sustainable growth, and technological sovereignty.
