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Since 2020, over 60 bills have been introduced in the Mexican Congress seeking to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). In the absence of general AI legal framework, these bills have sought to regulate a broad range of issues, including governance, education, intellectual property, and data protection. Mexico lacks a comprehensive national strategy or policy on AI. In April 2023, the Senate and civil society established the National Alliance for Artificial Intelligence (ANIA), a working group that developed standards and good practices to inform Mexico’s adoption of a national AI strategy. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) supported the group.
On February 19, 2025, Congressman Ricardo Monreal Ávila, head of the majority Morena parliamentary group, introduced a bill (in Spanish) to amend the Mexican Constitution, granting Congress authority to legislate on AI and adopt a General Law on the Use of AI. Similar to the U.S. system, the Mexican federal system requires that specific constitutional authority be granted to the federal congress to legislate on specific matters, and the states have residual authority. Without a clear delegation of authority, secondary AI legislation could be more easily challenged in the courts.
The bill’s stated purpose is to: (i) ensure Mexico develops clear and effective regulations on AI, fostering responsible innovation while protecting human rights, privacy, and national security; (ii) allow the country to adapt to global technological advancements and address the ethical, social, and economic challenges associated with AI and emerging technologies; (iii) establish a legal framework that meets internal needs and international requirements, but preserves the country’s technological sovereignty.
The bill is expected to move quickly in Congress because it was introduced by Morena’s leader in the House and is aligned with President Sheinbaum’s digital strategy. The bill sets 180 days for Congress to pass a General Law on AI and harmonize other relevant secondary legislation. Although no draft bill has been published, it is expected that Congress will move quickly to approve the General Law on AI and secondary legislation once the constitutional amendment is approved. Technology companies and other businesses that use AI in their Mexico operations should closely monitor these developments, as both existing and new AI bills have the potential to advance through the legislative process at an accelerated pace.
