In September 2025 Uruguay became the first Latin American country to sign the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law (CETS 225). The Convention is the first internationally legally binding AI treaty; its provisions cover procedural safeguards, transparency, public consultation, digital literacy efforts, and remedies for human rights violations arising from AI use.
Uruguay was involved in elaborating the Convention text before its opening for signature in September 2024. Signature establishes a commitment to align domestic law with the Convention’s principles; ratification and domestic implementation legislation will be required before the Convention creates binding national obligations.
Uruguay’s AGESIC agency has established an AI Observatory, offers public servant AI training ranging from introductory modules to deep-learning courses, and anchors AI governance in a National AI Strategy and a 2024-2030 digital plan.
Who it affects: Public institutions, workers subject to algorithmic employment decisions, and citizens whose rights may be affected by AI systems in public or regulated private services.
What is notably missing: Signature does not yet create binding domestic obligations; ratification and implementing legislation are outstanding. Uruguay has civil servant training programmes but no statutory standard requiring pre-deployment training or defining minimum competencies.