Record STMT-WF3934BAspirational

National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of Panama

Strategy Institutional policyLatin America and the Caribbean · PAadopted

The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of Panama (AI 2036) outlines a comprehensive, action-oriented blueprint to transform Panama into Latin America's trusted hub for AI innovation and competitiveness. Organized around six operational pillars spanning infrastructure, human capital, data safety, governance, investment, and sectoral applications, the strategy aims to drive economic growth and productivity while maintaining strong ethical safeguards. Developed in partnership with Georgia Tech and commissioned by SENACYT, it covers the 2026-2036 period with triennial reviews.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Secretariat of Science, Technology and InnovationGovernment

Lead issuer

Georgia Institute of TechnologyAcademic · US

Contributor

Legal forceAspirational

Under whose authorityInstitutional policy

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentGeneral publicRegulatorsPublic sector bodiesCompaniesAI developers and providersAI deployers and usersResearchers and academics

Government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and civil society actors seeking guidance on Panama's national AI development and adoption roadmap.

Sectors

Cross-sectorPublic administration · Government operations and digital public servicesTelecommunications and digital services · Logistics, financial services, and telecommunications

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers comprehensive national strategies for developing AI infrastructure, human capital training, data governance and cybersecurity, agile governance frameworks, venture investment promotion, and sectoral AI deployment across logistics, finance, agriculture, and healthcare.

What's missing

Binding international treaty commitments or strict statutory legislation, as the document serves as an operational strategic framework rather than a codified law.

Key takeaways

Panama aims to transition from a physical logistics connector to an intelligent digital junction branded as Latin America's Trusted Hub for AI Innovation.
The strategy is organized around six operational pillars addressing infrastructure, human capital, data security, governance, investment, and sector-specific applications.
The National Applied AI Institute (NAAII) is established as an agile execution catalyst rather than a heavy-handed regulator.
Strict enforcement of data protection laws and ethical impact assessments are prioritized to ensure trustworthiness and respect for ARCO rights.
Sector-specific application roadmaps mobilize industries like logistics, finance, agriculture, and healthcare to drive productivity and economic development.

Principles it states

AI SovereigntyHuman-CentricityInclusion and EquityAgility and ExperimentationSustainability

Outline

· Executive Summary
· Introduction
· Pillar I: Digital and Physical Infrastructure
· Pillar II: Human Capital and Workforce Development
· Pillar III: Data, Safety, and Security
· Pillar IV: Governance and Ethics
· Pillar V: Investment Promotion, Entrepreneurship and International Partnerships
· Pillar VI: AI Application in Strategic Economic Sectors
· Implementation Roadmap
· Tabular Summaries
· Glossary of Terms

Issued2026

Length12,865 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

4/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

Individuals will be informed when a decision affecting them is based on an AI system, may request understandable explanations, and will have the possibility of having a person review or modify the decision.

6.2 Agile Regulation and Ethical Frameworks

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

The strategy explicitly aims at bridging the digital divide, ensuring that AI-enabled opportunities reach rural and indigenous communities, preventing the exacerbation of existing inequalities.

2.4 Guiding Principles and Methodology

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

4/5

Protection of personal data and private life

Citizens must have the right to know if their data is being used to train a model and to opt-out. ANTAI will be strengthened—normatively, institutionally, budgetarily, and technically—to oversee these protections

5.1 Data Governance and Legal Foundations

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

4/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

Create and maintain a publicly accessible AI Register that lists all government AI systems, detailing their purpose, data sources, and Ethical Impact Assessment ratings.

8.7 Government Operations

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

3/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

ANTAI will be strengthened—normatively, institutionally, budgetarily, and technically—to oversee these protections in the processing of personal data by AI systems.

5.1 Data Governance and Legal Foundations

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

national_ai_strategy digital_infrastructure human_capital data_governance governance_and_ethics trusted_hub