Mexico Falls Behind Chile and Brazil in AI Talent Development, ECLAC Report Finds
According to a recent report by the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC), Mexico is lagging behind Chile and Brazil in the development of talent for the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index, which measures the penetration of technological skills related to AI, indicates that Mexico scored 51.3 points, while Chile and Brazil recorded 74.4 and 64.9 points respectively on a scale from zero to 100.
The report highlights that both Chile and Brazil have performed well in Infrastructure and Talent Development, which accounts for their higher scores. However, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia, and Mexico are all above the regional average of 36.9 points, indicating progress in AI talent development. Nevertheless, the overall AI index for Latin America, 2.16 percent, still falls short of the global average of 3.59 percent.
The advent of AI has sparked concerns among professionals and workers who fear being replaced by this technology in roles that involve repetitive or routine tasks. Certain job profiles, such as graphic designers, writers, translators, administrators, and accountants, are considered at risk. To mitigate this risk, workers need to embrace AI and utilize it to improve and enhance their work efficiency.
However, the report underscores that training is not a priority for many companies in Mexico, and there is a lack of correlation between the curricula of educational institutions and the skills required for AI adoption. Consequently, workers seeking to upskill often have to rely on self-initiated training without the support of their employers.
The report highlights the case of Nancy, who invested her own money in a course on social networks and digital environments at UNAM because her company does not provide training opportunities. This highlights the urgency to bridge the gap between skills demanded by the job market and those offered by educational institutions.
Fernando Hernández, Commercial Director of UVM For Business, explains that currently, only 5 percent of personnel receive training from their respective corporations. Companies need to invest more in training their employees to ensure they keep up with the evolving demands of the labor market. UVM For Business has designed diploma courses that align with the needs of companies, helping professionals stay up to date with AI and technological advancements.
Mario Chao, CEO of NTT DATA Mexico, expressed that AI will not replace professionals but rather complement their skills with AI tools. While some administrative jobs may be automated, the trend is to enhance technical capabilities to leverage the information generated by AI algorithms for better decision-making.
Overall, the ECLAC report highlights the importance of talent development in AI adoption. Mexico, although lagging behind Chile and Brazil, has made progress that surpasses the regional average. However, both companies and educational institutions need to prioritize training to bridge the gap and ensure workers have the necessary skills to thrive in an AI-driven future.
