Chile introduces updated national AI policy and new AI legislation

Chile has officially launched its updated National AI Policy and introduced a proposed AI law aimed at fostering the ethical and responsible development of AI technology. The developments stem from the recommendations provided in the Chilean AI Readiness Assessment Report by UNESCO.

The announcements were made during an event held on 2 May at La Moneda, attended by prominent figures, including UNESCO Director-General Ms. Audrey Azoulay and Ms. Aisén Etcheverry, Chile’s Minister of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation.

Overview of Chile’s AI Bill

The proposed AI legislation, spearheaded by the Chilean Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge, and Innovation, is designed to encourage the creation and implementation of AI systems that prioritize human interests. Central to the bill is the protection of individuals’ health, safety, and fundamental rights, as well as consumer protection against the adverse effects of certain AI applications.

The bill introduces a regulatory framework that combines elements of self-regulation with risk-based regulation, similar to the EU’s AI Act. It classifies AI systems according to the level of risk they present, ranging from unacceptable to no evident risk. This classification aims to tailor regulatory measures appropriately, ensuring that AI systems are managed in a way that mitigates potential risks while promoting innovation. The law is aligned with the internationally recognized ethical principles set forth in the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.

Updated National AI Policy

The revised National AI Policy, as presented by Minister Aisén Etcheverry, emphasizes governance and ethical considerations in AI deployment. The update process incorporated insights from UNESCO’s Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM), which was instrumental in identifying governance gaps and integrating diverse stakeholder perspectives from across Chile.