Unesco published a report on AI adoption in Latin American higher education. It surveyed 200 institutions across 19 countries. Only 26 percent have formal AI frameworks. 87 percent use AI in at least one area. Teaching and learning see the highest AI use at 74 percent. Research follows at 57 percent. Private non-profit universities lead adoption at 84 percent. Public universities lag at 68 percent. Private for-profit institutions are at 52 percent. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are used by 90 percent of teaching institutions. Public universities have six times more staff without AI training than private non-profits. 55 percent of universities lack a specific AI budget. Public universities have the lowest dedicated AI funding at 4 percent. Unesco calls for stronger governance and investment in digital literacy.
What changed
No prior comprehensive regional assessment of AI adoption in Latin American higher education existed.
What it unlocks
Identifying disparities in AI adoption to inform targeted investment and governance improvements.
- 200 institutions surveyed
- 26% with formal AI frameworks
- 87% using AI in at least one area
- 74% using AI in teaching
Sources