Democratising Artificial Intelligence for Pandemic Preparedness and Global Governance in Latin American and Caribbean Countries

AI can address critical pandemic challenges: The paper identifies specific areas where AI demonstrates promise for pandemic response, including predicting epidemic outbreaks, detecting disease variants, contact tracing, drug discovery, and combating health misinformation—capabilities that proved valuable during COVID-19.

The Global South needs AI solutions tailored to its context: The AI4PEP network operates 16 projects across 16 Global South countries, recognizing that pandemic preparedness tools must be adapted to the unique circumstances of low- and middle-income countries rather than simply importing solutions from wealthier nations.

Responsible AI governance requires global cooperation: The paper emphasizes that because AI operates across borders, individual country regulations are insufficient; the field needs international consensus on guidelines and standards to ensure AI is used responsibly in pandemic response globally.

Equitable distribution of AI benefits is not automatic: The authors stress that while AI offers promising tools for public health, ensuring these benefits reach all populations equitably—rather than concentrating in wealthy countries—requires deliberate effort and is a crucial responsibility for AI developers and policymakers.

Latin America and the Caribbean have untapped potential: The paper suggests that LAC countries can lead responsible AI innovation for infectious disease response, positioning the region not just as a consumer of AI tools but as a developer of solutions suited to regional needs.