Panama presented the RAM results and advanced toward a human-centered Artificial Intelligence

On July 30, the Government of Panama, through the National Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SENACYT), launched its National Strategies on Artificial Intelligence, Semiconductors, and Microelectronics during an official ceremony held in Panama City. The event was attended by the President of the Republic and representatives of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries. As part of the launch, UNESCO presented the results of the Readiness Assessment Methodology for Artificial Intelligence (RAM), the tool Panama used to measure its level of preparedness for this technology.

The presentation was delivered by Guillermo Anlló, UNESCO Regional Specialist in charge of the Science and Technology Policy Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean. He emphasized that the three strategies launched by Panama represented a statement of intent regarding the kind of country it aspired to become in the coming decades: "one that chooses to design its technological future from within, guided by its own values and priorities."

The RAM is UNESCO's primary instrument for putting into practice the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, unanimously adopted in November 2021 by the Organization's 193 Member States, including Panama. More than seventy countries worldwide have already implemented the methodology, and Panama completed the process this year. The assessment examines five dimensions-legal; social and cultural; scientific and educational; economic; and technical and infrastructure-related-to establish a baseline that helps identify strengths, gaps, and public policy priorities.

The process in Panama was carried out under the technical leadership of SENACYT, with coordination from UNESCO and support from UNDP, and was implemented in two phases. The first involved desk research and document review, while the second focused on multi-stakeholder validation through four in-person sessions held in March 2026 in Panama City, Chitré, and David. Nearly eighty participants from government, academia, the private sector, the fintech ecosystem, civil society, and international organizations took part.

Regarding the process, SENACYT Secretary Dr. Ortega Barría stated:

"The RAM Report was the result of a rigorous and multi-stakeholder process that reflects Panama's commitment to responsible innovation and marks a milestone in the comprehensive and participatory assessment of the country's readiness for artificial intelligence. The collaboration between UNESCO and SENACYT made it possible to build a shared vision for strengthening national capacities, promoting inclusive governance, and laying the foundations for a trustworthy, competitive AI ecosystem aligned with international standards."

The assessment identified structural assets that are uncommon in the region, including macroeconomic stability, a strategic geographic position as an interoceanic corridor, seven active submarine cables, a predominantly renewable electricity matrix, and carbon-negative country status. It also highlighted social strengths such as gender parity in internet access and a favorable public perception of artificial intelligence approaching seventy percent. At the same time, it documented key gaps, including investment in research and development of 0.16 percent of GDP, compared to a national target of one percent by 2029, and an estimated AI-driven economic potential of between 2.1 percent and 4 percent of annual GDP, versus current utilization of approximately 0.4 percent.

During the assessment process, Panama also made progress on concrete policy measures, including the creation by executive decree of the National Commission for Critical and Emerging Technologies and its Artificial Intelligence Subcommission, chaired by SENACYT; the approval in first debate by the National Assembly of Bill 588 on adaptive governance for artificial intelligence; and the country's inclusion as a strategic partner in the Latam GPT project.

The final RAM report concluded with nineteen public policy recommendations, including the formal adoption and implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Policy, the consolidation of institutional governance structures, the integration of ethical and technical criteria into public technology procurement, the expansion of digital literacy through the Infoplazas network, and progress toward a sustainable AI policy that leverages Panama's carbon-negative status.

UNESCO closed the process by renewing its commitment to support Panama in implementing the newly launched strategies and the RAM recommendations. The process stands as a national achievement, built under the leadership of SENACYT and with the participation of dozens of institutions and individuals from both the capital and other regions of the country.