At a crucial moment for global democracy—when technology is redefining the rules of politics and democratic processes—the Electoral Tribunal of Panama and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) organized the workshop “Artificial Intelligence for Electoral Actors,” with the support of Microsoft and OpenAI, two key players in the development of cutting-edge technologies.
This high-level workshop brought together electoral authorities from 15 countries across the region, international experts, and representatives of multilateral organizations and civil society to analyze the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) poses for electoral processes. The goal was to strengthen institutional capacities to ensure more transparent, inclusive, and resilient elections in the digital age. The event opened with remarks by Narciso José Arellano Moreno, Presiding Magistrate of the Electoral Tribunal of Panama, and Marcela Ríos Tobar, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at International IDEA.
Presentations by Natalia Zuazo, a recognized expert on technology and democracy, along with Alberto Fernández and Sebastián Becker from IDEA’s Global Democracy and Digitalization Programme, marked the beginning of a deep dialogue on the fundamentals of AI with participants.
A specialized panel on biometric systems in Latin America provided an analysis of the incorporation of this innovation in Colombia, with a focus on rights-based perspectives and the prevention of electoral fraud. Participants included Hernán Penagos, National Registrar of Civil Status of Colombia; Felipe Fuentes, Electoral Magistrate of the Federal Judiciary of Mexico; and civil society representatives Martha Tudón and Lía Hernández. The discussion highlighted the need to balance technological efficiency with the protection of digital and civic rights.
The second day focused on the impact of artificial intelligence on political campaigns, with special attention to the spread of disinformation and hate speech targeting women and marginalized groups. Sebastián Becker and Andrés Rengifo, Director for Latin America at Microsoft’s Cybercrime and Intellectual Property Unit, led a key session that provided participants with tools to identify and mitigate these risks. Later, a second panel addressed AI-related challenges in electoral contexts, drawing valuable lessons from the Brazilian experience and featuring experts such as Estela Aranha, Advisor on Digitalization to the President of Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court; Leopoldo Alfaro; Gustavo Gómez; and Amaro Silveira.
The day concluded with a session dedicated to AI regulations and legislation. This final segment offered an updated overview of emerging legal frameworks around AI, based on IDEA’s latest publication, Artificial Intelligence for Electoral Management. Participants gained a clear understanding of how the implementation of strict standards on transparency, cybersecurity, oversight, auditing, and human supervision can help mitigate some of the risks associated with AI use.
“It is possible to integrate technology into democratic processes without sacrificing fundamental values. From promoting inclusive digital public infrastructure to engaging in global debates on digital governance, we must continue working to ensure that technology strengthens, rather than weakens, democracy,” said Marcela Ríos Tobar.
This workshop was a unique opportunity to collectively reflect on how to ensure that artificial intelligence becomes an ally—not a threat—to democracy.
https://www.idea.int/es/news/panama-es-centro-de-debate-sobre-ia-y-democracia