Archive the AI bill, not Ecuador’s AI development

Archiving a deficient law may be responsible. Archiving Ecuador’s development of artificial intelligence along with it would be a serious mistake, the article argues.

On August 31, 2026, a majority of members of the National Assembly’s Commission for Education, Culture, Science, Technology, Innovation and Ancestral Knowledge approved a report for the first debate of Ecuador’s AI bill. The commission recommended shelving the proposal because it considered the text overregulated, institutionally problematic and poorly coordinated with existing law. It also warned that the bill could obstruct innovation.

The proposal emerged from three bills submitted in 2024. Patricia Núñez presented a bill on regulating and promoting artificial intelligence on June 20. Karina Subía submitted a bill focused on fostering and developing AI on July 30. Pierina Correa presented legislation on digital use and artificial intelligence for children and adolescents on September 17. The commission combined the three proposals during 2025 into a single organic AI bill.

After more than two years of work, the proposal now faces the full Assembly. Lawmakers can accept the recommendation and archive it, or continue the legislative process.

The article points to a separate government strategy unveiled in March 2026 by the then Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society. Covering 2025 to 2029, the strategy aims to make Ecuador a regional reference for ethical, responsible and inclusive AI use. Its goals include developing talent, strengthening research and education, expanding digital infrastructure and computing capacity, supporting startups and investment, creating technical standards and risk-management mechanisms, and encouraging substantial adoption by companies and public institutions.

The article says Ecuador ranks 10th among 19 Latin American and Caribbean countries in the 2025 Latin American Artificial Intelligence Index, describing the country as an AI adopter.