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"Shared knowledge with responsible AI"
An Erasmus+ funded academic network fostering ethical AI governance, research collaboration, and talent formation across Ibero-America.
CONVERGE-IA is an academic network that brings together universities, research centers, and institutions across Ibero-America to promote the ethical development and governance of artificial intelligence.
Co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union, the network focuses on building regional capabilities for responsible AI through collaboration, training, and applied research.
Our goal is to strengthen multistakeholder alliances between academia, government, industry, and civil society to ensure AI serves communities with transparency, fairness, and respect for human rights.
"To foster a collaborative ecosystem of academic institutions committed to the ethical governance of artificial intelligence, ensuring technology serves human well-being and regional development."
Artificial intelligence is profoundly transforming our societies. Academia has a fundamental role to play.
Without clear ethical frameworks, AI can amplify biases, violate rights, and deepen existing inequalities.
Latin America requires developing its own capabilities to avoid depending on external solutions that ignore its context.
Universities are privileged spaces for critical reflection, independent research, and talent formation.
No institution can address these challenges alone. Collaboration multiplies capabilities and impact.
Academia must inform and participate in the design of evidence-based AI regulations and policies.
AI must serve people and communities, respecting their dignity, rights, and cultural diversity.
The values that guide all our actions and decisions
Commitment to moral principles that guarantee the responsible and beneficial development of AI.
Ensure that the benefits of AI reach all people, without discrimination or exclusion.
Explainable, auditable, and understandable AI systems to generate trust and accountability.
The consortium of institutions driving the network
Join a community of institutions committed to the ethical and responsible development of artificial intelligence in our region.
International context, conceptual foundations, and the strategic role of Latin America in the ethical governance of artificial intelligence.
UNESCO adopted in 2021 the first Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, establishing universal principles for the development and use of AI.
The OECD has promoted principles of trustworthy AI, while the Ibero-American Charter on AI adapts these frameworks to the Latin American regional context.
Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (2021) - Universal framework for human-centered AI.
Principles of Trustworthy AI - Guidelines for responsible and transparent AI systems.
Regional adaptation of ethical principles for the Ibero-American context.
Opportunity to define own regulatory frameworks that reflect regional values and needs.
Potential to develop AI solutions that address specific local problems.
Need to train human talent in the development and ethical governance of AI.
Importance of preserving cultural and linguistic diversity in AI systems.
Building inclusive and socially responsible innovation ecosystems.
Strengthening South-South cooperation in research and technological development.
A historic commitment
"Universities have the responsibility to lead ethical reflection on emerging technologies and train citizens capable of participating in decisions that affect the future of their communities."
Higher education institutions are privileged spaces to address the ethical challenges of artificial intelligence from multiple perspectives.
They have the capacity to convene diverse actors and foster the interdisciplinary dialogue necessary for effective governance.
Key milestones in international AI governance
2019
First international principles for trustworthy AI.
2021
First global normative instrument on AI ethics.
2023
Regional consensus on AI centered on human rights.
2024
Foundation of the pioneering academic network in the region.
CONVERGE-IA maintains an active dialogue with national AI governance initiatives, such as the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of Costa Rica (ENIA-CR), contributing technical and academic inputs.
This articulation allows academic advancements to inform public policies, while government needs guide the network's applied research.
The strategic commitments and lines of work that guide CONVERGE-IA activities.
Facilitate the mobility of researchers, teachers, and students between member institutions to strengthen shared capabilities.
Develop curricular programs and educational resources on AI ethics adapted to the Latin American context.
Promote joint projects that address local problems using AI in a responsible and sustainable manner.
Contribute with evidence and technical recommendations to the formulation of public policies on AI in the region.
Establish collaboration bridges between academia, government, industry, and civil society.
Promote a culture of technological development that prioritizes human rights and social well-being.
Four fundamental pillars that structure the network's work
Area 1
• Integration of AI ethics in university curricula.
• Open courses and resources for teachers.
Area 2
• Interdisciplinary collaborative projects.
• Publication of regional case studies.
Area 3
• Technical advice to governments and organizations.
• AI policy observatory.
Area 4
• Network of laboratories and shared infrastructure.
• Annual events and conferences.
Select institutional or individual membership to access the registration forms.
University or research center
Full membership with access to all benefits of the network for your institution.
Researcher, teacher or professional
Individual participation in training and research activities of the network.
Have questions? Write to us at ethicalai_ue_ciodd@ucr.ac.cr
Materials, guides, tools, and reference documents for the ethical development of artificial intelligence.
Reference document establishing principles, decision-making structure, and institutional responsibilities.
Step-by-step tool to evaluate AI systems focusing on bias, transparency, and human rights.
Self-directed course for teachers and managers on principles of ethics in AI development.
Digital tool to audit and document compliance with ethical principles in AI systems.
Analysis of cases of AI implementation in Latin American higher education institutions.
Adaptable template for institutions to develop internal AI policies aligned with CONVERGE-IA.
Resources, documents, and tools are currently being developed. They will be available for download once published. Join the network to be notified.
Active initiatives where you can participate and contribute to the ethical development of artificial intelligence.
Development and implementation of training courses for university teachers on integrating ethical competencies in AI teaching. Includes active methodologies, case studies, and open resources.
Coordinator: Universidad de Costa Rica | Participants: 0 institutions
Seeking research teams for projects focused on impact analysis of AI systems on human rights. Funding available for applied research.
Duration: TBD | Eligible: Universities and R&D Centers in Ibero-America
Monitoring and analysis of regulatory frameworks, policies, and AI governance practices in Ibero-American countries. Generation of annual reports and dialogue spaces.
Coordinator: CONVERGE-IA | Participants: Multisectoral
Pilot initiative to co-create and validate ethical AI solutions in collaboration with public agencies. Emphasis on health, education, and justice.
Modality: Co-creation | Spots: TBD
Stay up to date with the latest developments, academic forums, and announcements from the CONVERGE-IA network.
UNED (Universidad Estatal a Distancia) offers a self-paced introductory course on the fundamentals, principles, and practices of artificial intelligence. The training is completely free and open for everyone, with an official certificate of completion awarded to participants who obtain a final grade of 8.0 or higher.
From May 25 to 27, 2026, IES Abastos in Valencia, Spain, hosted the Valencia Staff Week, an international activity developed within the framework of the Ethical AI project under the European Union's Erasmus+ programme. The event adopted the format of an ethical hackathon entitled 'EthicalAIthon'—an international forum for academic exchange, collaboration, and innovation oriented toward developing intervention proposals to address gaps in the ethical use of artificial intelligence within the educational context.
The University of Costa Rica hosted the second "EthicalAI" transnational in-person training delivered by the University of Valencia (Spain) and Sapienza University of Rome (Italy). Professors, researchers, and administrators from Costa Rica and Peru convened for an intensive 3-day program to test, validate, and prepare for institutional replication of the project's online Toolkit across Latin America.
Comprehensive support for your institution to develop and implement ethical AI governance frameworks.
Without clear governance frameworks, institutions face risks of malpractice, regulatory non-compliance, and loss of trust. CONVERGE-IA offers specialized support to build governance systems adapted to your context.
Four structured phases to implement ethical AI governance in your institution
Comprehensive assessment of institutional capabilities, existing policies, and specific AI needs.
~2-3 weeks
Co-creation of the governance framework with internal stakeholders (academics, managers, researchers).
~4-6 weeks
Launch of the framework, training of key teams, and establishment of processes.
~3-4 months
Tracking, impact assessment, and continuous improvement of the implemented framework.
Sustained
Institutions interested in integrating ethical governance in AI research and teaching.
Units that develop AI technologies and need specific governance frameworks.
Government institutions implementing responsible AI solutions.
Request a free initial consultation with our specialized team to learn how we can support your institution.
Tell us about your institution and your specific needs. Our team will provide personalized advice to implement an ethical AI governance framework.
Complete this form and an AI governance specialist will contact you within 5 business days.
We will contact you within 5 business days to discuss your needs.
Specialized team in ethical AI governance with international experience.
Framework adapted to your institutional context and specific needs.
Do you have a relevant document, important news, or valuable resource to share with the CONVERGE-IA community? Suggest it here. Our editorial team will review and publish it if it meets our standards.
Complete the form and our team will review your contribution. Selected content will be published in the CONVERGE-IA repository with corresponding credits.
Your suggestion is received by our editorial team.
Relevance, quality, and alignment with CONVERGE-IA are validated (3-7 days).
We notify you if it was accepted and when it will be published.
Your content is published with credits in the repository.
We are here to answer your questions, receive proposals, and facilitate your connection with the network.
Social media channels coming soon. Stay tuned for updates.
The support of the European Union for the production of this communication does not constitute an endorsement of its content, which reflects only the opinion of the authors. The Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.
