Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping societies worldwide—but in Latin America, the risks are especially acute. From deepening inequality and mass surveillance to disinformation campaigns and technological dependency, the region faces challenges that could define its future for decades.

At Odisea Labs and the Latin American Dynamism Project (LADP), we believe Ethereum has a unique role to play in addressing these risks. That’s why we’ve launched a new research project: Ethereum-Based Solutions for Mitigating AI Risks in Latin America. This pioneering study explores how Ethereum’s ecosystem can help safeguard communities, strengthen technological sovereignty, and open new economic opportunities in the age of AI.

Latin America is already feeling the disruptive impact of AI. Studies show that nearly 28% of the region’s workforce faces high risk of automation, with disproportionate effects on women, urban workers, and younger populations. Governments across the region—from Argentina to Mexico—are deploying AI in sensitive areas like healthcare, justice, and social welfare, often without transparency or robust oversight. Meanwhile, deepfakes and disinformation are being used in electoral processes across Mexico, Venezuela, and Argentina.

If left unaddressed, these risks could entrench inequality, erode civil liberties, and make Latin America overly dependent on foreign technology. But we believe Ethereum’s stack—its decentralized identity protocols, governance mechanisms, smart contracts, and zero-knowledge tools—can provide a path forward.

This project will explore practical, Ethereum-powered approaches to mitigate AI’s risks, including:

• Privacy & Data Ownership: Leveraging decentralized identity (DID) solutions and zero-knowledge proofs to protect user privacy.

• Reducing Bias: Building decentralized data marketplaces where communities contribute diverse datasets to improve AI fairness.

• Civil Liberties: Introducing democratic governance frameworks for AI surveillance, secured by smart contracts.

• Decentralized AI Development: Encouraging AI training and development on decentralized infrastructure (DePin clusters) in the region.

• New Economic Models: Exploring Ethereum-based DAOs and decentralized workforce streams to offset job losses from automation.

• Technological Sovereignty: Designing fundraising mechanisms on Ethereum to support local AI innovation.

• Fighting Disinformation: Using blockchain-based verification and decentralized reputation systems to combat deepfakes.

Our success will be measured by the publication of the first academic literature addressing how Ethereum can mitigate AI risks in Latin America—paired with actionable policy briefs, community webinars, and pilot project ideas for builders across the region.

Although there is significant research on AI risks in Latin America and on Ethereum’s capabilities, there is almost no academic work connecting the two. We are addressing four key gaps:

1. Interdisciplinary Gap – Bridging blockchain technology with AI governance in a Latin American context.

2. Regional Application Gap – Adapting Ethereum-based approaches to diverse national contexts across the region.

3. Practical Implementation Gap – Providing concrete guidance on how Ethereum solutions can be deployed on the ground.

4. Technological Sovereignty Gap – Showing how Ethereum can help Latin America move from being a consumer of AI to a producer.

This research will provide policymakers, developers, and civil society with frameworks they can actually use.

The project is led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers, technologists, and policy experts:

• Claudio Cifuentes Lobo – Investigative journalist and lead researcher on the Latin American Dynamism Project.

• Cush – Founder of Odisea Labs, Ethereum Foundation Next Billion Fellow, focused on crypto & AI adoption in Latin America.

• Dr. Said Saillant – MIT PhD, Harvard postdoctoral fellow, expert in AI, ethics, and public policy.

• Dr. Beatriz Botero Arcila – Assistant Professor at Sciences Po Law School, Faculty Associate at Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center, expert in law and AI governance.

• Leonardo Quattrucci – Former European Commission policy strategist and AWS executive advisor on public-interest technology.

Together, this team brings deep expertise across Ethereum, AI governance, law, journalism, and regional policy.

Over the coming months, we will:

1. Conduct country-specific case studies across Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico.

2. Engage policymakers, Ethereum developers, and AI leaders through interviews, surveys, and validation workshops.

3. Publish the final report, alongside policy briefs and community webinars to ensure wide accessibility.

This research is supported through a $55,000 grant, covering research time, data collection, community engagement, and dissemination.

This is the first study of its kind, and we want it to spark a broader conversation. By exploring how Ethereum can mitigate AI risks in Latin America, we hope to inspire builders, policymakers, and civil society to take action.

If you’re a developer, policymaker, researcher, or community leader in Latin America interested in contributing, reach out to us. Together, we can ensure AI serves the region’s people—not the other way around.

Follow our progress at Odisea Labs and the Latin American Dynamism Project