Publications
Artificial Intelligence &
Energy: an overview of
Emerging Practices
Date: November 2025
Authors: Cristina Martínez Pinto and Natalia González Alarcón
Published by: Microsoft and CAF
AI profoundly affects electricity systems by both optimizing production and grid performance (aiding decarbonization) and driving new electricity demand (from data centers). This creates opportunities for efficiency but also risks tied to rising consumption and governance gaps, especially in regions like Latin America and the Caribbean. Policies are needed to ensure AI deployment supports climate goals and sustainable energy transitions.
AI for sustainable agriculture: The case of SciCrop in Brazil
Date: October 2025
Authors: Cristina Martínez Pinto and Lucía Tróchez (co-author)
Published by: Athena Infonomics and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FDCO)
Document available in Spanish.
This blog explores how SciCrop, a Brazilian artificial intelligence platform, is transforming the agricultural sector by helping farmers and companies optimize resources, reduce costs, and improve sustainability. From climate monitoring to crop management, SciCrop integrates multiple data sources into accessible solutions that strengthen the sector’s competitiveness and provide a precision agriculture model for other countries in the region.
Exploring the potential of AI in agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean
Date: October 2025
Authors: Cristina Martínez Pinto and Lucía Tróchez (co-author)
Published by: Athena Infonomics and the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FDCO)
Document available in Spanish.
Artificial intelligence is transforming agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean, from crop monitoring and climate prediction to traceability systems that meet international sustainability standards. Agtech startups, governments, and international organizations are driving solutions that benefit small producers, though challenges such as rural connectivity and the inclusion of women in the digital revolution remain. This blog explores key cases across the region and outlines the challenges and opportunities for building a more innovative, inclusive, and sustainable agricultural future.
Thinking Outside the Bureaucratic Box: Public Innovation Labs in Latin America
Date: October 2024
Authors: David Gómez Álvarez and César Rentería
Published by: Universidad de Guadalajara
Document available in Spanish.
This book brings together leading academics, policymakers, and practitioners to examine the emergence of public innovation labs across Latin America. It explores their theoretical foundations, practical applications, and the challenges they face in transforming public institutions and governance.
One of the chapters, based on a PIT Policy Lab project, was written by Cristina Martínez and Alejandra Sánchez, highlighting the role of innovation labs in advancing gender equality and leveraging new technologies in public policy.
Analysis of the opportunities and challenges of the tourism sector in Costa-Sierra Occidental (Jalisco)
Date: December 2022
Published by: PIT Policy Lab and Secretary of Innovation, Science and Technology of Jalisco.
Document available in Spanish.
This paper was written within the framework of REDi Turismo Innova program. Arturo Constantini and Tatiana Télles, PIT Policy Lab consultants, present recommendations towards the creation of a Smart Destination model for Jalisco and a situational diagnosis on the gender gap in the tourism sector.
Report - Open Data for Anti-corruption State Index
Date: August 2022
Published by: PIT Policy Lab
Document available in Spanish.
In Fall 2021, PIT Policy Lab partnered with a team of four Master of Public Policy students at the McCourt School to create an index to assess how Mexico’s 32 state governments have published open data related to anti-corruption. The team developed a prototype of the Index using a subset of 7 states. This report includes the methodology and results of the Open Data for Anti-corruption State Index. For more information visit: www.policylab.tech/datos-abiertos
Responsible use of technology in Latin America and the Caribbean
Date: November 2021
Published by: Proyecto GuIA by CETyS & Centro Latam Digital. In collaboration with IDB's fAIr LAC.
Document available in Spanish.
This study reviews the concept of responsible use of technology, presenting a balance of the models based on ethics and human rights for their governance, Publications and examples of tools implemented by big tech companies in the Global North are reviewed, as well as good practices and examples implemented by the private sector in Latin America an the Caribbean. It concludes by reflecting on the challenges the region faces towards the future.
Improving Social Media
Date: March 2022
Published by: All Tech Is Human
Translated to Spanish by: PIT Policy Lab.
Original publication in English.
This report features a diverse range of 42 interviews and was developed with 100 collaborators from a broad spectrum of backgrounds. The report proposes a holistic, collective approach to improving social media that includes more voices and perspectives in the process.
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Gender Parity on Candidate Lists and Digital Political Violence in Mexico
Date: November 2021
Published by: PIT Policy Lab in collaboration with PNUD Mexico, Facebook, UNAM Civic Innovation Lab, 50+1, and EMANT Consultants.
Document available in Spanish.
This quantitative research project analyzed official Facebook pages of candidates running for governorships in the 2021 Elections in Mexico, in search for gendered-based political violence. Based on the main findings, we extended a series of recommendations to empower female candidates, for electoral authorities, political parties, as well as for digital platforms.
Addressing Climate Change and Environmental Conservation
Date: September 2021
Published by: AWS Institute
Translated to Spanish by: PIT Policy Lab.
Original publication in English.
Examples of how cloud-based technology is helping scientists and policymakers make better decisions to combat climate change.
LIFT: León Innovating for the Future of Work
Date: August 2021
Published by: EON Resilience Lab by C Minds, IMJU and the Municipality of León, Guanajuato, in collaboration with PIT Policy Lab.
Document available in Spanish.
This report explores policies and actions to address social and technological change associated with the Future of Work in a post-pandemic context, offering a roadmap with recommendations to promote employability and enable entrepreneurship of young people from León, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Civic Technology in Mexico City: Evolution and
Prospective
Date: July 2021
Published by: PIT Policy Lab
Commissioned by: Laboratorio para la Ciudad in 2018.
Document available in Spanish.
This report conceptually explores the field of Civic Technology, identifies emblematic experiences at a global level, recounts the experiences and learnings of the Mexico City case (2011-2018), and offers recommendations for the community of practice.
A National Cloud for Conducting Disinformation Research at Scale
Date: June 2021
Authors: Saiph Savage & Cristina Martínez Pinto
Published by: Day One Project
Document available in English.
To foresee future disinformation attacks and safeguard democracy, a funded one-year pilot of a National Cloud for Disinformation Research (NCDR) is proposed. The NCDR will benefit the U.S. federal government by providing access to data and computational resources needed to combat the threats and harms of disinformation.