Sovereign AI and the Future Mexico Wants to Write

Mexico just took off its gloves and stepped into the AI ring alongside nations like the United States, China, France, Chile, and several others betting on Sovereign AI. If you’ve followed my columns, you know Sovereign AI is deeply personal to me and will be one of the central areas of my graduate work at Harvard University—specifically focused on designing public financing mechanisms, particularly sovereign wealth funds, that allow countries to sustainably fund the development of these national technological capabilities. Seeing Mexico and other countries in the Global South take the reins of their digital futures is not only inspiring—it’s necessary.

The Government of Mexico, in strategic partnership with NVIDIA and the private sector through the Business Coordinating Council, is taking the bold step of developing national large language models that will include not only Mexican Spanish but also living indigenous languages such as Náhuatl, Zapotec, and Mixtec. The bet? That more than 5 million university students and 5 million Mexican businesses will have access to AI systems that authentically reflect the country’s cultural and linguistic diversity, and position Mexico as a regional leader in artificial intelligence across the Spanish-speaking world.

Mexico AI+

The Mexico AI+ | Accelerated Investment initiative will be officially launched on November 12 and 13 in Mexico City, alongside the debut of the national language model. The program aims to attract $9.2 billion in direct investment and $27 billion in indirect economic impact through the installation of more than 70 data centers. This plan prioritizes the large-scale training of specialized talent, strengthening the venture capital ecosystem, and strategic investment in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, health, and energy. It also sets a timeline of just over two years to deliver verifiable progress that will consolidate sustainable national capabilities—the kind that, by their nature, require a long-term financial vehicle to sustain them beyond any single budget cycle.

One critical element still missing from the program is the creation of a sovereign wealth fund dedicated exclusively to artificial intelligence. Mexico’s experience with instruments such as the Fondo de Estabilización de los Ingresos Presupuestarios and the Fondo Mexicano del Petróleo para la Estabilización y el Desarrollo—both overseen by governance committees, public operating rules, and periodic transparency reports—shows the country already has solid institutional foundations to build on. A vehicle specialized in AI could build on that foundation while also drawing inspiration from international benchmarks like Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, or the United Arab Emirates’ Mubadala, which have combined independent governance, clear investment mandates, and long-term impact metrics. Integrating those lessons would strengthen Mexico’s ability to ensure countercyclical, sustained investment that fuels technological sovereignty for generations to come.

Mexico’s Most Valuable Asset

As Mexico’s population continues to grow and develop talent for the era of advanced artificial intelligence, there must be broader, sustainable investment that turns that human capital into a true strategic advantage. That means creating opportunities in a predictable and stable way, so that anyone who wants to can plan and build their AI-driven future in Mexico. Having worked in both developed and developing markets for nearly two decades, I’ve seen highly skilled graduates leave their home countries for opportunities in Europe, the United States, and Canada. There are dozens of other benefits to having a sovereign wealth fund focused on AI, but this is one of the clearest examples without getting overly technical.

From my classroom at EGADE Business School, where I teach courses on AI ethics, governance, and applications for the future of work, I often remind my brilliant students of something that applies far beyond class: your business, your technology, and your advanced AI only work when you put users, citizens, and society at the center—with a long-term view. Mexico must manage its human capital for the AI era in the same way (or better) than it managed its petroleum resources in the previous era. Otherwise, many brilliant people will leave for other markets where they can better apply the skills that will come from the Mexico AI+ initiative.

From National Strategy to Your Personal Plan

If Mexico can align investment, strategy, and talent, the Mexico AI+ initiative could become the starting point for a decade of growth in artificial intelligence. But for that potential to materialize, it’s not enough for governments or companies to act—every professional, entrepreneur, and student has a direct role in how this opportunity is realized. So, what can you do to make the most of it? Here are some best practices to keep you in the game and ahead of your competition:

• Keep an eye out for events, initiatives, and new programs—online or in your city—related to Mexico AI+.

• Start learning more about AI so you can act quickly as more resources, funding, and opportunities become available. Remember: the better prepared you are, the more likely you are to be selected when spots are limited (which is almost always the case when money or prestige is involved).

• Develop your personal AI strategy for your life, career, and business, and align it with what you identify in the step above.

• Don’t get overwhelmed. Things are moving fast, but if you’re reading this column—and my other pieces on AI—you’re already ahead of 99% of people. Lucky you!

• Make it part of who you are. I always tell my students that learning will be a constant in their lives, so they might as well start enjoying it now.

We’ve all said at some point (yes, me too) that if we had known something was going to happen when we were “x” years younger, we would have seized the opportunity. Well, consider this your big, bright, unmistakable signal to start—or continue—your path in artificial intelligence with deliberate intent. Don’t say I didn’t warn you: the future is starting now, and every step you take today will be part of how Mexico turns its investment in talent and innovation into real results.

And yes, I know you’re now very interested in sovereign wealth funds. In an upcoming column, I’ll explain how they work and why they can be one of the most powerful tools for sustaining technological innovation and the long-term value of human capital. Investing in our people and our technology is investing in Mexico’s ability to lead in the decades ahead.

Originally published in Spanish for Fast Company Mexico:
https://fastcompany.mx/2025/08/12/ia-soberana-futuro-mexico-escribir/