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Latin American Countries to Launch Latam-GPT AI Model in September

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A coalition of a dozen Latin American countries is set to launch Latam-GPT, the region’s first large-scale AI language model designed specifically to understand and reflect Latin America’s cultural and linguistic diversity. The project, led by Chile’s National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) and involving over 30 regional institutions, aims to increase AI accessibility and adoption across the continent.

Chilean Science Minister Aisen Etcheverry described Latam-GPT as a “democratizing element for AI,” envisioning its use in sectors such as education and healthcare, with technology that resonates with local culture and languages. Development began in January 2023, focusing on addressing the limitations and inaccuracies found in global AI models primarily trained in English.

Rather than competing directly with commercial AI services like ChatGPT, Latam-GPT is intended as foundational technology to power regional applications including chatbots. One of its highlighted objectives is the preservation of Indigenous languages. The model already includes a translator for Rapa Nui, the native language of Easter Island, with plans to expand support to other Indigenous tongues for use in virtual public service assistants and personalized education tools.

Built on Llama 3 AI technology, the model is trained via a network of computers spanning regional institutions such as Chile’s University of Tarapaca and cloud infrastructure. Support has come from the Latin American development bank CAF and Amazon Web Services.

Although the project currently operates without a dedicated budget, CENIA’s director Alvaro Soto is optimistic that demonstrating Latam-GPT’s capabilities will help secure future funding.

Mexico Closes Antitrust Case Against Google, No Fines Imposed

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Mexico’s Federal Economic Competition Commission (Cofece) announced on Friday the closure of its multi-year antitrust investigation into Google, clearing the tech giant of allegations related to monopolistic practices in the country. The probe, initiated in 2020, focused on Google’s digital advertising services both on its search engine and third-party websites.

Cofece’s investigation examined whether Google’s advertising platform design gave it an unfair advantage over competitors in the digital advertising market. The watchdog concluded that advertisers were not compelled to purchase ads on third-party sites to advertise on Google’s search engine, effectively negating claims of monopoly abuse.

A Google spokesperson welcomed the decision, stating, “We appreciate COFECE’s decision recognizing that our products give advertisers the freedom and control to use our tools in the ways that best suit their needs.”

Had Cofece found Google guilty, the company could have faced fines up to 8% of its annual revenue in Mexico. Although Alphabet does not publicly disclose specific revenue for Mexico, its “other Americas” region, which includes Latin America, generated approximately $20.4 billion in 2024.

Google continues to face antitrust scrutiny worldwide. In the United States, courts have ruled that Google holds unlawful monopolies in online search and advertising technologies. U.S. regulators have pushed for measures including data sharing and divestitures of key advertising assets to foster competition.

MercadoLibre Expands Free Shipping in Brazil to Counter Rising Competition

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MercadoLibre, Latin America’s leading e-commerce platform, announced on Friday a significant expansion of its free shipping policy in Brazil, its largest and most profitable market. The move comes as competition intensifies with rivals like Amazon, Shopee, and emerging players such as Temu gaining traction in the region.

Effective immediately, purchases of 19 reais ($3.40) or more will qualify for free shipping, a sharp reduction from the previous minimum threshold of 79 reais ($14.15). According to Fernando Yunes, head of MercadoLibre’s e-commerce operations in Brazil, “practically the entire site will have free shipping from now on.” This aggressive change aims to boost sales volume across a wider range of products, particularly lower-priced items where competitors have been gaining market share.

Brazil accounts for over 50% of MercadoLibre’s total e-commerce revenue, making the market critical for its overall financial performance. The decision to absorb the financial impact of expanded free shipping underscores the company’s commitment to defending its market leadership. However, Yunes declined to provide specific estimates regarding the cost of the initiative.

The move follows earlier cuts to shipping fees for sellers on the platform, with discounts of up to 40% implemented since late May. Analysts at Itau BBA noted that these changes are strategically targeting product segments where Shopee has been increasingly successful, particularly in lower-priced, high-turnover categories.

While the expanded free shipping is expected to be costly in the short term, MercadoLibre is betting that higher transaction volumes and stronger customer loyalty will offset the immediate financial burden. The company’s long-standing investments in logistics infrastructure, including its proprietary delivery network, provide it with greater flexibility to absorb such aggressive pricing strategies compared to some of its competitors.

MercadoLibre remains Latin America’s most valuable company by market capitalization, but it faces mounting pressure from both established global giants and newer entrants offering highly competitive pricing models. The decision to further lower the free shipping threshold reflects the fierce competition in Brazil’s rapidly growing e-commerce sector, where convenience and price sensitivity remain key drivers of consumer behavior.