The Province of Buenos Aires has taken a historic step by formalizing the first local regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI) in Argentina. Through Resolution 9/2025, the Subsecretariat of Digital Government established mandatory requirements governing the development, procurement, and use of AI technologies across the entire provincial public sector. This initiative marks a significant milestone as governments around the world accelerate efforts to define clear, ethical, and responsible rules for the adoption of emerging technologies.
Mandatory Criteria for Public Agencies
The new resolution sets a comprehensive series of parameters that all AI systems used within provincial agencies must follow. These criteria include transparency, safety, protection of fundamental rights, and institutional accountability, as well as controls that ensure privacy and full traceability of automated decision-making processes.
The text aligns with international discussions led by bodies such as the European Union, the OECD, and UNESCO, which have been pushing for global standards on trustworthy and human-centered AI. By drawing from these debates, Buenos Aires establishes a framework that seeks to balance technological innovation with democratic safeguards.
One of the core elements of the regulation is the emphasis on preventive measures. Public entities must implement robust protections to prevent unauthorized access, data leaks, or misuse of sensitive information stored in official databases. The resolution also outlines guidelines for responsible and people-centered AI, ensuring that technology serves the public interest without undermining rights or creating new forms of inequality.
Risk-Based Classification of AI Systems
A key component of the framework is its risk-based classification system, which categorizes AI tools according to their potential impact on individuals and public services.
- Unacceptable-risk systems are expressly banned. These include uses that manipulate human behavior, exploit vulnerabilities, or create social scoring mechanisms that could discriminate or negatively affect citizens.
- High-risk systems, such as biometric identification tools or AI applied to critical infrastructure, public safety, or judicial processes, will be subjected to strict impact assessments before they can be deployed. These evaluations must demonstrate that the technology is safe, reliable, and aligned with institutional responsibilities.
- Limited-risk and minimal-risk systems face fewer requirements but must still show that their implementation is reasonable, proportional, and respectful of privacy and user autonomy.
This tiered approach allows the province to prioritize oversight where it matters most, without hindering the adoption of lower-risk innovations that can improve efficiency and accessibility in public services.
Provincial Registry and User Notifications
Under the new rules, all public bodies must clearly notify individuals whenever they are interacting with automated systems. This requirement seeks to reinforce transparency and empower citizens to understand when AI is influencing a process or service.
Additionally, every AI tool, regardless of its risk level, must be registered in the newly created Provincial Registry of Artificial Intelligence, which will be managed by the Provincial Directorate of Digital Innovation. The registry will serve as a central oversight mechanism, enabling authorities to monitor the use, evolution, and compliance of AI technologies across government agencies.
Reactions and Future Outlook
Experts consulted after the announcement emphasized that Buenos Aires is now the first Argentine jurisdiction to adopt formal rules for technologies already integrated into areas such as public administration, security, healthcare, and data management. Analysts believe this framework could become a precedent for other provinces and even encourage the national Congress to develop its own legislative proposals for AI governance.
The establishment of this regulatory framework represents a proactive step toward ensuring that technological progress occurs with transparency, accountability, and protection of citizens’ rights. As AI continues to expand its role in public services, Buenos Aires aims to position itself at the forefront of ethical and responsible innovation in Latin America.