An initiative of Fundación Desarrollo DemocráticoVisit the Foundation ↗
SocIA
Latin American Network
Society - AI
Knowledge · Cooperation · Democracy

Artificial intelligence is transforming the world. Society must shape its future.

A Latin American network connecting cities, universities, organizations, businesses and people to steer artificial intelligence toward human and democratic development.

◇Connect stakeholders and territories
✦Generate knowledge
↗Advance projects
◎Strengthen capabilities
The initiative

A network to think and act from Latin America

SocIA is a space for exchange, research and cooperation, promoting critical analysis and socially valuable uses of artificial intelligence.

We bring institutions and capabilities together to generate knowledge, design joint initiatives and contribute to more inclusive and democratic societies.

The challenge is not merely adopting new technologies, but developing the capabilities to understand them, make them our own and collectively decide how to use them.
Illustrative photo of people and communities in the Global South

Territorial cooperation

Networks among cities, universities and institutions.

Illustrative photo of people and communities in the Global South

Shared knowledge

Evidence, learning and conceptual frameworks for action.

Illustrative photo of people and communities in the Global South

Latin American perspective

Capabilities, identity and democratic development.

Priority program · Global South

Cognitive inequality: understand to transform

Access to artificial intelligence is no longer enough. A new divide concerns the ability to understand information, assess its reliability, turn knowledge into action, decide autonomously and participate in the global knowledge ecosystem.

From Latin America and the Global South, the program examines educational, technological, linguistic, territorial and institutional inequalities, while recognizing often overlooked capabilities such as community knowledge and cultural diversity.

Explore the Global Index →
Research instrument under development

Global Cognitive Inequality Index (GCII / IGDC)

A global research initiative with particular attention to the Global South. Its conceptual framework comprises five dimensions of cognitive capabilities:

01 · Comprehension02 · Discernment03 · Appropriation04 · Agency05 · Identity

Status: conceptual framework and methodology under development. This site presents the project concept only; it publishes no measurements, scores or comparisons.

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Conceptual framework · GCII program

From access to cognitive capability

Inequality in the AI era is not just about who can access tools, but who can use them to understand, decide, create and act.

Access gap→Digital divide→Skills gap→Cognitive divide

Five dimensions, an integrated approach

01

Comprehension

Understand information, complexity and changing environments.

02

Discernment

Assess reliability, evidence, misinformation and uncertainty.

03

Appropriation

Transform knowledge and technology into learning, productivity and innovation.

04

Agency

Decide autonomously and responsibly, and actively shape outcomes.

05

Identity

Ensure languages, cultures and knowledge systems are represented in the digital ecosystem.

A Global South perspective

Making visible what other approaches often overlook

The project recognizes the value of local knowledge, languages and cultures, informal innovation, community networks and the conditions that allow technology to become human capability.

Conceptual presentation based on the GCII research brief; no data or results are published.

Discuss the project ↗
Working together

Areas of action

From knowledge to projects with social, institutional and economic impact.

Education and capabilities

Learn to think better, develop critical thinking and expand opportunities.

Cities and territories

Connect local initiatives to address digital transformation challenges.

Productive innovation

Promote responsible AI use in businesses and innovation ecosystems.

Democracy and governance

Foster deliberation, participation and public governance of AI.

An open and plural network

Who can take part?

SocIA welcomes participants who wish to contribute knowledge, experience and capabilities to joint initiatives.

Universities and research centersCities and local governmentsCivil society organizationsBusinessesInternational organizationsExperts and networks
Let us build a shared agenda

Artificial intelligence with a human purpose and a Latin American perspective.

Would you like to learn more about the Network, the research program or how to participate?