Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of daily life, from navigation and messaging to food delivery and transport organization. For Guatemala, the focus is not on whether AI will influence society, but on ensuring its impact is positive, inclusive, and accessible to all. AI represents a historic opportunity to modernize public services, build trust between citizens and government, and develop fairer, more efficient solutions. In line with this vision, Red Ciudadana, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is advancing Inclusive Municipal AI through the Joint Programme on Digital Transformation, funded by the Joint SDG Fund with support from the European Union and 16 Member States. The initiative is grounded in local realities, guided by ethical principles, and shaped by the participation of residents and municipal workers across Guatemala.
Municipalities are the frontline of public service delivery, handling responsibilities ranging from public lighting and water management to construction permits and urban planning. In this context, AI is not a luxury but a tool to strengthen institutional capacity. It can help municipalities organize citizen reports, guide residents through administrative procedures, anticipate service disruptions, and analyze patterns to improve planning and decision-making. The real value of Municipal AI comes from responding to concrete community priorities, respecting human rights, and reducing inequalities rather than exacerbating them.
The Inclusive AI project builds on UNDP and Red Ciudadana’s experience in promoting transparency, participation, and public sector innovation. Since August 2025, the collaboration has focused on several key areas. A community-based digital literacy program, targeting women, youth, and older adults, strengthened basic digital skills and introduced AI concepts to reduce technological barriers. Specialized training for municipal officials helped teams understand AI, its practical applications, and the ethical responsibilities associated with its use in public institutions. Participatory processes identified real municipal use cases where AI could improve services, such as citizen support, service management, territorial planning, and cadastral systems. Initial prototypes of AI solutions were collaboratively developed with municipal teams to enhance responsiveness, automate tasks, and strengthen transparency.
In early 2026, the AI for Local Development Challenge will launch to foster innovative AI solutions addressing local public challenges. The initiative encourages collaboration among civil society, academia, the private sector, and local governments to co-create ethical, inclusive, and people-centered AI tools. Through technical support, mentoring, and opportunities to present proposals, the challenge aims to build a local innovation ecosystem and scale sustainable municipal solutions.
Advancing Inclusive AI in Guatemala is ultimately a human and territorial process. It prioritizes listening to communities, strengthening local capacities, and building trust between citizens and public institutions. When responsibly designed and implemented, AI can help municipalities respond effectively to daily needs while promoting equitable, transparent, and people-centered local governance.
