AI Horizons: Dialogues on AI in the Global South

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White Paper: AI Horizons: Dialogues on AI in the Global South

Global North conversations about AI tend to focus on geopolitical competition and frontier models — trillion-parameter systems trained on massive GPU clusters. That misses where the AI revolution is actually happening: in the hands of everyday people in the Global South, using tools that fit their local needs. In these regions, AI innovation is often solving problems frontier developers don't even know exist.

This report synthesizes Meridian's AI Horizons roundtables held from April 2026-June 2026, focusing on three Global South regions: Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa. We brought together cross-sector expertise--from entrepreneurs to technology leaders, academics to nonprofit leaders, diplomats to diaspora--to invite insights on what are the barriers in these regions and what are the opportunities. Across regions, the same barriers came up: weak infrastructure, limited compute, scattered data, talent shortages, low institutional trust. So did the similar opportunities: small and open AI, diaspora engagement, workforce development, regional collaboration. The throughline was recognition that durable AI in the Global South can't just be imported. Instead, it has to be co-created — built to strengthen local capacity and let countries shape AI's future instead of merely adopting it.

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Programming

AI Horizons: Africa

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes economic systems and governance structures worldwide, Africa stands at a pivotal inflection point, contending simultaneously with the promise of technological leapfrogging and the risk of deepening digital inequality. On April 17, 2026, against the backdrop of the World Bank Spring Meetings, Meridian International Center convened a roundtable discussion, AI Horizons: Africa.   The discussion brought together diplomats, tech sector leaders, diaspora entrepreneurs, multilateral institution representatives, and development professionals to examine African agency and impact on AI. 

Key Takeaways

AI Horizons: Latin America

On May 19, 2026, Meridian International Center convened the second installment in a series of roundtable discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Global South. “AI Horizons: Latin America” brought together individuals from across diplomacy, technology, academia, and entrepreneurship to discuss how the region can stay ahead of the impacts of AI and boost the development of local-led initiatives, while still contending with critical gaps in cooperation, education, and investment.  

Key Takeaways

AI Horizons: Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is home to some of the world's biggest investors in artificial intelligence (AI), yet the region also faces deep disparities in literacy, infrastructure, and integration across the region. On June 15, 2026, Meridian International Center convened a roundtable discussion on AI in the MENA region, bringing together voices from across technology, policy, entrepreneurship, and regional affairs to examine the region’s evolving AI landscape. Participants discussed how the region can strengthen local talent, expand opportunity, and build more connected innovation ecosystems while navigating persistent challenges in coordination, investment, and long-term development. 

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways