The Latin America Supplement
Mexico’s AI Talent Pipeline Accelerates
Universities Step Up to Meet Demand
As demand from employers and students increases for AI skills, universities around Mexico are creating new programmes and courses.
By Niamh Ollerton
“Without the right governance, social frameworks, and environmental strategies, Latin America’s vast natural resources risk being exploited.”
“We must prepare professionals who not only understand the urgency of sustainability but who can lead and innovate responsibly.”
In Brief
- Mexico's universities are rapidly expanding, with 43 new AI degree programmes to meet surging demand from industries and students seeking future-proof careers.
- Public and private institutions like are driving this shift, as over 40% of Mexican companies already use AI and job offers in the field soared by 95% in 2023.
- Despite challenges like faculty recruitment and funding gaps, this AI education boom, supported by strong public sentiment towards science, positions Mexico to become a global leader in AI innovation and talent.
Mexico’s higher education system is undergoing a striking transformation.
Just a few years ago, degree programmes explicitly dedicated to AI were rare. However, according to data from the National Association of Universities and Institutions of Higher Education (ANUIES), there are now 43 AI-focused degree programmes, 24 at undergraduate level and 19 at graduate level, across the country serving approximately 3,600 students.
The increase of specialised AI programmes seems to be answering the call for AI growth in industry. According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) more than 40 percent of Mexican companies already use AI-based solutions in their daily operations. As industries increasingly adapt to the demands of the digital era, so does the need for AI-literate professionals.
Universities in Mexico are responding to the demand, building curricula that prepare students not just to understand AI, but to shape its application in ways that benefit Mexico’s economy and society.
Public and Private Institutions Driving Change
Public heavyweights Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN) and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) are making significant moves in the space.
IPN, long known for its STEM leadership launched an undergraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, signalling the importance of enhancing AI knowledge in its academic mission today.
UNAM is currently leveraging its vast research infrastructure, including the “Miztli” supercomputer to support AI research projects across disciplines.
And although UNAM doesn’t explicitly offer an AI-dedicated programme, its recently partnered with Google to launch a 150-hour diploma to strengthen AI and data skills, supporting Mexico's shift toward a tech-driven economy.
Private universities have been equally ambitious with AI too. Tecnológico de Monterrey has embedded AI into its innovation and entrepreneurship-focused culture, offering applied AI programmes that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
Universidad Iberoamericana integrates ethical considerations into its AI curriculum, ensuring graduates can navigate the complex societal implications of emerging technologies.
Universidad Panamericana offers a Bachelor of Engineering in Artificial Intelligence, combining technical foundations with exposure to cybersecurity, robotics and autonomous systems.
Regional Expansion Beyond the Capital
Implementation isn’t reserved for the capital city, demonstrating the significance of this wave of AI education across the country.
Mexico City remains a hub, but regional universities such as the University of Guadalajara (UdeG), Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) and Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (BUAP) have all begun introducing AI-related programmes.
Expanding into industrially-dynamic states such as Querétaro, Nuevo León and Jalisco was a strategic choice. These regions host advanced manufacturing, aerospace and technology clusters that increasingly rely on AI-driven processes as we move further into the digital era.
Universities offering localised access to AI education have advantage against the competition in their regional economies by retaining talent, while also preparing students and graduates for national demand.
The Forces Behind the Growth
A combination of factors is fuelling the expansion in AI, the first being undeniable industry demand.
Over two-fifths of companies already use AI tools, meaning hiring graduates who can develop, implement and maintain AI solutions from day one offers organisations a competitive advantage.
Evolving government policy has also been a driving force. National strategies to promote innovation and digital transformation, often in partnership with universities, are incentivising institutions to invest in AI research and teaching.
In 2024, Microsoft announced it would invest US$1.3 billion in Mexico to strengthen the country’s cloud and AI infrastructure through the Artificial Intelligence National Skills Initiative.
The initiative aims to train 5 million people on the appropriate use of AI tools for three years, making it a considerable opportunity considering that job offers related to AI and data science in Mexico grew by 95 percent in 2023, according to Jorge Torres, Director of the School of Engineering and Technology at the International University of La Rioja (UNIR).
Universities recognise that AI is not just another subject area, but a discipline that intersects with virtually every field, from law to medicine to social sciences. By positioning themselves early as leaders in AI education, institutions aim to attract top students, strengthen international partnerships, and enhance their global rankings.
Perspectives from Leaders and Students
University leaders in Mexico see the evolving AI landscape in education as both a challenge and an opportunity.
Administrators see the inclusion of AI programmes as a way to future-proof their institutions while contributing to Mexico’s innovation capacity.
Faculty members see the value, and potential difficulties, too, emphasising the need to balance technical instruction with broader competencies such as ethical reasoning, project management and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
As the era of digital natives edges ever closer, students see the value in AI, embracing AI-focused programmes as gateways to careers that are future-proof and high-impact.
Some students are drawn to the tangible applications of the technology and the ways it can improve the industry or sector they wish to build a career in. For example, applying machine learning to environmental monitoring, using AI to improve patient care or optimising logistics in the manufacturing sector.
Others are utilising AI studies for entrepreneurial dreams, with learned knowledge acting as a springboard to develop their own tech startups.
Challenges to Overcome
Although many universities are demonstrating enthusiasm in the field, the rapid rise of AI programmes poses its own set of challenges.
One particular hurdle is the recruitment and retention of faculty with advanced AI expertise, particularly as global demand for such talent intensifies.
Locating talent is one thing, but building and maintaining the necessary infrastructure to succeed, like specialised laboratories and high-performance computing facilities, requires significant investment.
Accessibility throughout the nation, however, is one such challenge that needs addressing to give all institutions a fighting chance in the field.
Central and northern states benefit from strong industry-university links and greater resources, while institutions in southern and more rural areas often struggle to secure funding for cutting-edge programmes.
If Mexico is to develop a truly inclusive AI talent strategy, bridging this gap will be essential. Collaboration across industry and institutions is a crucial piece of the puzzle for the success of all.
Universities need meaningful engagement with employers, through internships, co-designed curricula and joint research projects, to ensure AI education addresses the skills and experiences required from graduates in the workplace today and in the future.
A Society Ready for Science and Technology
The argument, and the support, for scientific advancement by the Mexican public is strong.
According to a State of Science Insights survey, conducted by 3M Company and Morning Consult, 96 percent of Mexican respondents said science was important for societal advancement, particularly in light of global challenges such as climate change and emerging technologies.
This positive sentiment towards science within Mexico bodes well for AI education, providing societal endorsement for the investments and reforms required to sustain its growth.
It isn’t just formal degree programmes gaining traction in the thirst for AI knowledge, alternative learning pathways such as coding bootcamps are increasingly sought after, too.
Institutions like 4Geeks Academy in Mexico City and Le Wagon offer shorter, intensive courses in AI and related fields, complementing traditional university education and expanding opportunities for reskilling and upskilling.
Looking Ahead
The momentum behind AI education in Mexico shows no signs of slowing. As more universities launch AI-focused degrees and expand related research, the number of graduates with advanced AI skills will grow substantially.
The impact will extend far beyond filling vacancies in the tech sector: AI-trained professionals will shape innovations in healthcare, public administration, energy and creative industries.
For universities, the challenge will be to maintain programme quality while scaling enrolment, to ensure equitable access across regions, and to keep curricula aligned with fast-moving technological developments.
For students, the opportunity is unprecedented: to position themselves at the forefront of one of the most transformative forces of our time.
In this convergence of institutional ambition, societal readiness, and industry demand, Mexico’s AI talent pipeline is emerging as a powerful engine of national growth.
The universities investing in AI today are not only meeting the labour market needs of tomorrow, they are helping to shape Mexico’s role in the global AI landscape.