AI regulation in Costa Rica: laws & policy (2026)
AI in Costa Rica: proposed.
Costa Rica became the first Central American country to adopt a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (ENIA 2024-2027) in October 2024, establishing ethical and governance principles for AI use across public and private sectors. No binding AI legislation has been enacted; at least three AI-specific bills remain under active debate in the Legislative Assembly as of 2026. The country relies on the ENIA strategy, existing data-protection law (Law 8968), and voluntary alignment with OECD AI principles while comprehensive legislation is pending.
Legal framework
National AI Strategy (ENIA 2024-2027) led by MICITT; no enacted AI law, multiple bills pending in the Legislative Assembly
Key points: artificial intelligence in Costa Rica
National AI Strategy (ENIA 2024-2027)
MICITT officially launched the Estrategia Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (ENIA) on 24 October 2024, making Costa Rica the first Central American nation with a dedicated national AI policy. The strategy's five pillars are: ethical/responsible AI, talent development, innovation and competitiveness, governance and regulation, and inclusion and sustainability.
Pending AI Bills in Legislature
Three AI-specific bills are under active debate in the Legislative Assembly: Expediente 23771 (Ley de Regulación de la Inteligencia Artificial, filed May 2023), Expediente 23919 (Ley para la Promoción Responsable de la Inteligencia Artificial, filed September 2023), and Expediente 24484 (Ley para la Implementación de Sistemas de Inteligencia Artificial, filed August 2024). None have been enacted as of early 2026.
ISO/IEC 42001 AI Management Standard
In March 2026 Costa Rica formalized INTE/ISO/IEC 42001:2026, adapting the international ISO/IEC 42001 standard for AI management systems. This provides a voluntary framework for responsible and trustworthy AI governance across public and private sector organizations.
Data Protection Reform (Bill 23097)
The Legislative Assembly is reviewing Bill 23097, which would align the existing data-protection regime (Law 8968) with EU GDPR standards. If enacted, it would strengthen obligations for AI developers and data controllers, adding algorithmic transparency and accountability requirements.
International AI Governance Engagement
Costa Rica participates in the OECD AI Governance Committee (AIGO), the Global Partnership on AI (GPAI), and the Hiroshima AI Process. The ENIA was developed with EU support and is explicitly aligned with OECD AI Principles, positioning Costa Rica as a regional reference for ethical AI governance.
No Sector-Specific AI Bans or Mandatory Rules
As of May 2026, Costa Rica has no enacted sector-specific AI rules, no mandatory conformity assessments, and no bans on specific AI applications (such as real-time biometric surveillance). Existing oversight relies on general consumer, labor, and data-protection law applied case-by-case.
Timeline of decisions
- Guidance · officialCosta Rica Adopts INTE/ISO/IEC 42001 National AI Management Standard
INTECO (Costa Rica's national standards body) officially promulgated the INTE/ISO/IEC 42001:2026 standard for AI management systems, adapted from the international ISO 42001 framework with input from 15 organizations including PRODHAB. This is the first binding technical reference for AI governance applicable to both public and private entities in Costa Rica.
INTECO (Instituto de Normas Técnicas de Costa Rica)
- Decision · officialCosta Rica Hosts First Regional AI Public Policy Dialogue with IDB
The Government of Costa Rica and the Inter-American Development Bank co-organized the first Regional AI Public Policy Dialogue for Latin America and the Caribbean on December 4–5 in San José, cementing Costa Rica's role as a regional hub for AI governance deliberation.
MICITT
- Decision · officialFirst National Dialogue on AI Ethics and Governance (UN-Backed)
Costa Rica and the UN Office in Costa Rica convened the country's first national high-level dialogue on AI ethics and governance, attended by the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Technology. The event addressed algorithmic discrimination, privacy, gender equity, and a roadmap for ethical AI regulation.
United Nations Costa Rica
- Guidance · officialENIA 2024–2027 Action Plan Published
MICITT released the formal Action Plan implementing the National AI Strategy (ENIA), specifying concrete initiatives across its seven strategic axes including 5G infrastructure, a National Center of Excellence in AI, and workforce upskilling. This operationalized the October 2024 strategy.
MICITT
- Guidance · officialENIA 2024–2027 Officially Launched — First AI Strategy in Central America
MICITT officially launched the Estrategia Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (ENIA) 2024–2027, making Costa Rica the first country in Central America and the Caribbean to publish a national AI policy. Built on seven strategic axes anchored in ethics, human rights, and inclusion, it also establishes AI as a driver of economic competitiveness and public-sector modernization.
MICITT
- Law · officialLegislative Committee Approves Substitute Text of AI Regulation Bill 23771
The Legislative Assembly's specialist committee approved a revised substitute text of Expediente 23771, the country's flagship AI regulation bill, streamlining provisions on the proposed AI Regulatory Authority (ARIA) and risk classification. The bill has yet to pass a full plenary vote, but this marks the furthest any Costa Rican AI bill has advanced legislatively.
Asamblea Legislativa de Costa Rica
- Guidance · officialENIA Draft Released for Public Consultation
MICITT published the near-final draft of the National AI Strategy for a formal public consultation process, inviting contributions from industry, academia, civil society, and the public. This multi-stakeholder process was a prerequisite before the October 2024 official launch.
MICITT
- Law · officialAI Regulation Bill 23771 Filed in Legislative Assembly (Drafted via ChatGPT)
A cross-party group of legislators filed Expediente 23771 — a comprehensive AI regulation bill notable for being drafted with the assistance of ChatGPT-4, creating an immediate precedent and public debate. The bill proposed a risk-based regulatory model and the creation of ARIA (Autoridad Reguladora de Inteligencia Artificial).
Asamblea Legislativa de Costa Rica
- Decision · officialMICITT Signs UNESCO Commitment to Develop AI Strategy Aligned with AI Ethics Recommendation
Costa Rica's MICITT signed a formal letter of commitment with UNESCO, with CAF support, pledging to develop a national AI strategy aligned with UNESCO's 2021 Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. This commitment set the multi-stakeholder process that culminated in the 2024 ENIA.
UNESCO
- Decision · officialLetters of Intent Signed to Establish National AI Laboratory (LANIA) with CENAT
MICITT and the National High Technology Center (CENAT) signed letters of intent to create the Laboratorio Nacional de Inteligencia Artificial (LANIA), targeting applied AI research in mobility, biodiversity, health, and seismology. This established Costa Rica's first dedicated public AI research infrastructure.
MICITT
- Decision · officialCosta Rica Endorses OECD AI Principles
Costa Rica was among the first non-OECD-member countries to formally endorse the OECD Principles on Artificial Intelligence on May 22, 2019, alongside Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Romania. This international commitment anchored subsequent national policy development in a human-centred, trustworthy AI framework.
OECD.AI
Sources
- micitt.go.cr/el-sector-informa/micitt-presento-estrategia-nacional-de-inteligencia
- micitt.go.cr/gobierno_digital/inteligencia_artificial
- unesco.org/en/articles/costa-rica-will-be-first-country-central-america-have-art
- oecd.ai/en/dashboards/national/costa-rica
- iapp.org/news/a/analisis-del-proyecto-de-ley-de-regulacion-de-la-inteligencia-
- consortiumlegal.com/en/2026/02/23/regulatory-landscape-of-artificial-intelligence-in-cent
- digital.nemko.com/regulations/ai-regulation-costa-rica
- eurocloud.org/news/article/legal-update-on-privacy-and-artificial-intelligence-cost
- delfino.cr/asamblea/proyecto/23919
Next for Costa Rica: Data & PrivacyComprehensive law
Next topicOrientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026