Project summary

Effective AI Awareness is a research and communication project developed by ORCG (https://orcg.info/) aimed at strengthening the informed participation of Latin American stakeholders in global AI governance. By generating empirical evidence on how key actors perceive the risks associated with advanced AI, the initiative seeks to bridge knowledge gaps, support regional cooperation, and foster strategic engagement in multilateral discussions.

Through targeted interviews and surveys, the project will map the current understanding, concerns, and narratives around AI risks among decision-makers in Latin America and globally relevant experts and diplomats. These findings will inform a strategic communication plan designed to elevate the visibility of AI risks in public and policy arenas.

The project will develop tailored outreach materials, stakeholder-specific briefings, and engagement activities directed at high-influence audiences—including regional diplomats, journalists and policymakers. In doing so, Effective AI Awareness will contribute to a globally coordinated response to emerging AI risks.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The primary goal of this project is to establish effective and adapted communication regarding the risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence for key actors in Latin America. By enhancing their understanding and awareness through relevant channels and messages, we aim to strengthen their informed and strategic participation in global AI governance and, ultimately, foster the region's resilience to the risks posed by AI models.

• Strengthening the informed and effective participation of Latin American stakeholders in global AI governance.
• Generating empirical evidence on how key actors in Latin America perceive the risks associated with advanced AI.
• Bridging knowledge gaps regarding AI risks among decision-makers in Latin America.
• Designing and implementing targeted communication strategies based on empirical evidence.
• Elevating the visibility of AI risks in public and policy arenas within Latin America.
• Contributing Latin American perspectives and participation to a globally coordinated response to emerging AI risks.

How will we achieve this?

• Generating empirical evidence: The foundation is built on understanding the current landscape. This is achieved through:
  • Conducting targeted semi-structured interviews with key Spanish-speaking actors (government, diplomats, academics, civil society, global experts) to gain in-depth qualitative insights into their perceptions, concerns, and information sources regarding advanced AI risks.
  • Administering structured surveys to a broader sample of stakeholders to quantify risk perceptions, identify differences across sectors and regions, and assess the influence of information access.
• Analyzing and synthesizing findings: The collected data is then processed and analyzed to identify key patterns:
  • Performing qualitative analysis (like thematic coding and narrative analysis) on interview data to understand underlying themes and stories about AI risk.
  • Conducting quantitative analysis on survey data (descriptive and inferential statistics) to identify trends, group differences, and relationships between variables.
  • Synthesizing the findings from both methods into a comprehensive report that maps perceptions, narratives, information gaps, and barriers to participation.
• Developing evidence-based strategy: The insights gained from the analysis directly inform the project's strategic direction:
  • Identifying specific knowledge gaps and effective communication channels/messages based on stakeholder feedback.
  • Designing a detailed strategic communication plan that defines priority audiences, tailored messages, optimal formats, and engagement strategies.
• Implementing sissemination and engagement: The final phase focuses on using the developed strategy and materials to reach key audiences and foster participation:
  • Creating tailored outreach and awareness-raising materials (reports, briefings, infographics, etc.) based on the strategic plan.
  • Organizing and executing pilot advocacy activities (such as online presentations, workshops, or webinars) specifically targeting high-impact audiences like diplomats, journalists, and policymakers.
  • Establishing monitoring mechanisms to track the reception and effectiveness of communication efforts, allowing for adjustments.

How will this funding be used?

• Phase 1 & 2: Data collection, processing, and analysis ($41,000 / 4 months)
  • This initial phase uses the largest portion of the budget, covering the core research activities.
  • Funding will support the project team (2 FTE AI Policy Officers, 0.4 FTE Science Diplomat, 0.3 FTE Project Coordinator, 0.15 FTE Operations Manager) for four months.
  • It will be used to conduct targeted semi-structured interviews and structured surveys with key Spanish-speaking stakeholders.
  • Costs associated with data processing and analysis, including potentially qualitative analysis software, will be covered.
  • The deliverables for this phase, including the findings report on perceptions and a map of actors/information gaps, are funded here.
• Phase 3: Synthesis and strategic development ($20,000 / 2 months)
  • This phase focuses on translating research findings into actionable strategies.
  • Funding continues to support the project team at the same FTE levels for two months.
  • The budget in this phase is dedicated to synthesizing the research results, identifying gaps and opportunities, and specifically designing the strategic communication plan.
  • The key deliverable, the strategic communication plan with tailored messages and channels, is funded here.
• Phase 4: Dissemination and Engagement ($29,000 / 3 months)
  • The final phase is dedicated to outreach and sharing the project's findings and strategies.
  • Funding supports the project team at the same FTE levels for the remaining three months.
  • This budget covers the creation of outreach and awareness-raising materials (executive summaries, briefings, infographics, etc.).
  • It funds the planning and execution of four pilot advocacy activities targeting high-impact audiences (presentations, workshops, webinars).
  • Costs associated with monitoring the reception and effectiveness of the dissemination activities are also covered.

Additional Costs:
Beyond the $90,000 allocated to the phases and core team, the funding will also be used for:

• Workshops: Covering the costs associated with organizing3 virtual events/workshops, each lasting one day.
• External Contractor: Hiring1 Multimedia Producer to create communication materials, indicating funding is allocated for specialized content creation skills not covered by the core team's FTEs.

If the full amount is not secured, the minimum funding required to initiate the project is $10,000. This would allow us to begin mapping activities with a single team member and lay the groundwork to drive the project forward during the initial months.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

• Jorge Torres - Project Manager
• Andrea Castillo - Operations Manager
• Roberto Tinoco - Science Diplomat
• Monica Ulloa - Policy Transfer Officer
• Michelle Bruno - Policy Transfer Officer

You can view our track record of publications and projects related to AI governance at the following link: https://orcg.info/articulos/category/Riesgos+de+la+IA

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

• Despite the social perception study, there is a possibility that the communication strategy will fail to penetrate the public sphere if it competes with simpler or more optimistic narratives about AI, especially in media contexts with low technical capacity.
• Differences in technical capacities and political priorities between countries in the region could limit the effectiveness of a standardised approach, requiring local adaptations that consume additional resources.
• External factors such as changes in the geopolitical landscape or unilateral decisions by technological powers could overshadow or render regional efforts irrelevant.
• The possible lack of institutional continuity after the end of the project could cause its products (networks, materials) to become obsolete.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?