Call for Projects: LAC AI Accelerator to Support Agentic AI Development

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

The LAC AI Accelerator supports high-potential artificial intelligence (AI) use cases—especially agentic AI—across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Selected Digital Service Teams receive technical mentorship, institutional AI readiness assessments, World Bank–certified training, and validation support to help governments decide whether to scale or discontinue AI initiatives. Projects must focus on digital government services, public sector efficiency, or policy design and delivery, and must be backed by a public digital authority.

LAC AI Accelerator – Scaling Agentic AI for Digital Governments

The LAC AI Accelerator is an open-call program designed to identify, validate, and scale high-impact AI solutions across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Its primary goal is to help governments adopt evidence-based AI applications that improve efficiency, service delivery, and policy outcomes while ensuring responsible and ethical implementation.

Program Objectives

The accelerator aims to:

• Identify high-potential AI use cases through a competitive open call

• Validate solutions before large-scale public investment

• Generate evidence for scale-up or discontinuation decisions

• Promote replication of successful AI models across the LAC region

• Strengthen innovative, efficient, and inclusive digital governments

The program reduces implementation risk by testing AI solutions in real-world public sector contexts.

What Is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems capable of autonomous decision-making, planning, and task execution toward defined objectives.

Unlike traditional AI models that respond only to direct prompts, agentic AI systems:

• Act proactively based on goals

• Adapt to dynamic environments

• Integrate multiple data sources

• Automate complex workflows

Examples in government may include:

• AI agents managing service requests

• Automated policy monitoring systems

• Intelligent workflow orchestration tools

The accelerator places special emphasis on responsible and transparent deployment of such systems.

What Selected Teams Receive

Participating teams—called Digital Service Teams—receive structured, end-to-end support.

1. Institutional AI Readiness Assessment

• Evaluation of organizational AI maturity

• Assessment of governance structures

• Review of data infrastructure and compliance readiness

This ensures that solutions are implemented within capable institutions.

2. Strategic and Technical Advisory

• Guidance on selecting appropriate AI models

• Technical mentorship to troubleshoot challenges

• Support during testing and validation phases

This helps teams refine and de-risk their AI systems.

3. AI Training and Certification

Teams receive training in:

• AI fundamentals

• Ethical AI principles

• Data governance and compliance

Certificates of completion are issued by the World Bank Group.

4. Networking and Visibility

• Participation in the World Bank Digital Summit

• Regional knowledge-sharing sessions

• Cross-country collaboration opportunities

This enhances exposure and accelerates learning across governments.

Eligible Use Case Categories

Projects must fall under one of three core categories:

1. Digital Government Services

• AI-powered citizen service portals

• Automated benefit processing systems

• Chatbots or virtual assistants for public services

2. Public Sector Efficiency

• Workflow automation

• Procurement optimization

• Resource allocation modeling

3. Policy Design and Delivery

• Predictive analytics for public policy

• Data-driven decision-support tools

• Monitoring and evaluation automation

Projects from any sector are welcome if they fit within these categories.

Alignment with priority sectors—such as infrastructure, agribusiness, health, manufacturing, and tourism—is encouraged but not mandatory.

Who Is Eligible?

The accelerator is open to multidisciplinary teams across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Eligible Entities

• Public sector institutions

• Private sector organizations

• Civil society organizations

• Academic institutions

Team Requirements

Teams must:

• Have expertise in AI technologies

• Demonstrate knowledge of the specific development challenge addressed

• Present a feasible and testable AI use case

• Show clear public impact potential

Mandatory Government Support

All teams must:

• Obtain a signed commitment letter

• Be supported by a public digital authority (national, state, or local level)

If multiple authorities are involved, multiple sponsoring organizations may be included.

This ensures:

• Alignment with government priorities

• Institutional backing for implementation

• Viability for scaling

Why This Accelerator Matters

Governments face increasing pressure to:

• Deliver faster public services

• Reduce operational costs

• Improve policy outcomes

• Enhance transparency and accountability

However, AI implementation carries risks including bias, data misuse, and scalability challenges.

The LAC AI Accelerator addresses these issues by:

• Testing solutions before large-scale rollout

• Embedding ethical AI principles

• Strengthening institutional readiness

• Promoting knowledge-sharing across countries

The result is safer, smarter, and more inclusive digital transformation.

How the Accelerator Works

Step 1: Open Call Application

Teams submit proposals outlining:

• The development challenge

• The AI solution concept

• Technical approach

• Expected public impact

• Government sponsor commitment letter

Step 2: Selection of High-Potential Projects

Proposals are evaluated based on:

• Innovation and feasibility

• Public value potential

• Technical robustness

• Institutional readiness

• Scalability and replication potential

Step 3: Design and Validation Phase

Selected teams receive:

• AI readiness assessments

• Technical mentoring

• Strategic model selection support

• Testing and validation guidance

Step 4: Evidence Generation

The accelerator helps teams:

• Measure performance outcomes

• Document lessons learned

• Develop scale-up recommendations

Governments use this evidence to decide whether to expand or discontinue the initiative.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Submitting proposals without a signed public authority commitment letter.

2. Proposing AI solutions without a clearly defined public problem.

3. Overlooking ethical and data governance considerations.

4. Presenting overly complex systems without clear validation pathways.

5. Failing to demonstrate technical and domain expertise within the team.

Strong proposals clearly link technology to measurable public outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is the accelerator limited to government institutions?

No. Public, private, civil society, and academic teams may apply, but a public digital authority must formally support the proposal.

2. What is the main focus of the program?

The program emphasizes agentic AI and other high-impact AI solutions that improve digital government services, efficiency, or policy delivery.

3. Is funding provided?

The accelerator provides structured technical support, validation assistance, and capacity-building rather than direct large-scale funding.

4. Do projects need to align with specific sectors?

Alignment with sectors such as infrastructure, agribusiness, health, manufacturing, and tourism is encouraged but not mandatory.

5. What is required for government backing?

A signed commitment letter from a relevant national, state, or local digital authority is mandatory.

6. Can multiple government agencies sponsor one project?

Yes. Proposals may include more than one sponsoring authority if applicable.

7. What happens after validation?

Governments use validation evidence to decide whether to scale, replicate, or discontinue the AI solution.

Conclusion

The LAC AI Accelerator is a strategic regional initiative to responsibly deploy and scale agentic AI solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean.

By combining institutional readiness assessments, technical mentorship, ethical AI training, and validation support, the program reduces implementation risk while accelerating digital government innovation.

Multidisciplinary teams with strong AI expertise and confirmed public authority backing should apply to help shape the future of inclusive, efficient, and evidence-based governance in the LAC region.

For more information, visit World Bank Group.