What is the real state of AI regulation in Ecuador?

Ecuador is in an emerging stage. There is no specific AI law, although the Organic Law on Personal Data Protection (LOPDP) and its regulations establish relevant obligations for automated data processing. Ecuadorian organizations looking to get ahead can adopt international standards such as ISO/IEC 42001 and ISO/IEC 38507 while the local framework develops.

What common mistakes do Latin American companies make when adopting AI?

The three most frequent mistakes are: adopting AI tools without an acceptable use policy, which creates uncontrolled Shadow AI; importing governance frameworks designed for North American or European contexts without adapting them to local institutional reality; and treating AI governance as an IT project when it is a board-level decision.

What is Shadow AI and why is it a risk?

Shadow AI refers to the unauthorized, uncontrolled use of AI tools in organizations. Employees adopt ChatGPT, Copilot, or other tools without IT oversight, creating data leakage risks, compliance violations, and security vulnerabilities. The solution is a clear acceptable use policy and continuous monitoring.

What is ISO 42001 and why should my company implement it?

ISO/IEC 42001 is the international standard for AI management systems. It provides a framework for governance, risk management, and responsible AI implementation. Implementing it demonstrates commitment to responsible AI, reduces compliance risks, and positions your organization as a leader in AI governance.

What is the difference between ISO 42001 and ISO 38507?

ISO 42001 focuses on AI management systems and governance. ISO 38507 focuses on IT governance and board-level oversight. Both are complementary: 42001 is operational, 38507 is strategic. Together they create comprehensive AI governance.

What does a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) do?

A Chief AI Officer is responsible for an organization's AI strategy, governance, and oversight. They define acceptable-use policies, manage risks, coordinate responsible adoption across business units, and report AI maturity and compliance to the board.

AI Governance for Latin America

Attorney, Chief AI Officer and AI Solutions Architect. I govern what I design. I design what I govern.

Chief AI Officer at HEKA Law · Senior AI Counsel · fAIr LAC Fellow at IDB Lab. I design and deliver functional AI systems for legal teams, mid-market companies and professional firms across Latin America, alongside establishing the ISO 42001 and ISO 38507 frameworks that govern them.

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ISO 42001 · AI Management Leader ISO 38507 · AI Governance Leader CAIO-CP CAIDP Graduate fAIr LAC Fellow · IDB Lab AI Solutions Architect

Services

Two complementary capabilities rarely offered together in the region.

Strategic governance

ISO 42001 and ISO 38507 framework implementation
Corporate AI usage policies
Compliance with EU AI Act and emerging Latin American regulations
Audits of AI systems in production
Executive and board advisory on algorithmic risk

Custom AI solutions

Corporate legal automation with generative AI
Agents and workflows for in-house legal teams
Document analysis and multi-source cross-referencing tools
Functional prototypes that replace costly manual processes
Direct implementation with operational deliverables, not just recommendations

I understand artificial intelligence because I use it every day. I govern it because I am an attorney with specific international certifications. That combination is rare in Latin America and it is what my clients hire.

Delivered solutions

Five operational systems built for clients across four distinct sectors. Without names for confidentiality; with results for transparency of method.

Import retail · Construction materials

ChallengeTax analysis of massive invoicing for tax refund

SolutionProcessing system that cross-references 96,537 invoices against 72 variables, generates a complete ten-sheet Excel workpaper with tax credit chain

OutcomeExecution time reduced from ten manual days to twenty automated minutes

Corporate technology

ChallengeReviewing high volume of NDAs with consistent criteria

SolutionAnalyzer that compares each clause against a predefined standard, decides ACCEPT, SUGGEST or REJECT per clause, produces executive report plus Word document with real OOXML track changes

OutcomeComplete decision traceability and elimination of the human bottleneck

Intellectual property

ChallengePreventive search for trademark similarity conflicts

SolutionEngine combining Levenshtein distance, trigram analysis and Spanish phonetic evaluation, connected to Firestore with automated scraping of IP Gazette and Nice classification with cross-references

OutcomeEarly detection of conflicts that previously required extensive manual review

Regional entertainment

ChallengeMulti-source reconciliation across point-of-sale systems, commercial agreements and actual payments

SolutionAutomated cross-check that identifies differences per point of sale and generates settlement with full traceability

OutcomeA process that previously consumed days of administrative work resolved in a single run

Corporate legal services

ChallengeRepetitive tax workpaper preparation for client advisory

SolutionFull automation of tax analysis workflow with external-source integration

OutcomePer-case preparation time reduced from hours to seconds, with format consistency

Each of these systems is operational today. Each was designed, built, implemented and delivered by the same professional who signs this site.

Professional Experience

Chief AI Officer & Senior AI Counsel

HEKA Law • Quito, Ecuador • 2025 – Present

AI governance practice design. ISO 42001 and ISO 38507 implementation. Training of 200+ professionals.

General Manager

Kiron S.A.S. B.I.C. • 2018 – 2023

Operational and strategic management of technology company. Software solution development.

Senior Corporate Attorney

Integra Corporate Consulting • 2018 – 2022

Corporate legal advisory, M&A, and international operations structuring.

In-House Counsel

Electric Sector

Legal advisory on regulation, compliance, and corporate operations.

Featured Publications

Governance

AI Governance in Latin America

ISO 42001 implementation framework adapted to Latin American institutional contexts.

Risks

Shadow AI & Data Leakage

Analysis of unauthorized AI use risks and control strategies.

Regulation

AI Regulation in Ecuador

Current state of Ecuador's AI regulatory framework and public policy proposals.

Rights

Neurorights and Cognitive Liberty

Intersection of digital law, AI, and fundamental rights in Ibero-American contexts.

Justice

AI in the Judicial System

Risk framework and controls for responsible AI use in Latin American courts.

Fair Use and AI Training

Analysis of legal arguments on protected content use in generative models.