The Ley General de IA Bill
Tracking the proposed comprehensive AI regulatory framework for Mexico: the bill's contents, the legislative timeline, key concerns and resources.
This is a bill, NOT a law in force
As of May 29, 2026, the Ley General de IA (General Law on Artificial Intelligence) has not been approved or published. It is a proposal still moving through the Senado (Senate). The only AI regulation with binding effect published in Mexico is the reform to the LFT (Federal Labor Law) and LFDA (Federal Copyright Law), published in the DOF (Diario Oficial de la Federación — Official Gazette) on May 14, 2026, which is separate from this bill.
Current status
There are two parallel tracks: (1) a constitutional amendment to Art. 73 (Sen. Saúl Monreal) to empower Congress to legislate on AI, and (2) a Ley General de IA proposal from the Comisión de IA del Senado (the Senate's AI Commission), led by Sen. Rolando Zapata. The vote originally expected for February 25, 2026 did not take place; both tracks remain in committee, with no date set for a dictamen (committee report) or a floor vote. This page documents the content and progress of the proposal, not a law in force.
What does the bill propose?
Contents and structure of the proposal
1. Constitutional Reform to Art. 73
Bill from Sen. Saúl Monreal Ávila to add a fracción XXXII (subsection XXXII) to Article 73, granting Congress the power to enact a general law on AI.
Note: The formal bill filed on February 3, 2026 only amends Art. 73. A reform to Art. 3 was considered in the October 2025 Propuesta de Marco Normativo (Proposed Regulatory Framework), but it was never filed as a formal bill before the Senado.
2. Ley General de IA (LGIA v1)
Proposal from the Comisión de IA del Senado. Contains 223 articles + 10 transitory articles + a Regulatory Glossary across 14 Títulos (Titles). The result of consultation with 72 specialists.
Structure: the 14 Títulos of LGIA v1
223 articles + 10 transitory articles + Regulatory Glossary
| Title | Contents | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | General Provisions (purpose, definitions, scope) | Foundational |
| 2nd | Ethical Principles, Human Rights and Neurorights | Critical |
| 3rd | Governance and Multilevel Coordination | Critical |
| 4th | National Strategy and Public Policy on AI | Strategic |
| 5th | Governing Institutions (SECIHTI, ATDT, National Authority) | Critical |
| 6th | Education, Training and Digital Culture | Important |
| 7th | Gender Perspective, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination | Important |
| 8th | Promotion of Development, Innovation and National Capabilities | Strategic |
| 9th | Risk Assessment, Classification and Management | Critical |
| 10th | Prohibited and High-Risk Applications | Critical |
| 11th | Rights and Obligations (Developers, Operators, Users) | Critical |
| 12th | Transparency, Accountability and Open Data | Important |
| 13th | Administrative Procedures | Operational |
| 14th | Violations, Liability and Sanctions | Critical |
Mexico's First Federal Definition of AI (Art. 4, fracc. XX)
"A socio-technical system based on computational or mathematical models that, through the processing of data, signals or instructions, performs functions of learning, reasoning, prediction, classification, content generation or language understanding, with the aim of producing results, decisions or actions that, if carried out exclusively by people, would require human intelligence or judgment; and that may operate autonomously, semi-autonomously or with human assistance."
Broader than the definition in the European AI Act, and it explicitly includes generative AI. Art. 4 sets out a glossary of 49 legal definitions: algorithmic bias, deepfake, regulatory sandbox, GPAI, foundation model, critical autonomous system, systemic AI risk and technological sovereignty, among others. The Anexos (Annexes) add 14 supplementary technical definitions.
Institutional Architecture (Título Quinto / Title Five)
LGIA v1 draws a line between the strategic scientific-technological function (SECIHTI) and the operational digital-transformation function (ATDT):
Autoridad Nacional en IA (National AI Authority)
The national governing body. Coordinates, oversees and regulates implementation of the law.
SECIHTI — Secretaría de Ciencia, Humanidades, Tecnología e Innovación (Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation)
Responsible for R&D policy and scientific-technological promotion in AI.
ATDT — Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency)
Responsible for the operational function: implementation, oversight and digital transformation.
Sistema Nacional de IA (National AI System)
A coordination framework spanning the three levels of government, the private sector, academia and civil society.
Consejo Consultivo Nacional (National Advisory Council)
A multi-sector, non-binding body. Issues recommendations and promotes public participation.
Guiding Principles (Art. 11)
A human-centered approach and protection of human rights
Inclusion and non-discrimination
Transparency and explainability of algorithms
Safety, reliability and robustness of systems
Privacy and data governance
Accountability and human oversight
Sustainability and promotion of innovation
Protection of labor, cultural, creative and intellectual-property rights, including for actors, artists, writers, journalists, composers and other creators
Key Mechanisms
Risk-Based Approach
LGIA v1 uses three categories: prohibited applications (Título Décimo / Title Ten), high-risk systems subject to reinforced obligations, and limited-use or personal systems subject to baseline principles. It does not use the exact nomenclature of the European AI Act.
Prohibited Applications (Título Décimo / Title Ten)
Prohibits: coercive cognitive manipulation, state-run social scoring (puntuación social), mass biometric identification without a legal basis, and any application that violates human rights or national security.
Registro Nacional de Sistemas (National Systems Registry)
Mandatory registration of high-risk AI systems, with technical documentation, impact assessments and periodic audits.
Regulatory Sandboxes (Art. 4, fracc. XXXVI)
Controlled environments for testing high-risk AI systems. Open to any actor, not limited to SMEs or startups.
43 Ordenamientos (Related Statutes) — Art. 9
Art. 9 lists 43 ordenamientos (general and federal laws, codes and the T-MEC / USMCA) with which the LGIA must be interpreted and applied in harmony.
Extraterritorial Scope (Art. 6)
Applies to AI systems that have effects in Mexico or that are used by foreign entities providing services to Mexican residents. Art. 7 lists 31 specific sectoral scopes.
Five Neurorights Recognized (Art. 18)
Mexico would be among the first countries to recognize neurorights at the level of ordinary statute (Chile did so at the constitutional level in 2021):
I. Personal identity and psychological continuity
II. Mental privacy
III. Cognitive integrity and protection against non-consensual interference
IV. Free will and autonomy
V. Fairness and protection against undue neurotechnological manipulation
Sanctions Regime — Título Décimo Cuarto / Title Fourteen (Arts. 208-222)
Minor Violations (Art. 209)
Formal omissions relating to transparency, registration or notification.
Serious Violations (Art. 210)
Failure to conduct impact assessments or audits, or lack of human oversight in high-risk systems.
Most Serious Violations (Art. 211)
Use of prohibited applications, serious harm to human rights, systematic discrimination, or harm to national security.
Sanctions (Art. 217): formal warning, fines, disqualification, suspension or withdrawal of the system, and full remediation of harm. Repeat serious or most-serious violations can double the sanctions (Art. 222).
Transitional Regime — Key Deadlines
The Law takes effect
Autoridad Nacional en IA and Consejo Consultivo Nacional installed
Implementing regulations for the Law + National AI Strategy
Legal harmonization across the three levels of government and autonomous bodies
Registration, classification and adaptation of pre-existing AI systems
Where did the bill come from?
Origins and consultation process
The regulatory framework is the culmination of a process that began in 2023 and gathered pace throughout 2024 and 2025.
The Need for Legal Certainty
The rapid advance of AI in Mexico created a regulatory vacuum that generated uncertainty for investment and risks to citizens' rights.
Precursor Bills
Since 2023, at least six bills have been introduced in Congress, including proposals from Dip. Ricardo Monreal and Sen. Clemente Castañeda.
Open Parliament Process
The Comisión de IA del Senado, chaired by Sen. Rolando Rodrigo Zapata Bello, held 6 discussion forums with 72 experts, whose 34 recommendations form the core of the proposal.
International Influence
Inspired by the EU's AI Act, adopting a risk-classification approach. Mexico's definition of AI is broader than Europe's and explicitly includes generative AI.
An Unprecedented Transparency Note
LGIA v1 itself includes a "Nota de Transparencia y Buenas Prácticas Editoriales" (Transparency and Good Editorial Practice Note), in which the Commission acknowledges having used generative-AI tools for auxiliary tasks in the formal editing of the text, under permanent human supervision. This is unprecedented in Mexican legislation.
How can I read the bill?
Official documents and sources
The legislative process involves two documents: the Iniciativa de Reforma al Art. 73 (Art. 73 Reform Bill), filed by Sen. Saúl Monreal Ávila, and the text of the Ley General de IA drafted by the Comisión de IA del Senado, chaired by Sen. Rolando Zapata Bello.
Iniciativa de Reforma al Artículo 73 Constitucional (Bill to Reform Article 73 of the Constitution)
Official document — Sen. Saúl Monreal Ávila — PDF (SIL, Secretaría de Gobernación)
Ley General de Inteligencia Artificial — Dictamen (Committee Report)
LGIA v1 — PDF published by the Comisión de IA del Senado
Sistema de Información Legislativa (SIL — Legislative Information System) — Secretaría de Gobernación
sil.gobernacion.gob.mx
The LGIA v1 dictamen (committee report) is available at the link above. The Art. 73 reform bill was published in the SIL of the Secretaría de Gobernación on February 17, 2026.
Legislative Timeline
Key milestones in the process
Mar. 30, 2023
The first bill, a "Ley para la Regulación Ética de la IA y la Robótica" (Law for the Ethical Regulation of AI and Robotics), is introduced.
Sep. 20, 2023
A proposed reform to Article 73 of the Constitution to cover AI, cybersecurity and neurorights is introduced.
Oct. 2024 – Apr. 2025
The Comisión de IA del Senado holds 6 discussion forums with 72 experts from industry, academia, government and civil society.
Oct. 3, 2025
The Comisión de IA publishes the "Propuesta de Marco Normativo para la IA en México" (Proposed Regulatory Framework for AI in Mexico), contemplating reforms to Arts. 3 and 73.
Oct. 16, 2025
The Comisión de IA approves its annual work plan, prioritizing the drafting of the Ley General de IA.
Feb. 3, 2026
Sen. Saúl Monreal Ávila files the formal bill to amend only Article 73 of the Constitution (adding a fracción XXXII).
Feb. 17, 2026
The Cámara de Diputados (Chamber of Deputies) unanimously approves (442 votes) the reform to penalize sexual deepfakes. Sent to the Senado (Senate).
Feb. 25, 2026
Date scheduled for the floor vote on the Ley General de Inteligencia Artificial in the Senado.
Feb. 26, 2026
"Del Senado a la Industria" (From the Senado to Industry) forum to explain the scope of the new law to the business sector.
Parallel Legislative Context
Related legislation in progress
Deepfakes Reform — Approved in the Cámara de Diputados (Feb. 17, 2026)
The Cámara de Diputados unanimously approved (442 votes) the reform to Art. 20 Quáter of the LGAMVLV (Ley General de Acceso de las Mujeres a una Vida Libre de Violencia — General Law on Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence), to penalize digital violence carried out through generative AI (sexual deepfakes). Already sent to the Senado.
Ley Federal para el Desarrollo Ético, Soberano e Inclusivo de la IA (Federal Law for the Ethical, Sovereign and Inclusive Development of AI) — In the Cámara de Diputados
A 2025 proposal from MORENA/PVEM that includes reforms to the Código Penal Federal (Federal Criminal Code) and the Ley Federal del Derecho de Autor (Federal Copyright Law) on generative AI. It includes specific protection for dubbing actors against the use of AI to replicate their voice without consent.
Main Concerns and Criticisms
Voices from civil society, academia and experts
Despite broad consensus on the need to regulate AI, a range of concerns have emerged:
Risks to Free Expression and Privacy
Organizations such as Article 19 warn that ambiguous concepts like "undermining public trust" or "social peace" could criminalize legitimate activities such as political criticism, satire or artistic creation.
Surveillance and National Security
The participation of SEDENA (the Defense Ministry), SEMAR (the Navy Ministry) and the Guardia Nacional (National Guard) in the discussion forums has raised concern about the potential use of AI for mass surveillance and facial recognition. The law prohibits mass biometric identification without a legal basis, but the practical limits remain a matter of debate.
Institutional Capacity
Experts point out that the law's ambition could exceed the state's capacity to implement it. The 90-to-365-day deadlines for setting up institutions and issuing regulations are seen as very tight.
Intellectual Property and Creators' Rights
Strong tension surrounds the use of protected works to train AI models. LGIA v1's principles include protection for the rights of actors, writers, artists, journalists and composers, but the concrete mechanism is still pending regulation.
Labor Rights
Unions and workers have expressed concern about job displacement, precarious employment and the need for a just transition.
Senado Floor Sessions
Livestreamed
Both sessions will be livestreamed by the Canal del Congreso México on YouTube and over broadcast TV (channels 45.1, 45.2 and 45.3). The Ley General de IA is scheduled for the February 25 session.
Canal del Congreso does not publish livestream links in advance; videos become available on YouTube once each session ends.
Special Webinar — Post-Legislative
Exclusive for CANACINTRA (National Chamber of the Manufacturing Industry) members
From the Senado to Industry: AI Legislative Outlook 2026
Implement AI without putting your company at risk. Presented by Mtro. Alonso Bernardo Tamez Vélez, Secretario Técnico (Technical Secretary) of the Comisión de IA del Senado. Organized by the CANACINTRA Southeast Coahuila AI Committee.
RegisterAvailable Videos
Official Channel of the Senado de México and Canal del Congreso
Ordinary Senado Session — Feb. 18, 2026 (most recent session)
Feb. 18, 2026
Ordinary Senado Session — Feb. 17, 2026
Feb. 17, 2026
Opening of the Senado's AI Workshop Series (chaired by Sen. Rolando Zapata Bello)
Feb. 11, 2025
Ordinary Meeting of the Comisión de Análisis, Seguimiento y Evaluación sobre la IA en México (Commission for the Analysis, Monitoring and Evaluation of AI in Mexico)
Oct. 16, 2025
Statements by Senators
"This bill seeks to establish the power to legislate on AI": Sen. Ruiz (GPMorena)
"AI-enabled fraud increased 2,000%": Sen. Martín (GPPAN)
"Regulating AI means driving benefits and fighting bias": Sen. Sanmiguel (GPPAN)
"Regulating AI so it can coexist with humanity": Sen. Martha Márquez (PT)
Discussion Forum "AI: Challenges, Risks and Opportunities" — Sen. Alejandra Lagunes
International Forum "The Future of AI: Platforms and Social Media"
"The Impact of AI on Ethics, Human Rights and Public Policy"
Where to Follow the Sessions Live
Canal del Congreso México
YouTube
Senado de México (official)
YouTube
Canal del Congreso
Broadcast TV — Channels 45.1, 45.2 and 45.3
Canal del Congreso
Dish / Sky — Channel 145
References and Sources
Iniciativa de Reforma al Art. 73 Constitucional (Art. 73 Reform Bill) — SIL, Secretaría de Gobernación (PDF)
2.Ley General de Inteligencia Artificial v1 — Dictamen (Committee Report) (PDF, Comisión de IA del Senado)
3.Senado de México Publishes Bill to Regulate AI — Mobile Time
4.Senate Commission Pushes General Law to Regulate AI — Noticiero Gubernamental
5.Legislating AI Without Defining It: Article 19 Criticizes Reform Approved in SLP — La Orquesta
6.Regulation of Artificial Intelligence in Mexico — El Economista
7.Mexico: The Various AI Regulation Bills — CeCo
8.Mexico's Sandbox Dilemma: Aligning Institutions for Adaptive Tech Regulation — Sissi De La Peña (UC Berkeley, 2024-2025)