Mexico keeps sector-based AI rules

Update August 23, 2026: In May, reforms to the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law were published to protect voice and image from generative AI. At the same time, Observatorio IA México lists a general law initiative dated March 23, 2026 as still in force.

Mexico reached the second half of 2026 without a general artificial intelligence law, but with new sector-specific rules already in place. Regulation has developed by sector, while the comprehensive draft general law remains a working document and the bill known as the National Law to Regulate the Use of Artificial Intelligence is still moving through the legislative process without approval in Congress.

Legislative status

Legislative progress is split between two tracks. On one side, the general law remains in the working-document phase, and Observatorio IA México lists a general AI law initiative dated March 23, 2026 as still in force. On the other, the specific initiative to regulate AI use is advancing through the parliamentary process, but it has not yet won congressional approval.

That leaves Mexico with a fragmented regulatory setup, where rules have emerged by sector rather than being contained in a single comprehensive legal framework. That is, at least for now, the starting point described by the sources consulted.

What changed in May 2026?

Congress and the executive branch moved ahead with sector-specific reforms that have been in force since May 15, 2026. The Chamber of Deputies approved a reform in April to protect artists, performers and musicians from the use of artificial intelligence, and on May 14 changes to the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation.

According to the decree cited by AMCP, the reform took effect the day after publication, and it strengthened protection against the commercial exploitation of voice and image through generative AI. Baker McKenzie said the changes began applying on May 15 and reinforced protections for artists, performers and executing artists in digital and AI environments.

Garrigues added that the decree required labor contracts to include explicit clauses on compensation for the use of image or voice through AI and provided penalties of up to 40,000 days of minimum wage for violations tied to cloning or impersonation.

Political pressure on Congress

Senator Kenia López said publicly that regulating artificial intelligence is a mandatory discussion for Congress. She also stressed the need to move toward a comprehensive legal framework, beyond the sector-specific reforms already approved.

Her position adds political pressure to the committee process for both the General AI Law and the National Law to Regulate the Use of AI. Alongside that debate, the available material does not show final approval for either initiative.

What remains unresolved

Based on the information available, the main outstanding issue remains the jump from partial reforms to a general law. The legislative process is still open, and Mexico's AI regulation remains, for now, grounded in sector-specific measures rather than a single nationwide rule.