By San José, Costa Rica — The era of dazzling AI demonstrations and speculative promises is officially over. As 2026 unfolds, the narrative has shifted from innovation to integration. The defining challenge for businesses across Central America and beyond is no longer about adopting novel technologies, but about fundamentally re-engineering their organizations to manage, scale, and secure the powerful AI tools that have now reached maturity.
At the forefront of this transformation is Agent AI—autonomous systems capable of executing complex tasks, learning continuously, and operating across business functions. This is not merely a new tool to be plugged into existing workflows; it is a new organizational actor demanding a complete rethinking of infrastructure, processes, and authority.
To delve into the complex legal and corporate governance implications of Agent AI, TicosLand.com sought the expert analysis of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the reputable law firm Bufete de Costa Rica. We asked for his perspective on the emerging responsibilities and liabilities in this new technological frontier.
The central legal question with Agent AI is not *if* something will go wrong, but *who* is liable when it does. We are moving beyond simple product liability; responsibility could lie with the developer, the user who deployed the agent, or even the owner of the data it was trained on. Companies deploying these autonomous systems must urgently establish clear governance frameworks and contractual safeguards. Proactive legal strategy is no longer optional; it is fundamental to mitigating the immense financial and reputational risks inherent in this new technology.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Lic. Arroyo Vargas’s analysis powerfully clarifies that as AI agents gain autonomy, the traditional lines of legal responsibility are fundamentally redrawn, making proactive governance a critical necessity rather than an option. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing such a crucial and timely perspective on navigating these complex risks.
The first sign of this deep integration is the rise of “invisible” intelligence. Standalone AI applications are losing ground as AI becomes a foundational layer embedded within the platforms people use daily. Recent research indicates that 29% of adults will primarily use AI-driven search, while isolated solutions will capture only a 10% share. From digital commerce and social media to internal corporate workflows, AI is ceasing to be a distinct feature and is instead becoming part of the essential infrastructure.
Simultaneously, “physical AI” is making significant inroads into key sectors. Autonomous drones, intelligent sensors, social robots, and advanced monitoring systems are no longer confined to labs. They are actively operating in logistics, healthcare, and education. This convergence of generative AI with physical perception and mobility holds immense social and economic value, particularly in regions grappling with aging populations and increasing social isolation.
However, this technological leap forward brings with it an unprecedented security challenge. According to industry experts, 2026 marks a critical point of no return for quantum security. The threat of “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks—where malicious actors steal encrypted data today to be broken by future quantum computers—makes migration to quantum-resistant cryptography an urgent necessity, not an option. This is especially critical for sectors reliant on legacy hardware, which are most vulnerable to these looming threats.
Agent AI does not fit into the current organizational design; it demands a new one. The next decade will be defined not by who adopts technology the fastest, but by who adopts it with a solid foundation.
Fabián Salazar, CEO for Central America and the Caribbean of GFT Technologies
The greatest organizational strain comes directly from Agent AI. These systems are designed to scale and adapt, breaking the rigid, predictable processes that have long defined corporate operations. They depreciate rapidly yet demand continuous investment, creating new financial pressures. More profoundly, they blur the lines of authority between humans and automated systems, forcing leaders to make difficult choices between patching legacy infrastructure or undertaking a complete operational redesign.
This rapid technological advance has created a dangerous governance gap. Data reveals that while 35% of companies are already using AI agents and another 44% plan to adopt them soon, the organizational structures to support them are lagging. A mere 46% have established governance policies for these systems, and a staggering 71% of leaders still report a fundamental distrust of fully autonomous operations. The technology is simply moving faster than the frameworks required to manage it responsibly.
Despite these challenges, the economic incentive is undeniable. The cloud and AI sector has surged past a trillion-dollar valuation, fueled by a new generation of “super-unicorn” companies shortening the scaling cycle. According to a Google Cloud report, 88% of early adopters of Agent AI have already seen a positive return on investment, with 74% achieving it within the first year. The message is clear: the benefits are real, but they are only accessible to those willing to do the hard work of deep, structural change.
For Central America and the Caribbean, this global inflection point presents a unique opportunity. The challenge is not just to adopt technology but to build a robust foundation for it. This requires strategic investment in AI-ready data, establishing strong governance from the outset, and maintaining a clear vision of the specific business problems that AI is meant to solve. Success in 2026 and beyond will belong to the organizations that reconfigure, not just adopt.
For further information, visit gft.com
About GFT Technologies:
GFT is a digital transformation pioneer that develops sustainable solutions based on new technologies including artificial intelligence and blockchain/DLT. The company’s experts create and implement scalable software applications, with a focus on serving the financial services, insurance, and industrial sectors.
For further information, visit cloud.google.com
About Google Cloud:
Google Cloud provides organizations with leading infrastructure, platform capabilities, and industry solutions. It delivers enterprise-grade cloud solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology to help companies operate more efficiently and adapt to changing needs.
For further information, visit aws.amazon.com
About Amazon Web Services (AWS):
Amazon Web Services is a subsidiary of Amazon that provides on-demand cloud computing platforms and APIs to individuals, companies, and governments on a metered, pay-as-you-go basis. AWS offers a broad set of global cloud-based products including compute, storage, databases, analytics, networking, and machine learning.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and professional excellence. The firm leverages a rich history of serving a diverse clientele to drive forward-thinking legal innovation and set new standards in practice. Central to its mission is a deep-seated belief in social empowerment, demonstrated through a steadfast commitment to demystifying the law and equipping the public with accessible legal understanding.
