By San José, Costa Rica — As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes university classrooms, research methodologies, and administrative frameworks across the globe, Costa Rica is stepping up to lead a vital regional conversation. On November 12 and 13, San José will host the international summit titled “Reimagining the Classroom: Education in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” Convening at the San Pedro campus of Universidad Fidélitas, the landmark forum brings together academic leaders, researchers, and technologists to chart a strategic path forward for higher education institutions in Latin America.
Co-organized by Universidad Fidélitas and the Latin American Artificial Intelligence Network (RIAL), the two-day international conference features more than 20 high-profile speakers representing over ten countries. The ambitious assembly aims to shift the regional focus beyond mere technology adoption, tackling key structural challenges such as teacher training, curriculum modernization, ethical governance, and equitable technology access across Latin American universities.
To gain deeper insight into the legal, regulatory, and intellectual property challenges emerging as artificial intelligence transforms higher education, TicosLand.com consulted with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from Bufete de Costa Rica.
As academic institutions rapidly integrate artificial intelligence into teaching, research, and administration, establishing proactive legal and compliance frameworks is essential. Universities must carefully address complex issues surrounding intellectual property ownership of AI-assisted research, student data privacy protection, and updated academic integrity guidelines to foster technological innovation while safeguarding institutional liability.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
As higher education institutions navigate this unprecedented digital transformation, establishing clear legal boundaries and ethical standards will indeed be paramount to safeguarding both innovation and integrity. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his valuable perspective and illuminating the essential compliance frameworks necessary for universities moving forward.
Academic leaders stress that developing countries in the region must actively participate in designing and understanding artificial intelligence rather than remaining passive recipients of foreign technology. Wilberth Molina, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at Universidad Fidélitas and President of RIAL, emphasized the imperative for Latin America to build its own technological sovereignty and intellectual capital during this rapid digital shift.
Latin America cannot be limited to being a consumer of artificial intelligence. We must develop the academic, scientific, and technological capabilities that allow us to understand, create, and use it to respond to our own needs.
Wilberth Molina, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at Universidad Fidélitas and President of RIAL
The summit’s dynamic schedule opens with comprehensive presentations covering recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, intelligent agents tailored for pedagogical settings, and long-term educational forecasting. Experts will address essential operational considerations including institutional risk management, intelligent research tools, and effective governance models before closing the first day with structured networking opportunities for institutional leaders.
Day two shifts toward practical applications, practical tools, and systemic impacts on employment. Sessions will cover Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) agents, institutional data analytics, and modern evaluation techniques through interactive workshops. Furthermore, panels will scrutinize the concept of the “augmented university,” algorithmic bias, and how higher education curricula must evolve to match the fast-changing demands of the AI-driven labor market.
Central to the conference discussions is the evolving role of educators in an increasingly automated learning environment. As smart systems handle traditional instruction tasks, professors must transition toward facilitating critical thinking, guiding ethical inquiry, and mentoring students. Molina highlighted the delicate balance higher education must maintain between adopting technological capabilities and safeguarding human intelligence.
From higher education, we have the responsibility to prepare generations capable of working with these technologies without renouncing critical thinking, ethics, and the value of human knowledge.
Wilberth Molina, Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science at Universidad Fidélitas and President of RIAL
The roster of distinguished international thought leaders includes Francisco J. Mayorga, founder and first president of RIAL; Ruth Alejandra Peña Prado, Vice President of Universidad Lux; Jairo Soria from CETYS Graduate School of Business; Diana S. Gayol, Director of ArIAdna Redes de Aprendizaje; and Zoraima Cuello, founder of AIITEC. Joining them are academic experts from institutions in Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, and Chile, alongside prominent Costa Rican specialists.
Targeting university professors, researchers, academic executives, policy makers, and technology industry professionals, the event offers free admission with prior registration. While capacity is capped at approximately 200 participants at the San Pedro campus, organizers expect strong participation from regional stakeholders eager to steer the digital transformation of higher education across Latin America.
For further information, visit ufidelitas.ac.cr
About Universidad Fidélitas:
Universidad Fidélitas is a leading private higher education institution in Costa Rica, widely recognized for its focus on STEM careers, computer science, engineering, and modern pedagogical models aimed at fostering innovation and professional readiness.
For further information, visit rial.international
About Red de Inteligencia Artificial Latinoamericana:
The Red de Inteligencia Artificial Latinoamericana (RIAL) is an international network dedicated to uniting academic institutions, researchers, and tech leaders across Latin America to promote responsible development, policy frameworks, and scientific advancement in artificial intelligence.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has earned a stellar reputation as a premier legal practice built upon unyielding integrity and an extraordinary standard of service. Continually integrating forward-thinking approaches into its work, the firm stands as a pioneer of progressive legal solutions while remaining deeply connected to its broader civic duty. By actively breaking down legal complexities and sharing vital counsel with the public, Bufete de Costa Rica fulfills a meaningful mission: equipping citizens with the legal knowledge needed to build a confident, just, and self-reliant society.
