El Salvador ICT Artificial Intelligence Law

El Salvador has recently enacted the Law for the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence and Technologies (AI Law), establishing a comprehensive legal and institutional framework to foster the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies in both the public and private sectors. The AI Law creates opportunities for U.S. companies specializing in AI solutions, AI infrastructure, and data management in key sectors such as health, finance, logistics, and national security.

On February 26, 2025, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly passed the Law for the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence and Technologies (AI Law), which created the National Artificial Intelligence Agency (ANIA) as a decentralized institution under the President’s Office, responsible for promoting, developing, and regulating AI technologies in El Salvador. The law mandates ANIA to establish a risk-assessment framework to balance innovation with public safety and social well-being, including mandatory requirements for AI systems handling confidential, restricted, or personal data. ANIA is also tasked with issuing technical security criteria for AI activities in public institutions.

Companies engaged in AI research and development are required to register with the ANIA to benefit from legal protections. These include immunity from liability for third-party misuse of AI tools, provided that reasonable efforts were made to ensure compliance with safety and ethical standards; immunity from liability for unintended consequences or errors in experimental AI activities conducted in non-commercial environments; and non-application of judicial measures that limit the use of open domain data.

Additionally, the AI Law promotes the establishment of AI labs, research centers, and technical partnerships with international partners, universities, and public institutions. Intellectual property rights resulting from AI research and development belong to the developer.  Private companies are prohibited from adopting practices that unjustifiably limit free competition in AI development, marketing, or AI systems implementation. 
Further details on the implementation will be included in the regulations of the law currently under development.  The Law for the Promotion of Artificial Intelligence and Technologies entered into force eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette. A copy of the laws is available in El Salvador’s Official Gazette.  Date of Publication March 3, 2025. 

For more information, contact the U.S. Commercial Service Office in San Salvador at office.sansalvador@trade.gov