Mexico has no general AI statute, but AI-specific rules have started to arrive. Since May 15, 2026, reforms to the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law require performers' contracts to set conditions and pay for the use of their image or voice through AI, and require a prior written agreement between the parties before AI is used to clone or impersonate a performer's voice or image in an audiovisual production. Many AI bills and proposed constitutional amendments are under review in Congress, among them a general AI law filed in the Senate on October 13, 2026. At least four earlier bills were archived, and the latest data protection law added an opt-out right for automated decision-making. The Chamber of Deputies has passed two reforms on AI-generated sexual imagery: a February 2026 reform treating it as digital violence, and an April 2026 reform creating a crime of violating sexual intimacy with prison terms of four to eight years, which the Senate referred to committees in September 2026.
Key points
- Many AI bills and proposed constitutional amendments on AI are under congressional review, and several predecessors were archived. On October 13, 2026 PAN senators filed a General Law for the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Promotion of the Digital Future, with a National AI System, unemployment insurance for jobs lost to AI, and a new AI ministry, plus a constitutional amendment authorizing Congress to legislate on AI.
- The Chamber of Deputies passed a reform on AI-generated sexual imagery on February 17, 2026 and a second on April 29, 2026 that would add a crime of violating sexual intimacy (Penal Code articles 199 octies and 199 nonies) with four to eight years in prison; the Senate received the second on September 2, 2026 and sent it to its justice, AI, and legislative studies committees.
- The updated federal data protection law includes an opt-out for automated decision-making.
- Since May 15, 2026, labor and copyright law require performers' contracts to set conditions and pay for AI use of their image or voice, and AI cloning or impersonation of a performer's voice or image in an audiovisual production needs a prior written agreement between the parties.
Laws and instruments
Federal data protection law, ADM provisions (applied to AI)
LFPDPPP, as revised
Mexico's data protection regime, whose latest revision added an opt-out requirement for automated decision-making, the most concrete AI-relevant obligation in force.
Effective: In force; ADM opt-out per latest revision
Timeline
- 2020 to 2025
Multiple AI bills introduced; at least four archived.
- 2025
Data protection revision adds automated decision-making opt-out.
- February 17, 2026
Chamber of Deputies passes a reform on AI-generated sexual imagery and sends it to the Senate.
- 2026 to date
AI bills and constitutional amendments on AI under review in Congress.
- April 15, 2026
The Senate approves the labor and copyright reform on AI use of performers' image and voice and sends it to the Executive.
- April 29, 2026
The Chamber of Deputies passes a second reform creating the crime of violating sexual intimacy for AI-generated intimate content, with four to eight years in prison.
- May 14, 2026
The performers' AI reform is published in the Diario Oficial; it takes effect the next day.
- July 9, 2026
The Chamber of Deputies' Justice Committee approves a Federal Penal Code reform on digital identity theft that covers using AI to generate images, audio, or video to impersonate a person.
- September 2, 2026
The Senate receives the April reform and refers it to its justice, AI, and legislative studies committees.
- October 13, 2026
PAN senators file a general AI law and a constitutional amendment on AI; both go to Senate committees.
Who it applies to
AI systems processing personal data in Mexico face the data protection regime, including the ADM opt-out. Producers, employers, and anyone who uses a performer's image or voice through AI must meet the labor and copyright rules in force since May 15, 2026. Broader AI-specific duties await a bill passing.
Penalties
Data protection sanctions through the reconstituted privacy authority. IMPI can fine breaches of the copyright law's rules on the use of a performer's image and voice, AI outputs included, and on AI impersonation of performances, when committed for direct or indirect profit. The reform pending in the Senate would set four to eight years in prison and fines of 400 to 1,000 UMA days for sharing AI-generated intimate content of an identifiable person without consent.
Recent developments
October 13, 2026
Senate of Mexico
Mexican senators propose a general AI law and a constitutional amendment
PAN senators, among them Ricardo Anaya and Mauricio Vila, filed an initiative for a General Law for the Development of Artificial Intelligence and the Promotion of the Digital Future. It would create a National AI System, a national strategy, and a model for AI adoption in the public sector with proportional risk management, human oversight, transparency, and data protection, plus temporary unemployment insurance for jobs lost to AI and a Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and the Digital Future. A companion constitutional amendment would authorize Congress to issue a general law on AI within 180 days. Both went to Senate committees.
May 14, 2026
Diario Oficial de la Federación
Mexico requires consent and pay terms for AI use of performers' image and voice
A decree published May 14 and in force the next day amends the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law. Contracts with performers must set specific conditions and pay for the use of their image or voice through AI systems; the copyright law's consent requirement for a performer's image and voice now covers outputs generated by AI; performers gain a right against AI impersonation that clones their performances or identifiably simulates their voice, with exceptions for parody, satire, and creative imitation; and AI cloning or impersonation of a performer's voice or image in an audiovisual production requires a prior written agreement between the parties. Breaches of the image and impersonation rules committed for profit are infringements in commerce that IMPI can fine.
Common questions
Does Mexico have a comprehensive AI law?
Not yet. Mexico has no general AI statute, but AI-specific rules have started to arrive. Since May 15, 2026, reforms to the Federal Labor Law and the Federal Copyright Law require performers' contracts to set conditions and pay for the use of their image or voice through AI, and require a prior written agreement between the parties before AI is used to clone or impersonate a performer's voice or image in an audiovisual production. Many AI bills and proposed constitutional amendments are under review in Congress, among them a general AI law filed in the Senate on October 13, 2026. At least four earlier bills were archived, and the latest data protection law added an opt-out right for automated decision-making. The Chamber of Deputies has passed two reforms on AI-generated sexual imagery: a February 2026 reform treating it as digital violence, and an April 2026 reform creating a crime of violating sexual intimacy with prison terms of four to eight years, which the Senate referred to committees in September 2026.
What are the penalties for AI violations in Mexico?
Data protection sanctions through the reconstituted privacy authority. IMPI can fine breaches of the copyright law's rules on the use of a performer's image and voice, AI outputs included, and on AI impersonation of performances, when committed for direct or indirect profit. The reform pending in the Senate would set four to eight years in prison and fines of 400 to 1,000 UMA days for sharing AI-generated intimate content of an identifiable person without consent.
Who does AI regulation in Mexico apply to?
AI systems processing personal data in Mexico face the data protection regime, including the ADM opt-out. Producers, employers, and anyone who uses a performer's image or voice through AI must meet the labor and copyright rules in force since May 15, 2026. Broader AI-specific duties await a bill passing.
Cite this page
Artificial Intelligence Regulations, "AI Regulation in Mexico," reviewed October 26, 2026, https://artificialintelligenceregulations.com/jurisdictions/mexico.html.
Entries state the position as of the review date and link to the primary text for verification.
