The panel titled "Challenges and Opportunities in Latin America for Research and Development", held as part of the workshop on Latin American Applications of Optimization and AI at the GECCO conference, convenes a diverse group of experts to examine the structural, institutional, and technological factors shaping the region’s scientific landscape. Panelists will address persistent barriers to innovation, including limited funding mechanisms, fragmented research ecosystems, and disparities in access to high-performance computing infrastructure. The discussion will also explore the impact of political and economic volatility on long-term research agendas, as well as the need for stronger regional collaboration and policy frameworks that support sustainable development through science and technology. 

In parallel, the panel will highlight emerging opportunities for Latin America to assert a more prominent role in global AI and optimization research. Topics include the strategic use of open-source tools, the rise of grassroots innovation networks, and the potential of AI applications tailored to local challenges in agriculture, health, and urban planning. Special attention will be given to the role of international conferences like GECCO in fostering visibility and inclusion for Latin American researchers, and to the importance of bilingual dissemination and culturally contextualized methodologies. The session aims to generate actionable insights and forge new alliances that can accelerate the region’s contribution to cutting-edge scientific inquiry.