Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most disruptive technologies of our time and that is influencing increasingly more aspects of our social, economic, and private lives. Given its invisible influence on human actions and interactions, AI is also an area of public interest that compels governments to question how to enable its potential, while guarding against its perils. In 2017 the government of Mexico, together with strategic actors from civil society, private sector, academia, and international cooperation, decided to develop the first AI strategy for the country and Latin America. What follows in this policy brief is the recount of the leaders of the initiative from government and civil society, along with recommendations for other governments seeking to develop AI strategies in the future.