Brasil's challenge to become independent in AI

Brasil's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Luciana Santos, took part on Friday (19) in an online press conference with international press correspondents based in Brasil. On the occasion, Santos spoke about the country's reinsertion into the world of science and technology, with an emphasis on the strategic nature and diversity of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), aiming to technological cooperation between the G20 member countries.

The minister said that "President Lula decided to fully recompose the National Science and Technology Development Fund", which had been contingent until 2026 by the previous government, through means of a provisional measure. With this recomposition, BRL 10 billion from the Fund were used, in addition to BRL 2 billion from other sources, for the recovery and expansion of research infrastructure, the health industrial complex, the mechanization of family farming, the climate agenda, the energy transition, digital transformation, the Mais Inovação and Pro Mais Amazônia programmes and strategic nuclear energy projects, such as the multipurpose reactor, which aims to make Brasil autonomous in the production of radioisotopes and in the space area.

Luciana Santos questioned the fact that Brasil depends on value-added products, given that, as well as being a major producer and exporter of commodities, the country is a leader in clean energy matrix technologies, social technologies such as SUS, technologies developed by Embrapa (Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation), which guarantee increase of food productivity, and in the airline industry, with technologies developed by Embraer (Brazilian Aircraft Company).

The minister also argued that, in order to maintain its leadership in the energy transition, Brasil needs to take part in discussions on biomass, the green hydrogen phenomenon, low-carbon hydrogen and the challenges of space and digital transformation - ranging from digital literacy to artificial intelligence, a technology that will change production relations around the world. 

The minister, citing the impact on the world of work, pointed out that the G20 Digital Economy Working Group has a comprehensive view of Artificial Intelligence, since it offers great opportunities but also great risks. Studies show that trillions of dollars are being invested in this area around the world, showing the worrying possibility of regional asymmetry and even between countries in the same region, covering ethical issues, crime, privacy, data protection and net neutrality. 

Regarding the regulation and accountability of big techs, Minister Luciana Santos assured that the Brazilian federal government is attentive to their impacts, both in terms of protecting citizens, who are victims of digital violence due to fake news, manipulation of facts and misinformation. 

With regard to Brasil leading the debate on Artificial Intelligence in the world, including the interests of Global South countries, the minister concluded by saying that "the Global South needs to create a protection network that brings more synergy between countries, to combat regional inequality and asymmetry, not least because the whole world is moving in this direction".

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