Brazil’s Strategic AI Ambitions: The Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan and Regulatory Challenges

Recently, Brazil took a significant step in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with the presentation of its first Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA). This ambitious plan includes the acquisition of one of the world’s five most powerful supercomputers and an investment of up to R$ 23 billion over four years, signaling Brazil’s intent to become a leader in AI. The PBIA aims to guide the ethical and sustainable development and application of AI in Brazil, covering research, development, and regulation to ensure citizens’ safety and privacy. The plan was developed with input from over 300 people and 117 public, private, and civil society institutions, involving more than 30 bilateral meetings.

In parallel, the Senate’s Temporary Internal Committee on Artificial Intelligence (CTIA) is engaged in ongoing ideological disagreements regarding AI regulation. The proposed law seeks to protect individuals affected by AI systems and provide legal security for innovation and technological development. However, the opposition argue that it grants excessive regulatory power to the government and could hinder technological progress.

The AI regulations proposed by the CTIA are modeled after the new global AI regulations established by the EU. These regulations emphasize the importance of transparency, security, and reliability; protection of privacy, personal data, and copyright; and respect for ethics, human rights, and democratic values. The CTIA’s proposed regulations further suggest classifying AI applications by risk levels and specifying regulatory requirements and penalties for each category, similarly to the EU AI Act.

Despite the challenges and debates, the progress of the PBIA and the ongoing discussions about AI regulation in Brazil highlight the subject’s economic and technological importance, which aligns Brazil with global concerns and regulatory efforts seen in the United States, the European Union (EU), and China. By fostering technological and research advancements within a robust regulatory framework, the plan has the potential to generate jobs, boost the economy, and prepare the country for future challenges.

References:

https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/968967-PROPOSTA-REGULAMENTA-UTILIZACAO-DA-INTELIGENCIA-ARTIFICIAL

https://oglobo.globo.com/economia/noticia/2024/07/30/plano-brasileiro-de-ia-preve-r-23-bi-supercomputador-e-sistema-para-o-sus.ghtml

https://www.gov.br/mcti/pt-br/acompanhe-o-mcti/noticias/2024/07/plano-brasileiro-de-ia-tera-supercomputador-e-investimento-de-r-23-bilhoes-em-quatro-anos

https://www.forbes.com/sites/johannacostigan/2024/03/22/chinas-new-draft-ai-law-prioritizes-industry-development/?sh=4958283c6095&ref=nucleo.jor.br

https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/internacional/noticia/2024-05/europa-cria-referencia-global-com-legislacao-historica-para-conter-ia

https://asiasociety.org/policy-institute/picking-rose-leaving-thorn-why-chinas-ai-regulations-are-worth-careful-examination

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Author: Ana Paula Rocha