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Artificial Intelligence Transcends Technology and Becomes a Matter of National Sovereignty

Artificial intelligence has gone from being just a technological tool to becoming a field of geopolitical dispute between the world's greatest powers. “We live in a society where every discussion about AI becomes geopolitical and global,” said Fábio Coelho, president of Google in Brazil, during the Think with Google event. according to a report by UOL. This statement perfectly sums up the moment we are living in.

I have been following the evolution of AI for over a decade, and in my career supporting startups and technology companies, I have observed how the decisions of the United States and China directly impact technological development in Brazil. What is at stake goes far beyond tools that write texts or generate images – we are talking about global influence, economic power, and even national sovereignty.

China Accelerates and Intensifies Competition with the US

A clear example of this technological race is the recent announcement by Chinese startup DeepSeek, which has released a major update to its language model DeepSeek-V3-0324. According to Folha de S.Paulo, the model demonstrated significant improvements in areas such as reasoning and coding capabilities, intensifying competition with American leaders such as OpenAI and Anthropic.

Interestingly, China is investing heavily in AI infrastructure and development, offering lower operating costs and competing aggressively with Western solutions. This move is reshaping the global technology board.

At the same time, Google announced Gemini 2.5, considered its “smartest” AI model to date, as reported by TechTudo. The model demonstrates the ability to “think” before responding and performs better in complex areas. This evolution reflects the intensity of competition in the sector.

Impacts in Brazil and the Challenge of Global Insertion

For Brazil, this geopolitical dispute brings challenges and opportunities. Google is about to open a second engineering center in the country, at IPT, reinforcing Brazil's importance in this scenario. However, as I have warned in my mentoring sessions for startups, we need to build our own capacity so that we do not become totally dependent on foreign technologies.

A worrying fact in this regard was the recent denial of American visas for two Brazilian researchers specializing in AI, according to a report by Folha de S.Paulo. This reflects increased caution in visa analyses amid the US-China technology dispute, which could affect future collaborations and academic exchanges involving Brazilian researchers.

In my lectures on innovation ecosystems, I always emphasize the need to build bridges of international cooperation, but also to strengthen our internal technological base. The geopolitical game of AI requires clear strategies from countries that want to maintain their relevance.

The Transformation of Work and Professions

Another key aspect of this technological revolution is its impact on the world of work. Bill Gates recently listed three professions that he believes will survive the AI era: health sciences, alternative energy, and the development of artificial intelligence. According to The Antagonist, Gates emphasized that the creativity and innovation needed in these areas cannot yet be replicated by machines.

In Brazil, we have already observed a significant adoption of AI in several professions. According to a study cited by Valor Econômico, 55.1% of Brazilian lawyers already use AI in their daily activities, highlighting its usefulness in tasks such as document analysis and creation of legal documents.

LinkedIn also released interesting data showing that marketing, sales, recruiting and customer service are implementing AI in significant ways, according to a report by Estadão.

In my work with startups and companies, I have observed that the key to navigating this new landscape is the development of what I call CACACA skills (Creativity and Autonomy; Collaboration and Adaptability; Connection and Affection). These are the fundamental skills that will not be easily replaced by AI.

Ethical Challenges and Emerging Risks

The rapid evolution of AI also raises significant ethical concerns. A recent study from Tulane and Chicago universities found that AI-powered search engines like Google and ChatGPT tend to reinforce pre-existing beliefs by personalizing responses based on the terms used, as reported by O Globo. This can create information bubbles and deepen polarization, a significant risk for public debate.

Another worrying case was the misuse of an image in a deepfake video to sell a “miracle tea” against lipedema. According to BBC News Brazil, Tânia Carvalho was a victim of this type of manipulation, raising discussions about ethics and security in the reproduction of images through AI.

It also came to light that Meta used a pirated database, LibGen, to train its Llama model, according to the Future Indicative. This case reveals the complexity and legal dilemmas in AI development, pointing to the urgent need for discussions on the responsible use of data.

In my consulting services for companies developing AI solutions, I always emphasize the importance of considering ethical aspects from the beginning of the development process. Technology should serve people, respecting rights and promoting collective well-being.

Opportunities for Brazilian Companies and Startups

Despite the challenges, there are significant opportunities for Brazilian companies and startups in the field of AI. One example is the potential of technology to strengthen ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) practices. According to experts cited by GZH, AI can streamline operations and improve efficiency, providing significant benefits to businesses of all sizes.

In the legal sector, the adoption of AI is already a reality. The study “Impact Report of GENERATIVE AI in Law” indicates a growth in the adoption of legal AI and the need for training lawyers to optimize the use of technology.

In my mentoring work with startups, I have observed a significant increase in the number of entrepreneurs developing AI-based solutions for various sectors. Brazil has the talent and creativity to position itself in this market, but we need more investment, specialized training and adequate public policies.

Conclusion: Brazil at the AI Crossroads

Brazil is at a crossroads: we can be mere consumers of technologies developed by the US and China, or we can build our own capacity and position ourselves as relevant players in this scenario. The decision we make now will define our position in the coming decades.

In my experience supporting the development of thousands of startups, I have realized that our capacity for adaptation and innovation is enormous. We have world-class research institutions and talented entrepreneurs. What we need is a strategic direction and an ecosystem that favors innovation in AI.

As I have emphasized in my consulting on innovation ecosystems, we need a coordinated approach involving government, academia, companies and investors. AI is not just a technology, but a new paradigm that is redefining global competitiveness.

In my mentoring work for startups, I have helped entrepreneurs identify opportunities in this new scenario and develop strategies to integrate AI into their business models. If your company or startup is looking to navigate this complex technological environment, consider strategic mentoring to guide your positioning.

The global AI board is being redrawn daily. It's up to us to decide whether we will be pieces or players.