AI Radar: From China to Brazil – How Manus AI and Technology Investments Are Redefining the Global Landscape

The world of artificial intelligence is constantly evolving, and in the last 24 hours, we have witnessed significant developments that deserve our attention. From China emerging with revolutionary technology to million-dollar investments in AI in Brazil, the scenario is constantly changing. Let's analyze what really matters in this scenario and how it affects the future of business and society.

Manus AI: China Advances Technology That Turns Thoughts into Actions

The race for AI supremacy has gained a powerful new competitor. Manus AI, developed by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, is being touted as the “new DeepSeek” and promises to completely transform the way we interact with machines. How? By converting thoughts directly into actions, without the need for explicit commands.

Second TechTudo information, the manufacturer describes the technology as the “next paradigm of human-machine collaboration.” This isn’t just another incremental advancement — we’re talking about a technology that many consider a concrete glimpse into Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

For the Brazilian startup ecosystem, this development is a wake-up call: the pace of Chinese innovation in AI has been accelerating at an impressive rate. I’ve been watching this movement for a few years now, and China is definitely setting new standards in cutting-edge technologies.

SXSW 2025: The Convergence of AI, Energy, Climate and Health

South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025 confirmed a trend that I have been highlighting in my talks: AI is no longer an isolated topic, but rather the gravitational center that connects all other sectors of the economy. According to InfoMoney, the event highlighted how AI is transforming critical areas such as healthcare, energy and solutions to the climate crisis.

One particularly relevant observation from the event was the emphasis on issues of inclusion and equity in AI development. There is no point in having revolutionary technologies if they only amplify existing inequalities. This is something I always emphasize when working with startups in the acceleration phase – technology should serve to democratize opportunities, not to concentrate them.

Another interesting point was the discussion about nuclear energy as a potential solution to the climate crisis. This demonstrates how innovation often leads us to reconsider solutions that we had previously discarded.

Communication and Trust: The Pillars of Technology Adoption

One of the most valuable insights from SXSW was the understanding that the challenges of innovation are not just technological. Building narratives that integrate these changes into society is equally fundamental. As an entrepreneur who has worked with innovation for over two decades, I can say that successful technologies are not just the most advanced, but those that manage to build a relationship of trust with their users.

R$ 15 Million for AI Solutions in the Brazilian Production Sector

Brazil is moving. According to CGN, the government of Paraná launched the HubX Artificial Intelligence notice, allocating R$15 million for the development of AI-based solutions for industry and services.

This initiative is exactly the kind of action we advocate when we talk about the need for public policies to strengthen the innovation ecosystem. The focus on aspects such as process optimization and predictive analysis demonstrates a mature understanding of the most strategic applications of AI in the production context.

When I participated in the creation of Start-Up Brasil, the first national program to support startups, we already argued that the government has a fundamental role as a catalyst for innovation. Seeing initiatives like this emerging at the state level is a positive sign of the maturity of our ecosystem.

The Personalization of Technology: WhatsApp Will Allow You to Create AI Assistants

Personalization is at the heart of the next generation of digital products. According to Terra, WhatsApp is developing a feature that will allow users to create personalized virtual assistants directly within the app.

This feature represents a trend I’ve been observing: the democratization of AI tools. We’re no longer just talking about large corporations using AI to optimize operations, but about everyday users personalizing their digital experiences.

For entrepreneurs, this opens up a world of possibilities. Imagine startups creating specialized virtual assistants for specific niches, distributed through mass platforms like WhatsApp. The barrier to entry for AI-based businesses is decreasing dramatically.

McDonald's Embraces AI to Reinvent the Customer Experience

Even traditional giants are renewing themselves through AI. According to Carta Capital, McDonald's is integrating AI to personalize service and optimize operations, with ambitious plans to open 2,200 new locations.

This move illustrates a lesson I often share with corporations: technology isn’t just for startups. Established companies can (and should) use AI as a lever to stay relevant and competitive.

What stands out to me in this case is how McDonald's is using AI not just for operational efficiency, but to improve the customer experience and increase brand loyalty. It's using technology with a focus on customer perceived value, not just cost reduction.

AI and Adult Content: Urgent Ethical Challenges

Not everything is rosy in the advancement of AI. According to a report by G1, AI-generated pornography is transforming the adult entertainment industry, raising serious ethical questions about consent and deepfakes.

This is one of the most worrying aspects of technological advancement. Regulation is not keeping pace with the speed of innovation, creating grey areas where abuses can occur.

As an advocate for responsible innovation, I believe the technology sector needs to get ahead of these issues by implementing ethical safeguards from the very beginning of product design. Self-regulation is a necessary path forward as regulatory frameworks develop.

What Do These Movements Mean for Brazilian Entrepreneurs?

Analyzing this news panorama, I identify three great opportunities for Brazilian entrepreneurs and startups:

• Democratization of AI tools: With platforms like WhatsApp opening up their APIs to custom assistants, startups can create specialized solutions without having to build the entire infrastructure.
• Targeted investments: Notices such as the one in Paraná demonstrate that resources are being directed towards AI projects applied to productive sectors.
• Need for ethical solutions: There is a growing space for startups to develop tools for verification, authentication and protection against misuse of AI.

On the other hand, I also see significant challenges:

• Fierce international competition: The advancement of Chinese companies like Butterfly Effect shows that global competition is increasingly intense.
• Need for interdisciplinarity: The SXSW discussions show that success in AI requires not only technical knowledge, but also social and communication skills.
• Complex ethical issues: Entrepreneurs will need to navigate them wisely to build long-term sustainable solutions.

The Future of AI is Built Today

What the news from the last 24 hours shows us is that the future of AI is being built now, in real time, through decisions made by entrepreneurs, corporations and governments around the world.

The speed at which China is advancing technologies such as Manus AI should serve as a warning to Brazil. We cannot be content with simply being consumers of foreign technologies – we need to develop our own capabilities in strategic areas of AI.

At the same time, initiatives such as the HubX call for proposals in Paraná show that there are paths being opened. The challenge is to amplify these initiatives and create a coordinated movement that involves universities, companies, investors and the government.

In my mentoring sessions with AI startups, I always emphasize the importance of balancing technological ambition with practical application. The value of AI lies not in its technical sophistication, but in the real problems it solves for people and organizations.

Now is the time to seize opportunities that arise, whether in the form of funding notices, new platforms or market demands that have not yet been met. The Brazilian AI ecosystem is still in formation, and every entrepreneur has the chance to influence its direction.

Whether you’re building an AI startup or implementing AI solutions in your company, my advice is to stay up to date on global developments, but focus on solving local problems with excellence. It’s in this balance between global vision and local execution that the greatest opportunities lie.

In my mentoring and consulting projects, I have helped entrepreneurs and companies navigate this complex scenario, identifying concrete opportunities and developing strategies to take advantage of them. The AI revolution is just beginning, and Brazil has all the conditions to be a protagonist in this journey.