AI Radar: From the Banking Revolution to Autonomous Agents — The Technological Landscape of the Last 24 Hours

Generative artificial intelligence is rapidly redefining several sectors of the Brazilian economy, and nowhere is this more visible than in the financial system. The news of the last 24 hours reveals a scenario of accelerated transformation that ranges from traditional banks to the new frontiers of digital archaeology and gastronomy — confirming trends that I have been observing for months about how AI is becoming increasingly present and autonomous in our daily lives.

Financial Hyperpersonalization: Banks Transformed by AI

At Web Summit Rio, it became clear that the banking model of 2024 is already a thing of the past. Generative artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the relationship between financial institutions and their customers, bringing a level of personalization and efficiency never before seen in the sector. According to report from Valor Econômico, AI solutions are redefining the banking experience, with technologies that enable voice-controlled transfers and almost fully automated service.

One notable example is PicPay, which has already implemented transfers between different banks via voice command, and NG Cash, where an impressive 90% of the services are handled by virtual assistants — a number that exceeds the market average. Even traditional banks are embarking on this journey: Itaú announced that it will introduce investment agents entirely operated by AI, available to more than 70 million customers.

Transformation goes beyond convenience. The stated goal of these institutions is to empower users to manage their finances. However, important ethical questions arise about the use of data to shape behavior and potentially manipulate consumer decisions — a topic that deserves careful attention from regulators and society.

From Pompeii to Pixel: AI Unraveling Historical Secrets

While the financial sector is undergoing a practical revolution, science is reaching new frontiers thanks to AI. In a fascinating convergence of cutting-edge technology and archaeology, researchers have managed to decipher a parchment preserved under the ashes of Vesuvius for almost two millennia. As reported by G1, the team used artificial intelligence combined with X-ray imaging technology to reveal texts that had remained hidden for centuries.

The method involved scanning the parchment through a particle accelerator, generating images that were processed by an AI model originally developed for medical analysis. This creative application of technology resulted in the identification of a work by the Epicurean philosopher Philodemus, entitled “On the Vices.”

This case perfectly illustrates how AI is transforming fields that have traditionally relied solely on human expertise. When models trained for one purpose (such as medical analysis) can be adapted to solve completely different problems (such as deciphering ancient texts), we see the true transformative potential of this technology.

Gastronomy Reinvented by Algorithms

Cuisine, one of the most human and cultural expressions that exists, is also being influenced by artificial intelligence. Renowned Spanish chef Ferran Adrià recently shared his thoughts on how AI can influence gastronomy, according to the Brazilian Post Office.

Adrià sees technology as a powerful tool in the kitchen, capable of optimizing processes and creating new gastronomic experiences. AI can help standardize recipes, ensuring consistent quality of dishes, and also analyze consumption data to predict culinary trends.

However, the chef highlights a crucial point that applies to all sectors: the importance of balancing technological innovation with the preservation of traditions. This balance between the new and the traditional It’s a challenge we face in virtually every area impacted by AI — how do we find the sweet spot where technology augments human creativity without completely replacing it?

AI Agents: The Necessary Debate on Autonomy and Regulation

A particularly relevant topic highlighted in the last 24 hours is the need to regulate so-called “artificial intelligence agents” — systems that perform tasks with limited human supervision. According to Poder360 analysis, the impact of AI has overshadowed the necessary debate about autonomous systems with the potential for harm.

Since 2022, questions about data scraping and privacy in AI platforms have been gaining relevance. Professor Virgílio Almeida highlights that user trust is fundamental to the effectiveness of these agents, suggesting that not all AI models should be freely available due to the associated risks.

This debate becomes even more relevant when we observe the rapid development of new models, such as China's Manus, described by InfoMoney as a general AI agent that acts with greater autonomy, delegating tasks to different “agents”. This approach promises more reliable responses, but raises security concerns due to the potential for malicious code creation.

The Brazilian Congress has a golden opportunity to act before we face a crisis related to AI governance. As I have highlighted in my lectures and mentoring sessions, we need a regulatory framework that balances innovation and safety, especially when we talk about increasingly autonomous systems.

IAmigos: The Worrying Frontier of Digital Relationships

One trend that deserves our critical attention is the emergence of so-called “AI friends” — virtual friends created by AI. According to UOL columnist, this new form of relationship raises profound questions about the impact of technology on real human interactions.

The phenomenon of digital loneliness, already exacerbated by years of pandemic, could be amplified by the reliance on chatbots to meet emotional needs. While technology promises to alleviate loneliness, there is a real risk that artificial friendships will further reduce our ability to build and maintain genuine human connections.

This is a classic example of what I call the “digital connection paradox” — the more tools we have to connect, the more isolated we can become if those tools replace, rather than complement, our human interactions.

The Year of AI Agents and Opportunities for Startups

Amidst all this, the accelerator Y Combinator (YC) released its 'Summer 2025' edition of Request for Startups, predicting that 2025 will be the “year of AI agents”. According to report from the Startups portal, YC highlights opportunities to create AI-centric businesses and suggests that entrepreneurs explore automation across multiple industries.

One particularly interesting tidbit is that YC has also expressed interest in funding AI research labs, acknowledging that the research may take years to result in marketable products, but still presents many opportunities.

This insight reinforces something I’ve been saying for years: we’re just at the beginning of the AI revolution, and the biggest opportunities are yet to come. For Brazilian entrepreneurs, now is the time to position their startups at the forefront of this transformation, especially in sectors where we have national expertise and local problems that can be solved with AI-based solutions.

AI in the Judiciary: The Brazilian System Advances

The Superior Council of Labor Justice has launched version 1.06 of Chat-JT, the Generative Artificial Intelligence of Labor Justice, now with a procedural search tool integrated into the Electronic Judicial Process (PJe) system. As reported by Consultor Jurídico, the update includes sophisticated natural language models and already has around 20 thousand registered users.

This case illustrates how the Brazilian public sector is also adopting AI to improve its services. However, important questions about liability and possible errors in system responses were raised, signaling the need for debates on regulating the use of this technology in the judicial system.

The adoption of AI by the Brazilian judiciary represents a significant advance, but it also requires special care. When algorithms participate in processes that directly impact the lives and rights of citizens, transparency and accountability become even more crucial.

The Three Keys to Maximizing Results with AI

Finally, Anthropic’s engineering experts have defined the key prompts that separate users who actually get results with AI from those who just take a chance without a method. According to article from Estadão, clear communication and prior knowledge are key to achieving superior results when interacting with AI technologies.

This point highlights something I always emphasize in my mentoring sessions: AI is a powerful tool, but its potential is only maximized when we know how to use it correctly. A strategic and informed approach makes all the difference in the results obtained.

Conclusion: The Future is Now – How to Position Yourself

The news of the last 24 hours paints a clear picture: artificial intelligence is no longer a future promise, but a present reality that is transforming every sector of the economy and society. From banking to archaeology, from gastronomy to the judiciary, AI is redefining processes and creating new possibilities.

The year 2025 looks set to be the “year of AI agents” — increasingly autonomous systems that can perform complex tasks with minimal human supervision. This trend brings enormous opportunities, but also significant challenges in terms of regulation, ethics, and societal impact.

For professionals, entrepreneurs and organizations, the moment demands a proactive stance: continuous learning, experimenting with new technologies and, above all, critically reflecting on how AI can be implemented in a responsible and human-centered way.

In my mentoring work with startups and companies, I have observed that those who best adapt to this new reality are those who understand AI not as a replacement for humans, but as a partner that amplifies our capabilities. The challenge is to find the perfect balance between automation and the human touch, between efficiency and empathy, between innovation and tradition.

The AI radar continues to show a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape. I’ll continue to track and share key trends and insights to help you navigate this new world of possibilities.