AI Radar: Alexa+ with Generative AI, The Oscars and China Move the Tech Landscape

We are living in a period of intense transformation in the artificial intelligence ecosystem. In the last 24 hours, we have seen significant movements that are redefining the use of AI in consumer products, the creative industry, and even geopolitical relations. As an entrepreneur who has closely followed technological developments for more than two decades, I see that these developments bring both opportunities and challenges for startups and established companies.

Amazon revamps Alexa with generative AI

Amazon has finally revealed its strategy for competing in the competitive market for virtual assistants powered by generative AI. The new version of the assistant, called Alexa+, incorporates generative AI technologies provided in part by Anthropic (creator of Claude) and promises a much more personalized and proactive experience.

The launch, initially scheduled for March in the US, will be free for Amazon Prime subscribers and will cost US$19.99 for everyone else. This move clearly represents an attempt by Amazon to regain relevance. in a market where it had been losing ground to competitors such as Apple's Siri and Google's recently launched Gemini.

Second Terra information, the new Alexa will be able to store user preferences and interact in a more contextualized and natural way. In my view, this represents an important change in the way virtual assistants become integrated into everyday life.

In my mentoring sessions with tech startups, I always emphasize that one of the main challenges of AI in the home environment has been precisely overcoming user frustration with limited and mechanical responses. Alexa+ seems to want to directly attack this problem, raising the bar for the entire industry.

AI in Hollywood: Creative Transformation Under the Oscar Spotlight

The approach of the 2025 Oscar ceremony has brought to the fore important discussions about the use of AI in the film industry. According to Veja report, several nominated films already use artificial intelligence to improve technical aspects, such as voice adjustments and performance enhancement.

What strikes me about this scenario is the contrast between enthusiasm for technical advances and concern for creative authenticity. Recent data indicates that 421% of entertainment professionals fear that AI could harm their careers, while technology is increasingly present in the various stages of film production.

This dilemma is not unique to Hollywood.. In the Brazilian startup ecosystem, I have observed the same kind of tension in media and entertainment companies. The key to navigating this transition, in my experience, is to understand AI not as a replacement for human creativity, but as an enhancer of it.

China advocates global and inclusive AI governance

In a significant move for the geopolitics of technology, China has expressed support for the Brazilian proposal for a Declaration on AI Governance, highlighting that this technology should not be used as a tool to maintain geopolitical hegemonies.

Second report from Brasil de Fato, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stressed that AI should be a common good that respects human rights and is accessible to all countries.

This positioning reflects a dispute that goes far beyond technology itself. AI development is becoming a new diplomatic battleground, where Brazil has the opportunity to play a relevant role as a mediator and proponent of balanced solutions.

In my career supporting the development of innovation ecosystems, I have always argued that emerging countries like Brazil need to have an active voice in defining the rules that will govern the technology of the future. Seeing our diplomacy taking the lead in this area is a positive sign for the national technology ecosystem.

DeepSeek accelerates launch and intensifies global AI competition

Chinese startup DeepSeek has announced that it is bringing forward the launch of its R2 model, which promises to bring significant improvements over the R1 – a model that had already impacted markets by drastically reducing AI processing prices.

According to the Digital Look, the company has attracted global attention for offering competitive models at much more affordable prices than Western competitors, raising important questions about the competitive dynamics of the sector.

The DeepSeek case perfectly illustrates what I have observed in the global AI market: innovation is becoming democratized and will not be restricted to large American companies. This represents both an opportunity and a challenge for Brazilian entrepreneurs working in the technology sector.

In my talks about the future of innovation, I often point out that access to more affordable AI models opens up space for startups to create specialized solutions without relying exclusively on giants like OpenAI or Google. It is in this type of scenario that agile entrepreneurs can find valuable niches.

A Necessary Counterpoint: AI and Economic Growth

Amidst so much enthusiasm, an analysis published by Economic Value brings up an important counterpoint: the expectation that AI will result in sustained economic growth may be illusory. According to experts cited in the article, exaggerated optimism needs to be balanced with a more realistic understanding of the limits of this technology.

This more skeptical perspective reinforces something I always advocate in my consulting work: technology alone is not a panacea. The real value of AI lies in how it is applied to solve concrete problems, not in the abstract promise of transformation.

The history of technology teaches us that hype cycles rarely play out exactly as predicted. As a startup mentor, I always advise founders to be wary of grandiose promises and focus on applications that deliver measurable value.

WeON: Brazilian expansion in the AI market

A positive note to end our radar comes from WeON, a Brazilian technology company that is celebrating 21 years of operation with an expansion focused on artificial intelligence solutions. According to the Earth, the company is implementing innovations and a new communication model, with the expectation of increasing its revenue thanks to investments in AI.

Cases like WeON are particularly meaningful to me. Over the more than 25 years that I have been working with technology entrepreneurship in Brazil, I have advocated the importance of national companies investing in cutting-edge technologies to remain competitive.

The fact that a Brazilian company has been around for more than two decades and is at the forefront of AI adoption demonstrates the maturity and resilience that our technological ecosystem has been achieving. We need more cases like this, which serve as inspiration and show possible paths for other national companies.

Reflections and implications for the Brazilian ecosystem

Looking at this set of news, I identify some important implications for Brazilian entrepreneurs and organizations:

• Democratization of AI tools: With companies like DeepSeek reducing the cost of accessing advanced models, Brazilian startups have increasing opportunities to develop innovative applications without prohibitive investments;
• Need for critical vision: Amidst the excitement, it is critical to maintain a balanced perspective on the real potential of AI to generate sustainable economic value;
• Brazil's role in global governance: The Brazilian initiative to propose a Declaration on AI Governance, supported by China, opens space for the country to have an active voice in defining rules for this strategic sector;
• Opportunities in traditional sectors: As we have seen in the case of the film industry, AI is creating new possibilities even in sectors with well-established creative traditions.

In my mentoring work with entrepreneurs and startups, I have reinforced the importance of observing these trends with a strategic eye. It’s not just about adopting AI for the sake of it, but to deeply understand how it can transform business models and generate real competitive advantages.

A vision for the future

The outlook for AI in 2025 is one of acceleration, but also of increasing complexity. Geopolitical tensions, ethical challenges and questions about real economic impact will intensify as the technology becomes more widespread.

For Brazilian entrepreneurs and managers, my recommendation is clear: stay up to date, try out the new tools available, but don't lose sight of the fact that the real value lies in the careful application of technology to solve significant problems.

I have dedicated a significant part of my work as a consultant and mentor to helping organizations navigate this complex landscape, identifying concrete opportunities amidst the fog of technological hype. If you are looking for guidance on how AI can transform your business or startup, get in touch to discuss mentoring and strategic consulting opportunities.

As I always say in my talks about the future of work and innovation: technology is just the beginning of the story. The real competitive edge lies in how you use it to create unique value. And this is a vision I will continue to champion as we follow the next chapters of this technological revolution.