Brazil at the Crossroads of AI: Between National Opportunities and International Barriers

The artificial intelligence scene in Brazil is at a peculiar moment. While we see ambitious companies emerging and global tools arriving in our market, Brazilian researchers face unexpected barriers to international collaboration. This contrast reveals a lot about our position on the global AI chessboard.

Brazilian researchers barred: what does this mean for our AI ecosystem?

A disturbing piece of news caught my attention today: Brazilian researchers specializing in AI are having their American visas denied. According to Folha, as the dispute between the US and China for leadership in AI intensifies, two Brazilian researchers had problems with their visas after being questioned about their studies in technology.

This raises an important warning: at a time of growing geopolitical tension, Brazil may be inadvertently being drawn into the mistrust that permeates relations between major powers. Our scientific community, which has historically benefited from international exchange, now faces obstacles that may limit our ability to absorb and contribute cutting-edge knowledge.

For a country seeking to position itself as an emerging technology hub, these barriers pose a significant challenge. We need to strengthen our national research infrastructure while also building diplomatic bridges that ensure our talent continues to have access to global collaboration.

Gemini 2.5: The new frontier of AI that “reasons”

About that, Google announced its Gemini 2.5 Pro Experimental, an AI model that promises greater “reasoning” capabilities to solve complex problems. Available only to Google One AI Premium subscribers, this advancement represents an important milestone in the development of more sophisticated AI tools.

The reasoning capabilities of AI models are not only an impressive technical advance, but also a crucial step forward for applications that require deeper contextual analysis. For Brazilian companies that rely on these technologies, access to more advanced models could mean greater global competitiveness.

The question remains: are we adequately preparing our professionals and companies to utilize these tools to their full potential? Or will we simply be passive consumers of this technology developed abroad?

Freedom: Brazil’s ambition in the AI market

Exciting news comes from Freedom, a Brazilian AI company that projects a turnover of R$500 million by 2030. Born with an initial investment of 6 million dollars, the company offers a platform for creating and managing personalized AI agents, with a focus on security as a competitive differentiator.

This type of initiative is exactly what we need to develop a truly Brazilian AI ecosystem. It is inspiring to see local entrepreneurs like Jaime de Paula, founder of Freedom and recognized in the big data sector, investing in building products that can compete globally.

The emphasis on security as a differentiator is also a smart strategic positioning, especially at a time when concerns about privacy and data protection are growing among companies and consumers.

Meta AI Studio arrives in Brazil: democratization or dependence?

The arrival of Meta AI Studio in Brazil marks an important moment in the democratization of AI tools. The platform allows anyone to create and share custom AIs through Instagram and Messenger, without the need for advanced technical knowledge.

On the one hand, this could significantly expand access to AI creation, allowing more Brazilians to experiment and develop customized solutions. On the other hand, it represents the continuation of our dependence on foreign platforms for technological development.

The challenge for our ecosystem is to use these tools as a springboard for developing our own skills and solutions, instead of being content with just being users of imported technologies.

Polarization amplified by algorithms

A worrying study highlighted by O Globo shows that AI-powered searches, such as Google and ChatGPT, tend to reinforce existing beliefs by personalizing responses for users. This algorithmic personalization can contribute to the formation of information bubbles, limiting exposure to diverse ideas.

In a country already marked by intense political polarization like Brazil, this trend in AI systems could exacerbate social divisions. It is essential that developers and technology companies consider the social impact of their algorithms, seeking to promote diversity of perspectives rather than simply reinforcing existing biases.

As users and creators of these technologies, we need to be aware of these effects and actively work to mitigate them, whether through modifications to algorithms or digital education for critical consumption of information.

Opera One and AI for everyday productivity

Opera has announced an interesting feature for its browser: AI Guide Commands, which allows users to manage their open tabs using natural language. For those who deal with dozens of open tabs on a daily basis (like me!), this type of tool can represent a significant productivity gain.

This is a practical example of how AI is subtly integrating itself into our digital daily lives, solving small problems that, when combined, consume hours of our attention. The real AI revolution lies not only in large models like Gemini, but also in these practical applications that incrementally improve our digital experience.

For Brazilian companies, there is an important opportunity to identify these friction points in everyday digital life and develop specific solutions for our market.

Path for THEM: diversity in Brazilian AI

One initiative that deserves to be highlighted is the project Path for THEM from the ELDORADO Institute and Softex, which already has more than 2,500 women enrolled in free online AI courses. This type of program is essential to increase diversity in a field traditionally dominated by men.

Diversity is not only a matter of social justice, but also a strategic imperative for developing more inclusive and inclusive AI systems. Diverse teams tend to identify problems and opportunities that would otherwise go unnoticed in homogeneous groups, resulting in better, more accessible products.

In my career as an entrepreneur and mentor, I have repeatedly seen how diverse teams create more innovative and resilient solutions. Investing in the training and inclusion of women and other underrepresented groups in technology is investing in Brazil’s competitive future in the field of AI.

ChatGPT and personal finance: practical cases of AI

A practical use of AI that is gaining popularity is support for personal financial organization through ChatGPT. From expense analysis to complete financial planning, the tool can be a valuable assistant for those seeking more control over their finances.

This type of application is a good example of how AI can democratize access to knowledge and tools that would previously have been exclusive to professional financial advisors. At the same time, it raises important questions about the privacy and security of sensitive data shared with these platforms.

For Brazilian entrepreneurs, there is a fertile field in creating financial assistants specialized in our economic reality, considering particularities such as inflation, multiple sources of income and the complexities of the national tax system.

The Dark Side: AI and Weapons in North Korea

Worrying news comes from North Korea, where Kim Jong Un oversaw testing of new AI-powered drones for strategic operations. This development illustrates how technology can be applied for potentially devastating military purposes.

It’s a grim reminder that while we discuss positive applications of AI, there’s also an arms race going on behind the scenes. The militarization of AI represents one of the greatest ethical and global security challenges we face today.

For Brazil, traditionally positioned as a defender of peace and non-proliferation of weapons, this scenario requires attention and positioning in international forums, defending regulations that limit autonomous military applications of AI.

Final Thoughts: Brazil’s Place in the AI Revolution

The news over the past 24 hours paints a complex picture of the current AI landscape, with impressive technological advances, promising business opportunities, inclusion challenges, and significant ethical and geopolitical concerns.

Brazil finds itself at a crossroads: we can be content to be passive consumers of these technologies, or we can take a more proactive role in defining how AI will be developed and applied globally.

To seize the opportunities and navigate the challenges of AI, we need to:

• Investment in inclusive technological education, preparing diverse professionals to create and not just consume AI
• Public policies that encourage research and development in AI applied to Brazilian challenges
• Active technology diplomacy, ensuring that our researchers and companies have access to international collaborations
• Ethics and responsibility in developing AI systems that respect our cultural diversity and social values

In my mentoring and consulting work with startups and technology companies, I have seen a growing enthusiasm for AI-based solutions. The potential is immense, but the competitive advantage will come from those who can apply these technologies ethically, inclusively and in a way that is aligned with the real needs of their users.

The future of AI in Brazil will not be defined solely by large companies or governments, but also by visionary entrepreneurs, dedicated researchers and engaged citizens who demand technologies that genuinely serve the common good.

How are you preparing for this future? Does your company already have a clear AI strategy? In my work with startups and corporations, I have helped teams navigate these complex waters and develop approaches that combine technological innovation with human purpose. If this is a challenge you face, let’s talk.