Europe Emerges as 3rd Global AI Force: Is Brazil Ready or Will It Be Swallowed Up?

The global artificial intelligence landscape is changing rapidly, and the last 24 hours have brought significant developments that deserve our attention. While Europe is taking a strategic leap with billion-dollar investments, China is presenting a fully autonomous AI that promises to revolutionize the way we interact with technology. We are seeing an unprecedented acceleration in the development of these technologies – and Brazil urgently needs to define its position in this new world.

Europe: from regulator to AI powerhouse

The most impactful news of the last few days comes from the European Union, which announced investments of 200 billion euros in AI, consolidating its position as the third global force in the sector, behind only the United States and China. It is a significant change in stance for a bloc that until now was seen mainly as a regulator.

During the AI Action Summit, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen highlighted that AI can boost competitiveness and democratize access to knowledge. Interestingly, 60 countries, including Brazil, India and China, signed a cooperation agreement, while the United Kingdom and the United States abstained, citing national security concerns and fears that overregulation could “kill” the growing industry.

Second UOL report, Europe is now seeking to question how its previous emphasis on regulation has impacted innovation in the bloc. It’s a dilemma I’ve been discussing for years: how do we balance responsible regulation with the need to foster innovation?

Manus AI: Chinese digital autonomy advances

Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, China is demonstrating its capacity for innovation with the launch of Manus AI, billed as the “first fully autonomous general artificial intelligence agent.” Developed by startup Butterfly Effect, this technology performs complex tasks independently, combining different AI models to perform various tasks without human intervention.

According to the TecMundo, Manus AI surpasses conventional bot functions by managing information in real time and making decisions on its own. Access to the technology is restricted to invitations, which further increases curiosity about its true capabilities.

This development is not isolated. As noted by columnist Pedro Doria in O Globo, AI is advancing faster than expected, with small companies launching specialized models that compete directly with giants like OpenAI and Google. In addition to Manus, we have Sesame from the US (a voice-based conversational model) and Mistral Saba from France (focused on Arabic), demonstrating a trend towards more accessible and specialized models.

The Brazilian dilemma: data center hub or technological protagonist?

And where does Brazil stand in this scenario? Unfortunately, our position is delicate. Without a national Big Tech, we run the risk of facing impositions from foreign companies and being left out of the decisions that will define the future of technology.

Brazil intends to establish itself as a data center hub, with estimated investments of R$50 billion. It is an interesting strategy, but we need to go beyond infrastructure. As I have been advocating in my mentoring and consulting, we need to develop local AI skills, train talent and create an environment conducive to technology startups that can compete globally.

The truth is that we face a complex dilemma: how can we balance regulation and innovation when we do not have any major national companies in the sector? How can we overcome internal rivalries and create assertive planning?

Amy Webb of Future Today Strategy Group reinforced this concern in a recent presentation covered by Economic Value, highlighting that Brazil faces structural challenges that hinder its position in the global AI scenario. She introduced the concept of 'living intelligence', calling for a continuous evolution in companies' technological approaches.

Regulation: the Spanish case

While we debate our position, Spain is moving forward with concrete measures. The Spanish government has approved a bill that imposes heavy fines on companies that use AI-generated content without properly labeling it. According to report by ISTOÉ Dinheiro, the project aims to curb the use of deepfakes and ensure transparency in high-risk AI systems.

It is an example of regulation that seeks to protect citizens without necessarily impeding innovation. For Brazil, this type of approach could be an interesting path, but we need to adapt it to our specific reality and needs.

AI and society: impacts beyond work

A fascinating point made at SXSW 2025 by Scott Galloway, and reported by Medium & Message, is that the biggest impact of artificial intelligence may not be replacing jobs, but rather increasing loneliness. Galloway discussed how technology is transforming social interactions and predicts growing concerns about technology addiction.

This perspective reminds us that we need to view AI not just as an economic or technological force, but as something that profoundly transforms our social fabric. In my work with companies and startups, I have increasingly emphasized the importance of developing technologies that augment, not replace, human connections.

Digital security at risk

Another worrying aspect revealed in the last 24 hours comes from an investigation by Consumer Reports, reported by Technoblog, showing that popular AI voice cloning tools fail to take adequate measures to prevent fraud. The report raises warnings about the high potential for misuse of these technologies.

This is a reminder that as we race to adopt and develop AI, we must simultaneously create safeguards and security protocols that protect individuals and organizations.

The Future of AI: Human-Machine Collaboration

Bill Gates and Jensen Huang, as reported by Brazilian Post Office, advocate for stronger collaboration between humans and machines, where AI acts as a tool to complement human skills. The vision includes transforming the workplace, with specialized AI redefining tasks and creating new opportunities.

This perspective aligns with what I’ve been calling CACACA – an acronym I’ve coined to describe the six key skills needed by workers of the future: Creativity and Autonomy; Collaboration and Adaptability; Connection and Affection. These are precisely the human capabilities that machines will have the hardest time replicating.

The road ahead for Brazil

Given this scenario, what can we do? Based on my experience accelerating thousands of startups and building innovation ecosystems in Brazil, I suggest some directions:

• Investment in technological education: We need to train more programmers, data scientists and AI experts, not just to use foreign tools, but to create our own solutions.
• Assertive public policies: The government needs to create incentives for AI R&D, without stifling it with excessive regulations.
• Focus on strategic niches: Instead of trying to compete on all fronts, we can focus on areas where Brazil already has competitive advantages, such as agribusiness, renewable energy and health.
• Smart international partnerships: We need to collaborate with technological powers, but maintain our digital sovereignty.
• Development of local ecosystems: Strengthen innovation hubs in different regions of the country, creating critical mass for the emergence of innovative solutions.

In my mentoring work with entrepreneurs and companies, I have observed that those who are able to understand this complex scenario and position themselves strategically are reaping extraordinary results. The window of opportunity is open, but it will not remain that way indefinitely.

Conclusion: the time is now

The news of the last 24 hours shows us that AI development is accelerating, with new players emerging and traditional powers repositioning themselves. Brazil is at a crossroads – we can be content with being mere consumers of foreign technology or we can aspire to a more relevant role in this new economy.

In my view, we have all the ingredients to be a leader: creative talent, a significant domestic market and experience in solving complex problems with limited resources. What we need now is strategic vision and disciplined execution.

If you lead a company or startup and want to position yourself appropriately in this scenario of accelerated transformation, in my mentoring programs I help organizations navigate these changes, identifying concrete opportunities and developing effective strategies to harness the potential of AI in an ethical and sustainable way.

The future of AI is being written now, and Brazil has the chance to be an author, not just a spectator, of this story. The choice is ours.