The Double Face of AI in Brazil: From Barred Researchers to Avatars on OnlyFans – What Happened in the Last 24 Hours

The artificial intelligence scene in Brazil is increasingly dynamic and reveals fascinating contrasts. On the one hand, we see cutting-edge Brazilian researchers being barred from international travel; on the other, technology is advancing in unexpected areas such as adult content. Meanwhile, studies show that we Brazilians are among the most optimistic in the world regarding the use of AI. But are we taking advantage of this potential strategically?

The analysis of the last 24 hours shows a complex panorama that deserves our attention. Let's examine the main news and understand what really matters for entrepreneurs, companies and the future of innovation in Brazil.

AI Geopolitics: When a Top Brazilian is Barred from the US

One of the most worrying news stories of the week was the case of Rodrigo Nogueira, founder of Maritaca AI and specialist in language models, who had his US entry visa denied. According to report by Poder360, Nogueira was going to give a lecture at Harvard, but now he will need to do it remotely.

This episode is not isolated. A French researcher also went through the same situation recently. Nogueira himself attributed the problem to his field of work, reflecting “the current moment of tensions around AI”.

What we see here is a clear indication of the growing geopolitical tension in the field of artificial intelligence. In my years working with technology and innovation startups, I have observed how AI has gone from being just a technology issue to becoming a central piece in the struggle for global power.

This type of barrier does not only affect individuals, but the entire Brazilian innovation ecosystem. When our talents face obstacles to collaborating internationally, we end up reducing our ability to absorb and contribute knowledge at the technological frontier.

AI in Unusual Areas: OnlyFans and the New Virtual Economy

In contrast to academic barriers, we see AI rapidly advancing into commercial sectors – including in unexpected areas. According to report by Olhar Digital, AI avatars are gaining traction on adult content platforms like OnlyFans and Privacy.

Expert Cleber Zanchettin, from UFPE, points out that this trend began in the US and Europe at the beginning of last year, but has only now reached Brazil with full force. And the numbers are impressive: there are reports of people earning more than R$20,000 in just three months with these avatars.

This phenomenon raises important questions about:

• The ethics and regulation of AI-generated content
• New forms of work and income generation in the digital economy
• The socioeconomic impact of these emerging technologies

More than the controversial side, what catches my attention as a trend observer is how AI is reconfiguring value chains in practically all industries – from the most conventional to the most disruptive.

And make no mistake: this is not a marginal issue. We are talking about a billion-dollar segment of the digital economy that, whether we like it or not, drives technological innovations that end up spilling over into other areas.

Brazilians and AI: An Optimistic People Eager for Technology

While we debate the ethical and geopolitical limits of AI, it is important to understand how Brazilians are interacting with this technology in their daily lives. And the data is surprising.

Second recent research published by TechTudo, carried out by Ipsos and Google, 60% of Brazilians believe that AI can bring professional benefits, surpassing the world average of 57%.

The main uses of AI by Brazilians are:

• Search for information online (81%)
• Personal Assistance (75%)
• Study support (74%)
• Writing Assistance (85%)
• Finding innovative solutions (88%)

These figures reveal a cultural openness to technology that is both an opportunity and a challenge. On the one hand, we have a population that is receptive to innovation; on the other, we need to ensure that this adoption is conscious and brings real benefits.

In my work with startups and companies undergoing digital transformation, I have seen how Brazilians’ receptiveness to AI can accelerate innovation processes – as long as it is accompanied by strategic vision and a focus on real value, not just technological innovation.

Education and AI: CAPES Invests in Innovative Projects

Particularly positive news comes from the educational field. According to CAPES official statement, the institution will select up to 30 projects that present innovative technological solutions in artificial intelligence for education.

The InovaEDUCAÇÃO call will accept proposals from April 15 to May 16, focusing on nine strategic areas:

• Learning platforms
• Intelligent tutoring systems
• Virtual assistants
• Automated evaluation system
• Performance analysis and learning
• Interactive games and simulations
• Accessibility tools
• Augmented and virtual reality
• Student retention

This initiative represents an important step forward in public policies focused on educational innovation. In my career as an entrepreneur and founder of the first neo-university in Latin America, I have argued that education is the field where AI can generate the most profound and lasting impacts.

Brazilian edtech startups have a valuable opportunity here not only to raise funds, but to contribute to the transformation of our education system, creating solutions that can scale and benefit millions of students.

The Silent Revolution: AI That “Thinks” Before Responding

Finally, one of the most interesting news about technological evolution comes from UOL Tilt report about a fundamental shift in the way AI models are being developed.

Unlike the traditional approach of simply increasing computing power and data (“AI on steroids”), the new trend is to develop models with “reasoning” capabilities – systems that “think” before responding.

This shift represents an important paradigm: It is not enough to just process more data, but to process it more intelligently and reflectively..

As the report notes: “It is a tendency in the industry itself to think about this idea of reasoning, which is not human, but to make the model reflect on the process before giving the answer.”

This evolution has profound implications for startups and technology companies, as it suggests that the competitive edge will not only lie in the volume of data or computational power, but in the quality of algorithms and the ability to simulate more sophisticated cognitive processes.

What Does All This Mean for the Brazilian Innovation Ecosystem?

Analyzing all of this news, I notice some clear trends and opportunities for the Brazilian ecosystem:

1. AI is rapidly spreading across all industries

From adult content platforms to public education, artificial intelligence is penetrating every sector of the economy and society. This creates demand for experts who understand not only the technology itself, but its specific applications in each context.

For entrepreneurs, this means looking for niches where AI can solve real problems with clear competitive advantages, rather than just applying the technology in a generic way.

2. The geopolitics of AI directly affects our ability to innovate

The case of the Brazilian researcher barred from the US is a warning: we need to develop strategies that reduce our dependence on international centers and strengthen our own research and development capacity in AI.

In my conversations with public and private sector leaders, I have advocated the importance of national AI development programs that go beyond specific applications, investing in fundamental research and advanced talent training.

3. There is a mismatch between optimism and preparation

Brazilians are optimistic about AI, but are we really prepared to harness its potential and mitigate its risks? Accelerated adoption needs to be accompanied by adequate digital literacy, ethics and governance.

In my mentoring work with startups, I often emphasize that it is not enough to incorporate AI into products – it is necessary to think about the entire user experience, ethical issues and the sustainability of the business model.

4. Quality trumps quantity

The evolution of AI models into systems that “reason” before responding suggests an industry move toward quality and sophistication, not just volume of data and processing.

This opens up opportunities for startups that may not be able to compete at scale with tech giants, but can develop niche solutions with smarter, more efficient approaches.

Challenges and Opportunities for Brazilian Startups

I see at least five great opportunities for Brazilian startups in the current scenario:

1. AI Solutions for Education

The CAPES call for proposals is just one example of the growing interest in AI applications in education. Startups that can develop personalized learning tools, intelligent tutoring and automated assessment have a huge potential market – not only in Brazil, but throughout Latin America.

During my experience in founding the first neo-university in Latin America, I was able to see the immense transformative potential of educational technologies when well applied. The current moment is particularly propitious for entrepreneurs in this sector.

2. Specific Verticals with “Thinking” AI

The trend towards AI models with “reasoning” capabilities opens up space for applications in sectors where decision quality is more important than speed or volume – such as healthcare, finance and law.

Startups that can adapt these advances to solve specific problems in these industries can create high value-added solutions.

3. AI for Content and Creativity

The case of avatars on OnlyFans is an extreme example, but it illustrates the potential of AI to create content. There are much broader and less controversial opportunities in areas such as marketing, design, audiovisual production and product development.

In my mentorships with media and creative startups, I have seen extraordinary results when AI is used to enhance (not replace) human creativity.

4. AI Governance and Ethics Tools

With the rapid adoption of AI, the demand for tools that ensure its ethical, transparent use, and alignment with human values, is growing. Startups that develop solutions for auditing algorithms, detecting biases, and explaining models have a growing market.

As an advocate for responsible innovation, I see that companies that build trust through ethical practices will have a sustainable competitive advantage.

5. AI for Inclusion and Accessibility

Brazil, with its historical inequalities, has much to gain from AI applications focused on social inclusion, accessibility, and reducing barriers. Startups in this space not only meet a social need, but can access specific impact resources.

In my work with innovation ecosystems, I have observed how ventures with a social purpose are able to attract not only investment, but also exceptional talent motivated by greater causes.

Building a Brazilian AI Ecosystem

Beyond the opportunities for individual startups, we need to reflect on how to strengthen the entire Brazilian AI ecosystem. In my experience supporting more than 10,000 startups, I have identified some critical elements for this development:

1. Accelerated Talent Development

We urgently need to expand and democratize AI training, both at technical and higher education levels. The CAPES call for proposals is an important step, but it is still insufficient in view of the growing demand for qualified professionals.

Initiatives such as bootcamps, technology residency programs and partnerships between academia and industry can help reduce this bottleneck.

2. Accessible Computing Infrastructure

Developing advanced AI models still requires significant computing power. We need policies that democratize access to GPU clusters and cloud computing services for Brazilian startups and researchers.

In my work with public innovation policies, I have defended the creation of shared infrastructures that can be accessed by entrepreneurs and researchers at subsidized costs.

3. Open Data and Public-Private Collaboration

Data quality is as important as the sophistication of algorithms. We need more open data initiatives and collaboration between the public, private and academic sectors to create relevant datasets for Brazil’s challenges.

4. Balanced Regulatory Framework

AI regulation is inevitable and necessary, but we need a framework that protects fundamental rights without stifling innovation. Brazil has the opportunity to create a balanced model, learning from the mistakes and successes of other jurisdictions.

As a former president of the Brazilian Startups Association and VP of the Dínamo Association, I have actively participated in discussions on technology regulation, and I believe that constructive dialogue between regulators and innovators is the only viable path.

5. Internationalization and Global Cooperation

Despite the geopolitical challenges illustrated by the case of the barred researcher, we cannot isolate ourselves. We need smart international cooperation strategies that allow us to participate in global AI knowledge networks without compromising our technological autonomy.

The Future of AI in Brazil: A Personal View

Analyzing all of this news and trends, I see both reasons for optimism and important warnings for the future of AI in Brazil.

On the one hand, we have a population that is receptive to technology, promising government initiatives such as the CAPES call for proposals, and an increasingly mature startup ecosystem. On the other hand, we face significant challenges in terms of talent development, computing infrastructure, and geopolitical tensions.

My view is that Brazil has the potential to become a leader in specific AI niches – especially in areas such as agritech, edtech, govtech and solutions for social inclusion – as long as we can articulate public and private efforts in a more coherent and strategic way.

What worries me, however, is the speed of this evolution. The news of the last 24 hours shows a technological landscape that moves at a fast pace, while our educational, regulatory and development structures operate at much slower cycles.

We urgently need to accelerate our response capacity as a country, creating more agile mechanisms for adaptation and collective learning.

Conclusion: Navigating the AI Revolution in Brazil

The news of the last 24 hours in the field of AI reflects a scenario of rapid transformation, with extraordinary opportunities and significant challenges for Brazil.

As an entrepreneur who has been following the innovation ecosystem for more than two decades, I can say with conviction: we are living in a defining moment for the country's technological future.

The choices we make now – as entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers and citizens – will determine whether we will be protagonists or mere consumers of the AI revolution.

In my mentoring work with startups and companies undergoing digital transformation, I have helped leaders identify concrete opportunities in this scenario and develop strategies that combine technological vision with human purpose.

I firmly believe that AI will only fulfill its true potential when it is developed and applied with a focus on solving real problems, reducing inequalities, and expanding human potential – not just generating profits or replacing jobs.

Today’s news – from researchers barred from the CAPES call for proposals, from virtual avatars to the evolution of “reasoning” models – are pieces of a larger puzzle that we are all building. And it is up to us, as an innovation community, to ensure that this puzzle forms a picture of inclusive and sustainable progress.