The Brazilian Government presented on Tuesday a US$4.07 billion proposal for an investment plan in artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at developing sustainable and society-oriented technologies.
Because it is important
Brazil, the largest economy in Latin America, wants to achieve technological autonomy and competitiveness in the AI sector, aspiring to what he called “national sovereignty” rather than relying on AI tools imported from other countries.
The proposed investment plan provides resources for “immediate impact initiatives” in sectors such as public health, agriculture, the environment, business and education.
Many of these initiatives include the development of AI systems to facilitate customer service and other operational procedures, according to a government presentation.
The numbers
The US$4,078.75 million proposed for the AI investment plan will be disbursed between 2024 and 2028, according to the Brazilian government.
Nearly US$2,479.48 million will be allocated to business innovation projects in the next four yearswhile more than US$885.53 million will be invested in infrastructure and AI developmentsaid.
The rest of the estimated resources will be distributed between training initiatives, improvements to public services and measures to support AI regulation, as well as the so-called immediate impact initiatives.
Key quotes
“Instead of waiting for AI to come from China, the United States, South Korea or Japan, why not have our own?”Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Tuesday during the presentation of the proposed investment plan.
“Our artificial intelligence has to be smart, it has to be a source of income and employment”the leftist leader added.
