The Brazilian government has published a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy for the first time. The document sets out measures to help advance research, innovation and the development of appropriate technology to meet the country’s greatest challenges. AI ethics are also part of it.
According to the Secretary for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), Paulo Alvim, the strategy was created by putting together different and sectoral views, including taking into account international experiences.
A big step for Brazil
“The great relevance and range of effects of AI have led countless countries to develop guidelines, strategies or plans that deal with this topic. In Brazil, we have been working intensively on this topic since 2009. First we have a survey with experts At the same time, between December 2019 and March 2020, we carried out a public consultation with the company via the federal government’s electronic platform, during which we received around a thousand contributions, “said the government secretary happily.
According to its boss, the Brazilian Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation and Lieutenant Colonel of the Air Force, Marcos Pontes, is the publication “A dream come true” and a big step for Brazil as the government considers AI to be “essential” for the development of many other technologies, such as: B. looks at innovations related to the Internet of Things.
Network of AI research centers
Pontes also pointed out that the Brazilian government is also making progress on the network of national AI research centers. Without giving a specific date, the minister said that four of the eight AI centers should be completed.
The document is analyzed the current state of AI in the world and compares the global and local scenarios – according to the publication, the US invested more than $ 224 million in AI startups in 2019, while Brazil only invested one million dollars. But it also includes the note that Brazil faces significant challenges in developing its AI industry, such as: B. Skills, a high tax burden for companies and bureaucracy.
OECD standards apply in Brazil
Brazil adheres to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) human-centered AI principles, which include recommendations on areas such as transparency and explainability. Based on the OECD principles, the strategy discusses six vertical themes: skills for a digital future, workforce creation, research, development, innovation and entrepreneurship, government application of AI, application in the productive sectors and public safety. In addition, three common topics for all areas are discussed: legislation, regulation and ethical use as well as international aspects and AI governance.
The goals of the plan to advance the various themes are: to encourage continued investment in AI research and development; removing barriers to AI innovation; training professionals for the AI ecosystem; the stimulation of innovations and the development of Brazilian AI in an international environment and the establishment of collaborations between public and private organizations, industry and research centers for AI development.
Cooperation with the private sector
Within the goals, the plan outlines various strategic measures to advance AI development in Brazil. These include the need for research on ethical AI, updating the national curriculum to include elements related to computing and programming, promoting diversity in teams developing AI technologies, and creating systems of governance for the Use of AI in the public and private sectors.
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