Interest in the possibilities of artificial intelligence (AI) is growing around the world, and Brazil is no different. People are impressed by the innovative power of generative technology, which is capable of bringing about changes in the way society works and relates. Still, there is legitimate concern about AI’s effects on information security, privacy, and the future of work. AI’s transformative potential can be compared to the changes that have occurred with the emergence of the personal computer.
For all these reasons, I am pleased to present the report AI in Brazil: Exploring Opportunities. The following pages give you an overview of everything Microsoft has done to make this huge innovation truly useful, efficient, and productive for everyone, considering economic, social, and even environmental aspects. Microsoft is fully committed to helping ensure that AI has the most effective governance possible, and that people and companies can use it responsibly. At the national level, we seek to work closely with clients and partners, which include the Brazilian government and companies from various sectors, to stimulate innovation and generate gains for society as a whole. You will have the chance to discover the details of these initiatives in the chapter “Artificial intelligence in Brazil in Action.”
Showing how Brazil and Brazilians are dealing with the first steps of this transformation is especially important this year, as 2024 sees Brazil assume the presidency of the G20 international forum. AI’s developments AI have become a leading talking point in the global conversation, and G20 will be no different. International organizations seek to draw up guidelines for behavior, conduct, and governance to determine that the benefits of AI can be realized and distributed fairly, predicting and avoiding any problems due to the technology’s misuse.
In leading such a representative group, Brazil is in a good position to strengthen its points of view and indicate paths forward.
One way to achieve this is for Brazil to point out to its G20 partners the huge potential market for developing solutions and applications with AI tools currently available to developers worldwide. The idea is to leverage the foundations laid by Microsoft and other providers to bring new ideas to life, meeting the demands and needs specific to each country or region.
Countries can make use of AI technologies to create practical applications and solve real problems – such as making health care services more efficient or making public transportation more reliable.
Many Brazilian professionals can be called upon to rise to the challenge, both in the public and private sectors, thanks to the high level of professionalism of the country’s IT teams.
After all, Brazil has experience in leading digital advances, such as the automation and cybersecurity of the banking sector, which are referenced around the world. Although they are entirely national, arising to address specific issues in our economy, these solutions that have revolutionized sectors that rely on applications and cloud infrastructures with global coverage, such as Microsoft Azure. In the era of artificial intelligence, this type of joint action between global and local solutions is likely to be even more beneficial and fruitful for the future of all nations.
Microsoft is at the forefront of AI – including here in Brazil. We have been working to build a responsible foundation on the topic since 2017, with a set of digital safety initiatives. This work connected us to a broader enterprise risk management framework, which was instrumental in building principles, processes, and governance systems that guided us towards the responsible use of AI.
However, more needs to be done. We recognize that AI is constantly evolving, and we are committed to continuously improving our processes, always alongside customers, partners, and society at large. The most important thing is that AI can assist everyone, which includes training workers, mentoring students, and taking into account the most vulnerable populations. Only then will technology be globally effective, providing fair and inclusive growth on all continents.
In Brazil’s case, from the outset, we sought to include the most different approaches and opportunities for AI in Microsoft Mais Brasil, a series of coordinated initiatives that seek to combine inclusion and economic growth. We encourage, for example, the specialization of professionals in generative technology, an essential condition to promote the digital transformation of Brazilian companies. In another line of action, we encourage the use of AI in projects to preserve the environment.
The AI revolution is just beginning. It is time to build an ethical and responsible approach, with modern and efficient public governance, so that people and companies can best leverage the opportunities of generative technology.
Read the full report here: AI in Brazil: Exploring Opportunities