LNCC’s AI Institute Discusses Technological Sovereignty at Seminar in Rio de Janeiro

The Artificial Intelligence Institute (IIA) of the National Laboratory for Scientific Computing (LNCC) took part in the seminar “Rio as a Hub for Open and Sovereign AI”, held on October 16 and 17 in Rio de Janeiro. The event was an initiative of the Funding Authority for Studies and Projects (Finep) in partnership with the Rio de Janeiro City Hall, through the Municipal Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation (SMCTI).

Representing the IIA and its coordinator, Fábio Porto, researcher José Hugo C. Gaspar Elsas joined the roundtable “Science, Research, Education, and Ethics in AI”, moderated by Luiz Davidovich from Finep. During the discussion, Elsas presented the talk “Challenges in the Productive Use of AI in Brazilian Society”, which shared the Institute’s perspective on how to promote the beneficial and productive application of artificial intelligence in the country.

“Open questions were discussed regarding AI ethics and alignment, autonomy and technological sovereignty, as well as examples of economies with high levels of innovation and growth, which could serve as models for the city and state of Rio de Janeiro to emulate,” he highlighted.

During his presentation, José Hugo also emphasized that AI represents the final stage in a value chain that depends on robust broadband internet and cybersecurity infrastructure to be efficiently integrated into productive systems. He further warned that the concentration of foundational AI models within Global North big tech companies poses a threat to the technological sovereignty of other nations.

The event’s discussions also addressed the need to train and retain talent, the importance of valuing national research, and the role of AI as a tool for social development, reinforcing its potential to help reduce inequality.

The meeting brought together representatives from various institutions and sectors, including the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and Eletrobrás.

The full video of the seminar is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKcRk42Dsws

IIA Communication Office
instituto.ia@lncc.br