In April 2021, Brazil adopted its national AI strategy, "Estratégia Brasileira de Inteligência Artificial" (EBIA). The strategy sets out six key objectives, including developing ethical principles for responsible AI use, removing barriers to innovation, improving collaboration between stakeholders, developing AI skills, promoting investment, and advancing Brazilian technological innovation at the international level.
The strategy emphasises the importance of international standards for AI regulation and the protection of fundamental rights. In May 2022, the Governance Committee of the Brazilian AI Strategy published a Working Plan for 2022, outlining priority actions across nine axes, including legislation, governance, international aspects, and public security.
Brazil's General Data Protection Law (LGPD) came into effect in September 2020, providing a comprehensive framework for data protection. The law is relevant to AI applications and includes provisions for algorithmic transparency and the right to explanation for automated decisions.
A draft AI bill (No. 21/2020) is currently under consideration in the Brazilian legislature. However, the bill has faced criticism from academics and NGOs for potentially perpetuating algorithmic discrimination and undermining fundamental rights. In response, a Commission of Jurists was appointed to develop a new proposal for a Brazilian AI Act, which was submitted to the Federal Senate in December 2022.
The development of Brazil's AI strategy involved public consultations, with about 1,000 contributions collected. However, some critics have argued that the debate on the AI bill lacked sufficient public participation.
Brazil has established a national data protection authority, the Autoridade Nacional de Proteção de Dados (ANPD), to oversee the implementation of the LGPD. The ANPD's independence has been a topic of discussion, with recent legislative changes aimed at strengthening its autonomy.
The use of facial recognition technology in Brazil has raised significant concerns. A study published in March 2024 found that 67.4 million Brazilians, nearly a third of the population, are potentially under surveillance by facial recognition cameras. The technology is being used in public spaces, transportation systems, and for public security purposes.
Several legal challenges have been mounted against the use of facial recognition in public spaces. While some court decisions have temporarily halted its use, others have allowed its deployment. Civil society organisations have launched campaigns calling for restrictions or bans on facial recognition technology.
Brazil has faced challenges with the spread of disinformation, particularly during election campaigns. Studies have pointed to the use of bots and coordinated inauthentic behaviour on social media platforms to disseminate propaganda and manipulate public opinion.
Brazil has endorsed the OECD and G20 AI Principles and is a member of the Global Partnership on AI. The country has also adopted the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI and is actively participating in regional efforts to implement ethical AI guidelines.
In November 2023, Brazil participated in the first AI Safety Summit and endorsed the Bletchley Declaration, committing to international cooperation on safe and responsible AI development.
This country report is our interpretation and summary of the "CAIDP Artificial Intelligence & Democratic Values Index 2023". The full report can be found here - https://www.caidp.org/reports/aidv-2023/