Minister Announces Development of Eight Artificial Intelligence Labs in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – According to Minister Pontes, the laboratories will manage, develop and operate as a network. Four of them will be linked to policies aimed at the so-called Internet of Things, which will connect everyday objects to the Internet.

“I would like to give you some good news. We are developing eight artificial intelligence laboratories. Since we came to power, it has been one of our priorities to enhance the country’s artificial intelligence ability,” the minister said during the opening ceremony of the 5th Innovation Week in Brasilia.

According to Pontes, the aim is to align initiatives already in place across the country to manage, develop and operate as a network, in order to develop artificial intelligence. However, the minister did not provide deadlines for the full establishment of laboratories.

“One of these laboratories will operate on the frontiers of knowledge in artificial intelligence, with cybersecurity, together with the Brazilian Army. The other seven will focus on applied artificial intelligence.”

“Of these seven, which focus on strategic planning, four are connected to the Decree [9,854/19] on the Internet of Things, which provides for [the institution of] four chambers: cities 4.0, industry 4.0, agro 4.0 [rural] and health 4.0,” he added.

According to the minister, the four laboratories will be directly linked to the chambers, each of them with one of the four areas. “And of the remaining three, one will be linked to artificial intelligence applied to public administration,” he added.

To explain the government’s efforts, Pontes emphasized human skills that he believes are essential tools for civilization. “What has made a difference throughout history has been the ability to work as a team; the ability to reason, plan and think about the future; and our ability to develop tools to solve problems and improve the quality of life,” he said.

“We have produced magnificent things, we have gone through many transformations – machines, engines, electricity, electronics, computers, planes – and we have now reached a very unique point, which is digital transformation. We have tools that help develop other tools that help us plan and work as a team,” he added.

Contacted by Agência Brasil, the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications reported that studies for the establishment of technology centers in artificial intelligence and cyber-security are still ongoing and that details such as location, area, investments and partners for these centers are not yet defined, but will be part of a notice to be published soon.

Source: Agência Brasil

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