A brain-computer interface research setup showing an EEG headset connected to a computer. Photo Credit: Ricardo Stuckert

NNA News - Brazil is moving to strengthen its technological independence through new investments in artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and domestic data infrastructure as President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government seeks to reduce reliance on foreign technology. Report Compiled by Brasil 247.

The measures were announced Thursday at the Augusto Severo Science and Technology Park in Macaíba, Rio Grande do Norte, where the government launched initiatives under Brazil's Artificial Intelligence Plan. A central component is the planned PAX RN supercomputer, which will support artificial intelligence, computational modelling and scientific and industrial applications. The government plans to launch a public tender worth 1 billion Brazilian reais (about 190 million U.S. dollars) to acquire the system. The investment is intended to expand Brazil's domestic computing capacity and support the development of technologies and research within the country.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Luciana Santos said technological autonomy was becoming increasingly important for developing countries. “We also need greater technological autonomy in the Global South,” Luciana said. The government is also developing a Brazilian Cloud, designed to expand national control over the storage and management of public-sector data. The project is being developed through cooperation between the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services, the Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development and Serpro, Brazil's federal data-processing company.

Management and Innovation in Public Services Minister Esther Dweck said much of Brazil's data had historically been hosted outside the country, particularly in the United States. The new infrastructure is intended to increase the role of public institutions in managing and safeguarding government information. The Brazilian Cloud will build on existing government infrastructure while introducing expanded capabilities based on national technology. Its design is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The initiatives form part of Brazil's broader AI strategy, which was formulated in 2024 around three key areas: computing capacity, development of domestic AI models and secure data management. The government is also pursuing partnerships to develop large language models in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish as part of a wider pan-American project. One of the initiatives involves training models using infrastructure provided by Huawei. At the same time, Brazil plans to explore open technology architectures, including RISC-V processors, as part of an effort to diversify its technology supply chain.

The government is also establishing a National Center for Algorithmic Transparency and Trustworthy AI in cooperation with the Federal University of Minas Gerais. The centre will focus on developing guidelines for responsible artificial intelligence and strengthening public oversight of emerging technologies. The measures come amid growing global competition over artificial intelligence infrastructure, computing power and control of data.

Chief of Staff Minister Miriam Belchior said technological development would increasingly shape economic power, arguing that Brazil faced a choice between remaining dependent on external technological systems and building greater domestic capacity. “With AI, we are at a crossroads between following an extractive logic or the path of sovereignty, with partners, but with the direction being defined by the Brazilian people,” Belchior said.

The government said Brazil would remain open to international partnerships and competing technology providers rather than pursuing technological development in isolation. Funding for the projects will come from Brazil's National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development, with the government also seeking potential private-sector investment.