Artificial intelligence has established itself as one of the most impactful technological transformations in today’s society, influencing everything from the global economy to people’s daily lives. In a comprehensive analysis on the topic, presented at the Yalo Connect AI event that brought together leaders from Brazil’s largest industries, professor, researcher, and Uol columnist Diogo Cortiz explored the multiple dimensions of AI, highlighting its technical, geopolitical, and economic aspects, tracing the trajectory of this technology since the 1950s and drawing parallels with the history of computing, a period marked by enthusiasm for the future and disillusionment with the limitations of the time.
Within this spectrum, three main factors have accelerated AI development: increased computing power, massive data digitization, and the rise of AI-powered tools. The improvement of these tools has made processing large volumes of information more efficient, while digitization, intensified by the web and social media, has generated an immense database to fuel AI models. Artificial intelligence has transformed how technology is perceived and used.
“AI was already part of our lives through interfaces we used, recommendation systems, fraud detection systems. We were already being bombarded by artificial intelligence, but in a hidden way. What changed is that now we can notice it, if there’s data. And this brings a new dynamic to the market and society,” explained Professor Diogo Cortiz.
Currently, this intelligent technology can be used as a geopolitical strategy, as countries and economic blocs compete for leadership in developing and controlling this technology, with AI serving as a competitive advantage for national security, industrial innovation, and global influence. The United States and China (the world’s largest powers) are the main protagonists in this race, investing billions of dollars in research, infrastructure, and specialized talent. Meanwhile, the European Union seeks to balance innovation with regulatory methods, establishing some norms to ensure ethical and responsible use of AI.
Moreover, with the popularization of some tools, interaction with AI has become accessible, enabling new possibilities for use and expanding its social impact. This rapid popularization demonstrates that AI is not just a technological tool but a paradigm shift, redefining the relationship between humans and machines and paving the way for new applications across various fields.
Not only targeted by governments and institutions, the corporate sector is also heavily investing in AI to improve industry efficiency and reduce costs. Recently, Mexican company Yalo, an intelligent sales platform now also present in Brazil, announced globally that it is developing the first intelligent sales agent capable of acting as a digital worker that replicates the skills of human salespeople. This solution is already being tested in some companies, and soon a beta version will be launched with major brands in Brazil and around the world.
“Companies seek complete solutions, not just technological tools. For this reason, we are working on developing the first 100% AI-powered sales agent. The idea is to design an additional team member to fulfill specific missions and create a digital workforce that enhances and complements human teams,” mentioned Manuel Centeno, General Manager of Yalo in Brazil.
