The federal government announced the final version of the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA), with projected investments of up to R$ 23 billion by 2028. Coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MCTI), the initiative aims to consolidate the country as a leader in the sector, covering areas such as infrastructure, training, governance, and regulatory support. Among the planned goals is the acquisition of one of the five most powerful supercomputers in the world, which could significantly expand national data processing capacity and advanced AI research.
The movement follows the global race for technology, but according to Lucas Mantovani, partner and co-founder of SAFIE, an expert in new business for SMEs and startups, this also exposes internal challenges. According to the expert, while China has over a decade of billion-dollar investments and integration between the public and private sectors to gain leadership in AI, Brazil still faces regulatory hurdles, excessive bureaucracy, and legal uncertainty that could reduce the effectiveness of the strategy.
In this scenario, Lucas Mantovani, highlights the importance of simplifying rules and reducing entry barriers for entrepreneurs and startups. “The success of PBIA depends less on just the volume of resources and more on creating an environment favorable to innovation. PBIA is a positive signal, defines axes, allocates resources, and organizes stakeholders. But the reality is that if entrepreneurs remain trapped in the regulatory ‘Brazil cost,’ with multiple licenses, overlapping agencies, and legal uncertainty, innovation will not scale,” he says.
The lawyer points out that deregulation must go hand in hand with investments. “Simplifying processes is as strategic as injecting capital. This is what attracts investors, retains talent, and ensures new products reach the market competitively,” adds Mantovani.
