Brazil should seek to benefit from China’s alliance for AI sovereignty

Brazil, along with 28 other nations, has signed the founding document of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (Waico), established this year with its headquarters in Shanghai, China. This initiative seeks to establish global AI governance through open-source models, enabling any entity to adapt the technology. In contrast to the United States' "Pax Silica," a plan led by China, Waico emphasizes open-source models and broad international collaboration.

AI experts consulted by Agência Brasil argue that Waico offers Brazil a chance to bolster its digital sovereignty. Sociologist Sérgio Amadeu da Silveira, a professor at UFABC, contends that Brazil, with its extensive university research centers, is uniquely positioned to develop AI independently. "Brazil can find a path to development that is more autonomous and more independent," he asserts, emphasizing the need for Brazil to develop its critical AI infrastructure while maintaining control over the data generated domestically.

Ettore Arpini, an AI governance expert, agrees that Brazil's strategic position between Chinese and Western initiatives makes it a crucial player in AI geopolitics. He stresses that AI should be seen not just as a sector but as a geopolitical and economic advantage. "We must understand it as a geopolitical and economic advantage, and also as a potential driver of prosperity for our people," Arpini concludes.

Brazil's government maintains that the nation must avoid dependency on any single AI model, advocating for multilateral governance of AI. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for intergovernmental AI governance, stressing the importance of shared decision-making. UN Secretary-General António Guterres highlights AI's potential as a "humanity’s greatest opportunity" while acknowledging its risks, stating that all nations should have a seat at the AI governance table.