In an exclusive interview with News18 during the AI summit in New Delhi, Luciana Santos, Brazil’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, stressed that countries of the Global South must develop their own artificial intelligence ecosystems instead of relying entirely on technology from advanced economies.
She warned that without local innovation and technological autonomy, developing nations risk reproducing old inequalities in the digital age.
“Developing countries cannot remain mere consumers of technology. They must build their own capabilities through technology transfer, talent development, and sovereign infrastructure,” Santos said.
She cautioned that when algorithms and digital infrastructure are controlled by a handful of countries and corporations, innovation risks turning into technological domination.
Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Santos described India as a strategic partner for Brazil in shaping a more inclusive global AI order.
She said both countries share similar development challenges and democratic values, making cooperation between them particularly important.
According to Santos, India and Brazil can jointly develop AI frameworks that reflect the needs of developing societies rather than merely adapting to rules created by advanced economies.
She highlighted ongoing cooperation between Indian and Brazilian AI research centres, including pilot projects on secure cross-border data collaboration for medical applications.
Santos said Brazil views artificial intelligence not only as a technological opportunity but also as a development tool aimed at reducing inequality.
Brazil’s national AI strategy for 2024-2028 includes major public investment to expand computing infrastructure, develop local language AI models, and train skilled professionals.
She emphasised that innovation alone will not automatically reduce inequality and that governments must actively design inclusive policies.
“Inclusion will not come automatically from innovation. It must be designed through public investment and democratic governance,” she said.
The Brazilian minister underlined the need for clear regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence.
She said proper regulation builds public trust and ultimately strengthens innovation rather than restricting it.
Brazil is currently developing a risk-based AI regulatory framework that focuses stricter requirements on high-risk technologies while allowing flexibility for low-risk innovation.
She said governance mechanisms are essential to prevent risks such as algorithmic discrimination and violations of fundamental rights.
Santos acknowledged that Brazil still relies heavily on foreign cloud infrastructure and imported semiconductors but said the country is working to strengthen its technological independence.
She explained that digital sovereignty does not mean isolation but building domestic capacity through international cooperation.
India, she said, is an important partner in areas such as:
1. Semiconductors
2. Artificial intelligence
3. High-performance computing
4. 5G and 6G technologies
5. Blockchain and Internet of Things
Brazil is also developing national public-sector data infrastructure and sovereign cloud systems to improve cybersecurity and data control.
Santos said multilateral cooperation platforms such as BRICS can help developing countries shape global AI governance.
She said BRICS countries have already adopted principles on AI governance and can work toward more coordinated policies in the future.
According to her, collaboration among governments, private sector institutions, and civil society is necessary to build a balanced global AI ecosystem.
Santos said international gatherings like the AI summit in New Delhi help create political momentum for expanding access to artificial intelligence technologies.
She described it as encouraging to see Global South countries leading discussions on emerging technologies.
However, she acknowledged that many developing countries remain heavily dependent on technology developed elsewhere.
Without long-term investment and cooperation, she warned, the technological gap between developed and developing nations could widen further.
