Brazil Boosts AI with $444 Million, Balances US and Chinese Tech
Brazil has announced a major investment in artificial intelligence. The government will spend about 2.3 billion reais. This equals $444.2 million US dollars. The money will strengthen Brazil’s AI technology. This plan also balances its ties with both the United States and China.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s government shared the details on Thursday. More than half of the total money, 1.3 billion reais ($251 million), will fund a supercomputer. This new machine will be in Rio de Janeiro. It is a partnership with China’s Huawei Technologies and iFlytek.
This supercomputing center will help develop large language models. These models are for general use and for specific industries.
Another 1 billion reais ($193.1 million) will go to a different project. This money is for a new supercomputer. Brazil will choose a company through a bidding process. Officials expect this machine to be one of the world’s top 10 most powerful AI computers.
This second supercomputer will be in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte. This area was chosen for its energy potential. President Lula attended the announcement ceremony in the state. Government officials expect the US chipmaker Nvidia to win this contract. Science and Technology Minister Luciana Santos also believes Nvidia will be the supplier.
The government stated its strategy clearly. Brazil does not want to depend on one company, one technology, or one country. These investments aim to strengthen Brazil’s control over its own data. This supports national independence in technology.
China is a major player in AI. It is also Brazil’s largest trading partner. The United States is still the biggest source of foreign direct investment in Brazil.
The National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development will provide the money. The government expects the US-linked supercomputer to start working by late next year. The cooperation with Chinese companies will begin in July 2027.
