Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – As Horrara Moreira, a lawyer and researcher based in Rio de Janeiro, discusses the complexities and misconceptions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), she brings a critical perspective to its widespread imagery and expectations. Speaking after Carnival season in a local coffee shop, she humorously critiques the portrayal of AI in popular media as futuristic, shiny robots and highlights the tangible infrastructural demands such as significant energy and water consumption required by data centers.
Moreira expresses concern over several issues tied to the advancement of AI technology, including the substantial control exercised by a few technology giants predominantly based in a select group of nations. This scenario, she argues, leads to delayed and often inadequate regulatory measures. She further warns of a potential “digital neocolonialism,” where dominant Northern corporations exploit the natural and human resources of Southern countries. An example she cites is the spread of misinformation that facilitates illegal mining in the Amazon, which paradoxically supports the tech companies themselves.
For Brazil and Latin America, Moreira sees a crucial role in shifting the dynamics of global AI development. She suggests leveraging alliances like the BRICS bloc to reduce dependency on American tech firms. Such a strategy, however, presents its own set of challenges, particularly when collaborating with nations where human rights and freedom of expression are not prioritized.
The threats posed by AI are not limited to global geopolitics or environmental concerns. Moreira points to the domestic use of AI in Brazil, such as the rapid expansion of facial recognition and surveillance tools. With 351 projects reportedly in progress and about 82 million Brazilians potentially under surveillance, she raises alarms about the infringement of privacy rights and the perpetuation of discrimination, noting the higher rate of misidentification among Black individuals.
Amid these challenges, Moreira chooses to highlight the enduring value of what she terms “ancestral technology” – simple, undigitizable aspects of human life like consoling a child, which she regards as essential, resilient knowledge outside the scope of capitalist enterprise.
Additionally, Moreira criticizes the Western dichotomy of science and religion. As an adherent of Umbanda, an Afro-Brazilian religion, she embraces Afrofuturism and advocates for the recognition of non-Western scientific contributions. She references cultural practices like offerings to Oxum, the orixá of fertility, which include foods high in beneficial nutrients such as folic acid, underscoring a form of science rooted in tradition and community.
In conclusion, as AI continues to transform societies globally, Moreira’s insights call for a more inclusive, critically aware, and culturally sensitive approach to technology development. Her commentary not only highlights the challenges but also articulates the potential for more equitable and diverse technological futures.
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