Senate approves regulatory framework for artificial intelligence in Brazil
The Federal Senate approved this Wednesday (12), by 62 votes to 8, the bill that creates the Legal Framework for Artificial Intelligence in Brazil. The proposal, which had been under consideration for more than two years, establishes guidelines for the development, implementation, and ethical use of AI systems in the country, ranging from virtual assistants to decision-making algorithms in sectors such as health, finance, and justice.
Main points of the text
- Impact assessment: systems considered high-risk (such as those used in personnel selection, credit granting, and medical diagnosis) must undergo mandatory prior assessment.
- Transparency: companies will be required to clearly inform when a user is interacting with an AI, and not with a human.
- Civil liability: in case of damages caused by autonomous systems, liability will fall on the provider, unless the user's exclusive fault is proven.
- Promotion of innovation: the text creates tax incentives for startups and research centers that develop AI within ethical principles.
Reactions
The President of the Senate, Carlos Santos (PSD-SP), celebrated the approval: "We are giving Brazil a modern law that balances innovation and protection of fundamental rights." Consumer protection organizations, however, criticized the absence of stricter oversight mechanisms. The bill now goes to the President of the Republic for sanction, who has 15 business days to decide.
International context
The initiative places Brazil alongside countries such as the European Union and Canada, which already have specific AI regulations. Experts point out that the law can attract foreign investments by providing legal certainty for technology companies.