Tech Roundup, Mar. 13, 2019 | Brazil’s avant-garde AI regulation

You’re reading The Brazilian Report‘s weekly tech roundup, a digest of the most important news on technology and innovation in Brazil. This week’s topics: Brazil to regulate AI, tech companies react to tax reform and the downfall of scooter’s market.  

Brazil’s Congress to step in in AI regulation debate

The Brazilian lower house is debating a new legal framework to regulate artificial intelligence. The proposal comes after the Science and Technology Ministry began work on a national AI strategy spanning legislation, research and development, public security, and impacts on the workforce.

The new framework will establish principles, rights, duties, and governance tools to be observed by governments, companies, and people while using AI in Brazil. 

What are the main points? It says the use of AI’ must respect human rights and democratic values, equality, non-discrimination, plurality, free initiative and data privacy — a crucial point, as Brazil gets ready to implement its data privacy law (LGPD) in August. Based on these pillars, it establishes that: 

• AI use and operation in Brazil must be transparent;
• AI agents: the text defines two legal figures, AI development agents and AI operation agents. They will be legally responsible for the decisions an AI system makes and also for keeping it compliant with the LGPD;
• IA impacts report: a document created by the agents to describe the technology, including its management and risk mitigation. The government may request the report to be published, as well as suggesting better standards and tech improvements.

Why it matters. AI regulation has become an international matter as countries work to foster this...