In a private conversation hosted by the Brazil Program, Francisco Gaetani, Brazil’s secretary for government transformation, joined representatives of government, industry, civil society, and international organizations to discuss Brazil’s digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and the country’s place in the global digital economy. Participants included Bruna Santos, director of the Brazil Program; Maria Luiza Viotti, Brazil’s ambassador to the United States; Paula Acosta Márquez, head of the state institutional capacity division at the Inter-American Development Bank, and Husani Durans de Jesus, director for the Americas at the Information Technology Industry Council.

The discussion examined how Brazil can build on its existing digital capabilities and comparative advantages, including a large domestic market, abundant renewable energy, critical mineral resources, a growing technology sector, and sophisticated digital public infrastructure. Participants pointed to Brazil’s record in digital government services and financial technology as evidence that the country already possesses significant capabilities on which the next phase of its digital transformation can build.

Participants were equally clear, however, about the gap between possessing these assets and translating them into greater competitiveness and economic growth. Closing that gap, they argued, will require stronger state capacity, reliable connectivity, sustained investment in digital infrastructure, enhanced cybersecurity, and a more predictable regulatory environment.

The conversation also explored what technological sovereignty means in an interdependent world and examined the role of cooperation among government, the private sector, and multilateral institutions. Participants emphasized that Brazil already has many of the foundations needed to play a larger role in the global digital economy. Realizing that potential, however, will depend on the country’s ability to connect these strengths through long-term investment, effective institutions, clear and predictable rules, and sustained international cooperation.

This event was by invitation only.