BMDV officials visit Brazil to deepen digital policy cooperation

During their visit, the delegation engaged with multiple stakeholders, including Brazil's government and private sector, and these interactions provided key insights into the country's digital progress, enabling a fruitful sharing of knowledge and best practices. The delegation attended events in Rio de Janeiro- RJ, Brasília- DF and São José dos Campos- SP.

Web Summit

On 28 April, the delegation attended Web Summit Rio, participating in the panel “AI and the Digital Economy: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility”, in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). As AI becomes increasingly integral to economies worldwide, both countries are advancing regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible development while balancing privacy, security, and growth. This partnership has already led to tangible outcomes, such as Brazil’s launch of the International Data Spaces Association (IDSA) Hub in 2024, supported by the Brazilian Iot Association (ABINC), and the Open Industry Brazil program, which adapts European data space models to strengthen Brazil’s digital economy. The panel reinforced that AI’s success depends on high-quality, ethically governed data, showcasing a shared commitment to balancing innovation and regulation.

Lunch with Parliamentarians

Continuing the visit in Brasilia. During a lunch discussion with Brazilian parliamentarians, German, EU, and Dutch representatives highlighted their experiences implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA) and AI Act, offering key lessons for Brazil’s ongoing digital regulation debates. The DSA enforces platform transparency and risk management, while the AI Act ensures ethical AI development.

Attendees included State Secretary Stefan Schnorr, EU Ambassador Marian Schuegraf, Brazilian lawmakers. The dialogue reinforced how European frameworks can guide Brazil’s approach to balancing innovation, accountability, and user protection in the digital economy.

Open Industry

On April 30, São José dos Campos hosted the launch of “Open Industry Brasil,” a new initiative pushing AI and smart manufacturing forward in Brazil. Led by ABINC, ABDI, and CNI, the program focuses on building data spaces—digital environments where companies can safely share and use data based on global standards. Though still new in Brazil, the concept will be tested through practical projects in sustainability and industry.

The launch event highlighted support from the EU and Germany, continuing a growing digital partnership. Key players include the IDSA Brazil Hub, Fraunhofer IPK, VDMA, CNI, and ABDI. The goal: bring together industry, academia, and government to drive innovation through data.