With the accelerated evolution of Artificial Intelligence, the regulation of the use of AI has become a central and urgent topic in Brazil. The new technology brings immense potential to innovate and transform various sectors, but also raise critical questions about ethics, transparency and governance. In the Brazilian context, where digital transformation is advancing at an accelerated pace, finding the balance between innovation and appropriate regulation is essential to ensure sustainable and responsible development of AI
In an exclusive interview, Samir Karam, COO of Performa_IT, offers an in-depth analysis of the challenges and emerging solutions in AI regulation, highlighting the importance of the balance between innovation and ethics in the technology sector
The regulation of AI in Brazil is still in the structuring phase, what brings both challenges and opportunities. “On one hand, the regulation creates clearer guidelines for responsible use of technology, ensuring principles such as transparency and ethics. On the other hand, there is a risk of excessive bureaucratization, what can slow down innovation. The balance between regulation and the freedom to innovate is essential for Brazil to remain competitive in the global scenario,starts Samir Karam, COO of Performa_IT – companyfull service providerof technological solutions, reference in digital transformation and artificial intelligence
Shadow AIandDeepfakes: Risks and Solutions
One of the most troubling concepts discussed by Samir Karam is that of “shadow AI”, that refers to the use of artificial intelligence within an organization without proper control or supervision. This practice can lead to several problems, like data leakage, biased decisions and security risks
For example, imagine a marketing team using an AI tool to analyze consumer behavior without the approval of the IT department orcompliance. In addition to exposing the company to legal risks, the unregulated use of this technology can result in the improper collection and analysis of sensitive data, violating user privacy
Another scenario is the development of AI algorithms for hiring decisions, that without proper supervision can reproduce unconscious biases present in the training data, resulting in unfair and discriminatory decisions
Just like in the case of deepfakes, where videos or audios created use artificial intelligence to manipulate images, sounds and movements of a person, making it seem like saying or doing something that, in reality, it never happened. This technology can be used maliciously to spread misinformation, fraud identities and cause damage to individuals' reputations
The solutions for theshadow AIanddeepfakes they are working on creating robust AI governance policies, according to Samir Karam, COO of Performa_IT
These policies include the implementation of frequent audits, in order to ensure that AI practices are aligned with the organization's ethics and transparency guidelines. Furthermore, it is essential to use tools that detect unauthorized activities and continuously monitor AI systems to prevent abuse and ensure data security.”
Samir emphasizes that, without these measures, the uncontrolled use of AI can not only undermine consumer trust, but also expose organizations to severe legal and reputational repercussions
Fake Newsand ethical challenges in AI
The dissemination offake newsAI-generated content is another growing concern. "THEcombating AI-generated fake news requires a combination of technology and educationAutomated verification tools, identification of synthetic patterns in images and texts, in addition to the labeling of AI-generated content, they are important steps. But alsowe need to invest in public awareness, teaching to identify reliable sources and to question dubious content says Samir
Ensuring transparency and ethics in AI development is one of the pillars advocated by Samir. He emphasizes thatsome of the best practices include the adoption of explainable models (XAI – Explainable AI, independent audits, use of diverse data to avoid biases and the creation of ethics committees in AI.”
One of the main cybersecurity concerns associated with AI includes sophisticated attacks, as thephishing – a technique of attack in which criminals try to deceive individuals into revealing confidential information, such as passwords and bank details, posing as trusted entities in digital communications. These attacks can be even more sophisticated when combined with AI, creating personalized emails and messages that are hard to distinguish from real ones. To mitigate these risks, Samir suggests thatéfundamental to invest in AI-based detection solutions, implement multifactor authentication and ensure that AI models are trained to detect and mitigate manipulation attempts.”
Collaboration for Effective AI Policies
The collaboration between companies, governments and academia are vital for the formulation of effective AI policies. Samir emphasizes thatAI impacts various sectors, so the regulation needs to be built collaboratively. Companies bring the practical vision of using technology, governments establish security and privacy guidelines, while academia contributes with research and methodologies for a safer and more ethical development.”
The multifaceted nature of artificial intelligence means that its impacts and applications vary widely across different sectors, from health to education, going through finance and public safety. For this reason, the creation of effective policies requires an integrated approach that considers all these variables
Companiesare fundamental in this process, because they are the ones who implement and use AI on a large scale. They provideinsightsabout market needs, the practical challenges and the latest technological innovations. The contribution of the private sector helps ensure that AI policies are applicable and relevant in the real-world context
Governments, in turn, have the responsibility to establish guidelines that protect citizens and ensure ethics in the use of AI. They create regulations that address safety issues, privacy and human rights. Furthermore, governments can facilitate collaboration among different stakeholders and promote funding programs for AI research
Academiait is the third essential piece in this puzzle. Universities and research institutes provide a solid theoretical foundation and develop new methodologies to ensure that AI is developed safely and ethically. Academic research also plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating biases in AI algorithms, ensuring that technologies are fair and equitable
This tripartite collaboration allows AI policies to be robust and adaptable, addressing both the benefits and the risks associated with the use of technology. A practical example of this collaboration can be seen in public-private partnership programs, where technology companies work together with academic institutions and government agencies to develop AI solutions that comply with safety and privacy standards
Samir highlights that, without this collaborative approach, there is a risk of creating regulations that are disconnected from practical reality or that inhibit innovation. It is essential to find a balance between regulation and freedom to innovate, so that we can maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing the risks,”concludes
Myths of Artificial Intelligence
In the current scenario, where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in our daily lives, many myths and misunderstandings arise about its functioning and impact
To clarify, demystifying these points, and finish the interview, Samir Karam answered several questions in a ping-pong format, addressing the most common myths and providinginsights valuable insights about the reality of AI
- What are the most common myths about artificial intelligence that you encounter and how do you clarify them
One of the biggest myths is that AI is infallible and completely impartial. In reality, it reflects the data it was trained on, and if there are biases in this data, AI can reproduce them. Another common myth is that AI means complete automation, when, in fact, many applications are just decision-making assistants
- Can AI really replace all human jobs? What is the reality about this
AI will not replace all jobs, but it will transform many of them. New functions will emerge, demanding that professionals develop new skills. The most likely scenario is a collaboration between humans and AI, where technology automates repetitive tasks and humans focus on what requires creativity and critical judgment
- It is true that AI can become conscious and dominate humanity, as we see in science fiction movies
Today, there is no scientific evidence that AI can become conscious. The current models are advanced statistical tools that process data to generate answers, but without any form of cognition or intention of its own
- All artificial intelligences are dangerous or can be used for harmful purposes? What we should know about this
Like any technology, AI can be used for good or for evil. The danger is not in the AI itself, but in the use that is made of it. That's why, regulation and responsible use are so important
- There is a perception that AI is infallible. What are the real limitations of artificial intelligence
AI can make mistakes, mainly when trained with limited or biased data. Furthermore, AI models can be easily deceived by adversarial attacks, where small manipulations in the data can lead to unexpected results
- Is AI just a passing trend or is it a technology that is here to stay
AI is here to stay. Its impact is comparable to that of electricity and the internet. However, its development is in constant evolution, and we will still see many changes in the coming years
- AI systems are truly capable of making completely unbiased decisions? How prejudices can affect algorithms
No AI is completely unbiased. If the data used to train it contains bias, the results will also be biased. The ideal is for companies to adopt bias mitigation practices and conduct constant audits
- All AI applications involve surveillance and the collection of personal data? What people should know about privacy and AI
Not all AI involves surveillance, but data collection is a reality in many applications. The most important thing is that users know what data is being collected and have control over it. Transparency and compliance with legislation such as the LGPD (General Data Protection Law) and the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation – General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union is fundamental
