Brazil is entering a new phase of its innovation journey. With the recent approval of the country’s AI Bill by the Senate, a message is being sent—not only to the tech sector, but to all industries using or planning to use AI: the time to act with clarity, responsibility, and foresight is Now.
This isn’t just a national movement. Canada is also moving forward with its AI and Data Act, and many global markets are doing the same. We’re seeing a clear international push to align technology with human rights, transparency, and social impact.
For businesses, this brings new challenges—but also new direction. The focus now turns to how we build, apply, and monitor AI systems in real environments. It’s no longer just about what’s possible with AI, but what’s appropriate, sustainable, and trusted.
Innovation, science, and technology leaders, especially those working across borders, need to pay attention. This is about preparing teams, reshaping strategies, and understanding where AI fits in a world of growing accountability. It’s about aligning with evolving expectations from partners, governments, and society.
The questions we need to be asking now:
- Are we integrating AI in a way that reinforces trust and transparency?
- How can we lead innovation while staying aligned with new global standards?
- What kind of collaborations do we need to move forward responsibly?
This bill is a reminder that the way we innovate matters. As Canada and Brazil deepen ties in trade, research, and technology, there’s a real opportunity to build bridges between ecosystems and grow together, ethically and intelligently.
Collaboration is no longer optional—it’s the foundation for shaping a future where innovation focuses on serving people, protecting values, and opening doors for the next generation. The choices we make today will define the world our children will lead tomorrow.
RAQUEL BOECHAT
Raquel de Castro Boechat is an influential connector and strategist in Canada’s innovation and entrepreneurship landscape, bridging Latin America and Canada through cross-border leadership, applied research, and social capital development.
She is a Board Director and Co-Chair of the Innovation, Science and Technology Committee at the Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce (BCCC), where she fosters institutional collaboration and knowledge exchange between ecosystems.
As Founder and Strategic Lead at Canada StartHub, Raquel has guided over 60 international companies in their first strategic steps into Canada — helping founders build clarity, credibility, and strong positioning while navigating the local business and innovation environment.
She is also the Co-Founder of AI Learning Lab, which partners with chambers, business associations, and academic institutions to deliver practical AI literacy programs that empower non-technical professionals and SMEs to integrate artificial intelligence into their operations and strategic thinking.
Recognized in 2025 among the Top 50 Canadian Immigrants of the Year, Raquel brings a unique blend of academic rigour and entrepreneurial insight. She holds a degree in Communications (PUCRS Brazil), an MBA (FGV Brazil), executive training in Negotiation from Harvard (USA), and a specialization in Professional Communication from Toronto Metropolitan University (Canada). She is also a graduate of the Trade Accelerator Program from the World Trade Centre Toronto (Canada).
Formerly a professor at PUCRS and a guest lecturer at institutions across Brazil and abroad, Raquel has built her career on trust, relationships, and the ability to translate complex strategies into real-world outcomes.
Committed to shaping global conversations around innovation and trust, she is currently writing a book on social capital as a strategic force in international business leadership.