It is impossible to think of a prosperous nation without considering technology as one of its main engines of development. As we witness the advancement of new technologies, we need to be clear about the importance of putting investment in innovation on the agenda as one of the key pillars for promoting the economic and social growth of a country.
In 2022, Brazil is undergoing another electoral process, electing leaders in the state Executives, as well as the president of the Republic, members of Congress, and legislative assemblies. In this new scenario — and regardless of who is elected — we need to work with the vision of the technology industry and the research and development ecosystem as strategic and essential for the future of the nation.
Broad support for these areas is fundamental not only for the efficient management of public and private entities but, above all, for propelling the well-being of an advanced society. The main public agents, especially at the highest levels of the Executive and Legislative branches, must prioritize the advancement of the technology and innovation agenda in the country — focusing on medium and long-term policies.
In recent years, especially during the pandemic, we have seen how fundamental technology has been in ensuring the continuity of basic activities — both in public and private sectors. The so-called digital transformation has reached unprecedented levels. For example, since 2020, technology has played an essential role in enabling the inclusion of basic financial and social services for the population. Examples of this include the granting of Emergency Aid, with the benefit paid entirely digitally; the implementation of Pix, the Central Bank’s instant payment system; and, more recently, Decree No. 10,977/2022, which stipulated the new identity card — called the National Identity Card (CIN) — being gradually implemented in all federative units.
Brazil has a history of adopting technology to automate processes and streamline services to the population — even ahead of mature countries like the United States. However, there are still many challenges that hinder the sector from advancing further. The pursuit of efficiency supported by technology, improving services to citizens, must be constant. A series of measures can still be improved.
For example, in public health, with remote scheduling of appointments and telemedicine; in urban management, with improvements in traffic engineering in large metropolises; and in interacting with the population, with less bureaucracy in public service. This is without considering public safety, which has already been undergoing changes, with increased monitoring of public spaces through cameras that use computer vision and data analysis. All this will progress with the use of technology and innovation.
Whether due to competitiveness, regulation, or investment in education and training, Brazil faces the challenge of paying even more attention to sensitive points that impact its development in this area. One of these is the inclusion and training of technology professionals. Data from the 2021 Sector Report by Brasscom indicates that the country could create a demand for nearly 800,000 IT professionals by 2025. However, there is still an annual deficit in the training of these talents of around 106,000 people, requiring a rethink on how to increase this pace of qualification.
To further advance the technology and innovation agenda, we need to build a national project focused on digital transformation opportunities for the population, creating technology jobs from anywhere with better remuneration, aiming at the digital economy. The new reality has shown us that young technology professionals no longer need to be in major urban centers to seek highly qualified positions in the sector.
The government should view this challenge as a long-term opportunity. The advancements of new technological tools as promoters of innovation, such as 5G mobile networks and cloud computing, will be fundamental to supporting a new phase of technological growth worldwide. Brazil cannot afford to miss this chance.
From 2023 onwards, future governors and legislators need to see technology as a fundamental means to accelerate the development of our country — improving the quality of life for citizens and offering opportunities in a fair, equitable, and connected manner. We are facing a new context that begins now and can bring decades of accelerated development. It is in our hands to ensure that the 2020s will not be another lost decade.
Source: Poder360