Brazil launches AI supercomputer push

On August 20, 2026, Brazil's government announced investments of about 2.3 billion reais ($444.2 million) to bolster its artificial intelligence ecosystem, splitting projects between U.S. and Chinese companies. The larger portion, 1.3 billion reais, will fund a supercomputing infrastructure project in Rio de Janeiro developed in partnership with China's Huawei and IFlytek, primarily for developing large language models. The remaining 1 billion reais will be allocated through a tender for a supercomputer in Rio Grande do Norte, expected to rank among the world's top 10 AI machines, with U.S. chipmaker Nvidia anticipated to win the contract. The investments are funded by the Brazil — National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) through phased disbursements. The government also announced a semiconductor partnership with Spain based on RISC-V architecture, plans for a Brazilian cloud service, and a national center for algorithmic transparency and trustworthy AI. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva emphasized strategic autonomy and reducing dependence on single countries, as Brazil balances ties with China, its largest trading partner, and the U.S., its largest source of foreign direct investment.