On 7 June 2024, the Brazilian Embassy in Berlin hosted the 4th Brazilian Diaspora Meeting of Science and Innovation in Germany. The event was organised in collaboration with the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), FGV Europe and Rede Apoena. Brazilian researchers and scientists gathered to discuss the latest advances and collaborations in science and technology.
Nathalia Sautchuk Patricio represented the Institute for Intelligent Interaction and Immersive Experience (IIIX) at the meeting. She took part in the panel discussion on ‘Research on Different Applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI)’. The discussion covered the use of AI in various scenarios, including decolonial AI, AI in healthcare, AI in education and AI in robotics. During the panel, Nathalia Sautchuk Patricio presented the MERLOT project, which demonstrates an innovative and practical application of artificial intelligence in education.
The MERLOT project is part of the European GAIA-X initiative. It aims to create an educational data space for advanced AI educational services that link standardised student data with educational and career opportunities. Key components include a secure and standardised data space for efficient data sharing, a marketplace for educational tools and programmes, and AI services that provide advice and career planning via advanced conversational interfaces. As part of the MERLOT project, IIIX developed the Occupation Path Recommendation Assistant (OPRA). OPRA is designed to provide personalised career and educational guidance that uses AI to offer students tailored recommendations and support throughout their educational and career paths.
The event kicked off with welcoming remarks from Roberto Jaguaribe, the Brazilian Ambassador to Berlin, and Oswaldo Moraes, Secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI). Their opening words set the tone for a day filled with insightful discussions and networking opportunities.
Among the event highlights were the exciting science pitches, which showcased innovative research projects. Another highlight was the presentation of the Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Strategy by the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), which outlined plans for the integration of AI to promote innovation and economic growth. In addition, the Brazilian research funding agency CNPq presented the Programa Conhecimento Brasil (Programme Knowledge Brazil), which aims to promote collaborative projects between Brazilian researchers in Brazil and abroad.
The Brazilian Diaspora Meeting of Science and Innovation successfully highlighted the joint efforts and achievements of Brazilian scientists in Germany, creating a sense of community and a common goal in promoting science and technology. The event also provided a platform for important debates on the role of artificial intelligence, highlighting its impact and potential in various fields and further strengthening the collective commitment to innovation and progress.