At G7, Lula defends global AI governance, super-rich taxation

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva participated in the G7 Summit, at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, on Friday, June 14, in the Puglia region, in Italy. Lula spoke at the G7 working session on artificial intelligence, energy, Africa and the Mediterranean. This is Lula's eighth G7 participation. 

“We are interested in a safe, transparent and liberating AI that respects human rights, protects personal data and promotes the integrity of information; that improves the capabilities of States to adopt public policies for the environment and contributes to the energy transition"

LUIZ INÁCIO LULA DA SILVA, President of Brazil

At the start of his remarks, President Lula pointed out that Brazil currently presides the G20 in a context of multiple new challenges, especially in the digital and climate arenas. “Driving an inclusive digital revolution and tackling climate change are the existential challenges of our time. We need to deal with this double transition with a focus on human dignity, on the health of the planet and with a sense of responsibility towards future generations,” he declared.

In the digital arena, the President drew attention to data concentration in the hands of a small number of people and companies, now even more exacerbated by artificial intelligence, the benefits of which Lula considers should be shared by everyone.

“We are interested in a safe, transparent and liberating AI—that respects human rights, protects personal data and promotes the integrity of information; that improves the capabilities of States to adopt public policies for the environment and contributes to the energy transition,” he said.

Lula highlighted the importance of AI as a development tool for the digital economies in the Global South and, above all, as a force for peace, not war. He advocated for the international and intergovernmental governance of artificial intelligence, in which all States have a seat.

INEQUALITY – Lula also spoke about Brasil’s proposal at the G20 for fair and progressive international taxation of the super-rich. “It is about time the super-rich pay their fair share in taxes. The excessive concentration of power and income poses a risk to democracy,” he argued. The president also emphasized that the support of all attendees at Friday's meeting of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, set to launch at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, will be crucial in eradicating this scourge affecting the world's poor.

Concerning Africa, Lula said that, with 1.5 billion people and an immense and rich territory, the continent has enormous potential for the future. “The creative force of your youth cannot be wasted crossing the Sahara to drown in the Mediterranean. Seeking a better life must not be a death sentence,” he underscored.

CONFLICTS – The Brazilian president also criticized the global surge in arms spending in 2023, currently at USD 2.4 trillion. He called for the peaceful resolution of ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and in Europe. “In Gaza, we see the legitimate right to self-defense turning into the right of revenge. We see the daily violation of humanitarian law victimizing thousands of innocent civilians, especially women and children. This led us to endorse South Africa’s decision to resort to the International Court of Justice,” he said. Lula reiterated that Brazil condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and stated that peace can only be achieved at a conference that is recognized by all parties, in line with Brazil and China’s proposal.

THE EVENT – The G7 Summit  brings together leaders from the seven member states, as well as the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission, from June 13 to 15. “This year’s G7 Summit discusses urgent topics such as sustainable development, the green transition, digitalization and artificial intelligence. Brazil’s mission here is based on its foreign policy principles and has peace at its core,” highlighted the Brazilian ambassador in Rome, Renato Mosca.

In addition to Brazil, Pope Francis and the following countries were invited to the G7 meeting: South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Argentina, the United Arab Emirates, India, Jordan, Mauritania (representing the African Union), Kenya and Türkiye. The following international organizations were also invited: the European Union (with observer status in the G7), the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.