During this time, the program’s categories, thematic areas, and topics have evolved, trying to respond to specific challenges, needs, and opportunities of the organizations across the region, and responding to the evolving nature of the Internet. Those organizations (FRIDA’s beneficiaries) come from very diverse areas, including civil society, the technical community, the private sector, governments, and academia. They are the ones closer to the needs of their communities, the ones who constantly evaluate, assess the challenges, and develop projects to improve their communities. These organizations strengthen the Internet in the region, in many cases addressing structural challenges and creating an ecosystem for innovation, sustainability, and well-being across their societies.
In 2024, InteliGente was the 50th recipient of the FRIDA Award, showing not only the qualities mentioned above, but also a sustained and lasting impact in its community, the university, its region, and beyond. Additionally, the project is also introducing a novel approach to the use of Artificial Intelligence in the region, applying it for a social purpose, with an ethical and education-centered perspective. The Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR, Brazil) is currently developing the project and has created relevant partnerships, involved several communities beyond the academic sector, and developed methodologies for its adaptation and implementation in other contexts. InteliGente, represents an example of a successful, ongoing project with a proven impact. As such, its recognition by FRIDA in 2024, also reflects the Program’s commitment to create, foster, and enable an ecosystem for supporting the Internet’s development. The following shows the relevance of the work achieved by this project.
InteliGente: a success story in the use of AI for equity
Launched in 2021, the InteliGente initiative is dedicated to promoting equity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development by educating and empowering individuals to create social solutions for underserved communities, particularly in the Global South. Currently, the project is being conducted at the Federal University of Technology – Paraná (UTFPR, Brazil), an institution with a proven track record in transformative education and sustainable development.
With over 35,000 students, UTFPR plays a crucial role in advancing technological innovation and digital inclusion in Brazil. In 2024, InteliGente was awarded in the Open and Free Internet category by the Regional Fund for Digital Innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean (FRIDA), recognizing its significant contribution to digital inclusion and innovation in the region.
AI for All: A Promise or an Illusion?
AI has the potential to transform our society, impacting various sectors, including healthcare, education, the environment, and agriculture. Nevertheless, AI development has been concentrated in technologically advanced countries, overlooking the unique needs faced by less developed regions, such as Latin America—a concern emphasized by several organizations, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Economic Forum.
As a result, the rapid advancement of AI could worsen inequality and the social divide between the South and Global North, making the term “AI for All” a fragile promise, as we face numerous challenges that are often underestimated by wealthier economies.
To address this, we founded the InteliGente initiative, which empowers students to identify challenges within their communities that can be addressed using AI. Rather than just providing theoretical and practical concepts, we guide students in developing solutions that are adapted to their specific context. Moreover, our goal is to ensure that anyone, regardless of their background, can harness the power of AI to drive social impact.
InteliGente Initiative — A More Equitable Future Through Education
We believe that our innovation lies in the integration of active learning methodologies with a focus on AI, using a problem-based learning approach, where students are challenged to develop AI solutions for real problems. Unlike traditional materials, our approach emphasizes ethical and social discussions about AI. A great example is InteliGenteCards, which are designed to be both educational and engaging, encouraging participants to critically explore and discuss the societal implications of AI.
In this way, we want to amplify the voices of different communities, promoting greater representation. To date, we have educated hundreds of people and taken student-developed projects to the global stage, earning awards for Latin America that had never been won before. As a result, we are giving a voice to communities in our regions.
We’re also targeting educators: for example, in 2024, we surveyed hundreds of primary and secondary school teachers in Brazil to understand the challenges they face when integrating AI into their classrooms. This type of research helps us develop solutions aligned with educators’ needs, ensuring that AI is not just another technological trend, but a practical and accessible tool that respects the realities of each school and community.
Moving beyond impact: empowering communities
We have reached over 300,000 people directly and indirectly. This direct impact is calculated based on empowered students, access to solutions and materials, and events, while the indirect impact considers the audience reached through awards and media features. Our students have won more than 20 awards and recognitions. Additionally, our students have been featured in over 50 news articles, and our project has generated over 400,000 impressions on social media.
For the future, we are planning to create innovative materials suitable for primary and secondary education, as well as developing courses to equip educators with an understanding of AI’s ethical and social dimensions. Additionally, we intend to conduct a comprehensive study to identify and address the specific AI-related challenges faced by underserved communities in Latin America. To achieve these ambitious goals, we are actively seeking partnerships and additional funding opportunities.
Additional information:
Bios: Robson Parmezan Bonidia is an AI researcher, educator, and social innovator dedicated to democratizing Artificial Intelligence for the Global South. With over 28 awards and recognitions, his projects—such as InteliGente and BioAutoML—have impacted thousands of people. His work has been featured in major media outlets and endorsed by institutions like Google, AI4PEP, and FRIDA. A firm believer in AI for social good, Robson empowers educators, students, and scientists to harness AI ethically and responsibly.
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[1]This article was supported by AI tools to refine the text and ensure clarity. Nevertheless, all ideas, decisions, and final revisions were made by people, preserving the article’s essence.
