In an international context marked by intensifying geopolitical disputes, the reorganization of global supply chains, and rapid technological advancement, defense and artificial intelligence have emerged as two of the main drivers reshaping state capabilities and countries' positions in the international system.

In the field of defense, recent conflicts in Europe and the Middle East have brought the centrality of interstate competition back to the forefront, while the United States is redefining its expectations of allies and partners, and Sino-American rivalry is deepening across domains ranging from semiconductors to submarine cables. For Brazil, this environment raises urgent questions regarding sovereignty, the protection of critical infrastructure, strategic autonomy, and the role of the national defense industry in a world that is spending ever more on security.

In the field of artificial intelligence, the rapid advancement of strategic technologies is redefining economic competitiveness, data governance, and the regulatory capacity of states. The concentration of AI development in a small number of countries and companies is deepening global asymmetries and creating new challenges for developing economies that seek to actively participate in this transformation rather than merely absorb its outcomes.

Against this backdrop, this initiative fostered a high-level discussion of the implications of these transformations for Brazil, examining opportunities, vulnerabilities, and potential pathways to strengthen the country's international engagement and its capacity to act effectively across these sectors.