This column was written for the #scienceinelections campaign, which celebrates Science Month. In July, columnists reflect on the role of science in the reconstruction of Brazil. The writer is Glauco Arbix, professor of sociology at USP and former president of Ipea and Finep.
The pandemic accentuated latent trends in our daily lives, leveraged by inflation, war, unemployment and the downturn in the economy. But there is no way to camouflage the responsibility of the federal government for the hardships of society and the aggression against Brazilian education and science.
His erratic performance cornered scientists, emptied funding agencies, undermined universities, cut funds. Against the current of the world, in addition to delaying the path towards a sustainable society, Brazil has become increasingly distant from the most technologically advanced countries. Either we strive to tune in to new technologies or we will be marked by irrelevance.
The current dynamics of new digital technologies, especially artificial intelligence, is so powerful that it changes the metabolism of the manufacturing, services, agriculture and commerce industries. But its diffusion is unequally absorbed, either by countries or by people.
The demand for the most qualified in the labor market increases inequalities; companies and scientific research lose dynamism and infrastructure and the economy age rapidly. The poor quality of the education system is further exacerbated by the increasing number of people left behind.
Disruptive technological cycles mark developing countries with asymmetric delays. They promote changes in infrastructure and consumption patterns, but fail to drive changes in the structures of the economy, which would require an articulated effort between the public and private sector, companies, universities and the government. The world has changed and interdependence is the rule.
Science, we know, does not respect borders. Where to go?
First of all, it is necessary to stop the current regression of the ST&I system. Second, it is important to recognize that new technologies are based on valuing human capital: there is no way to absorb, adapt and develop technologies without qualified people.
Third, innovative technologies open up immense possibilities, but require environments conducive to their absorption and development, the opposite of the current toxic environment. Fourth, it is critical to defend our forests and the entire population, races and ethnicities that live on them and help maintain them. Respect for the environment must be an integral part of the development effort.
There is no magic, of course. But the level reached by CT&I allows Brazil to contribute even more to raising people’s life expectancy and recovering its position at the forefront in the fight against the effects of climate change, for biodiversity and for clean sources of energy, for the production of food and land use, essential to reduce poverty, inequality and job creation.
If it is true that Brazil is not doomed to failure, it is more than certain that it is necessary to change course. Brazilian science has already shown that it is able to renew its commitment to society and is willing to articulate with all those who seek a prominent place for the country.
