AI Extractivism and Indigenous Territories | José Renato

Summary

José Renato, a PhD candidate at the Sustainable AI Lab, University of Bonn, introduces his research exploring how digital technologies affect Indigenous territories in Brazil. Drawing on his experience co-founding Lapin, a public policy nonprofit, he investigates the environmental footprint of the tech industry — including illegal mining that supplies minerals to large AI developers — and the role of companies like Starlink in data collection. Framed through Indigenous epistemologies and Latin American colonial and dependency studies, his work aims to inform concrete regulatory recommendations to protect Indigenous livelihoods and challenge emerging forms of data colonialism.

Takeaways

• 👋 José Renato introduces himself as a PhD candidate from Brazil currently working at the Sustainable AI Lab at the University of Bonn.
• 🇧🇷 He co-founded and served as director of Lapin, the Laboratory of Public Policy and Internet, a nonprofit organization in Brazil.
• 🎓 His PhD research focuses on the impact of digital technologies in indigenous territories in Brazil.
• 🌱 José examines how the environmental footprint of digital industries affects indigenous regions and communities.
• ⚖️ He explores how regulation should address the environmental and social consequences of digital technologies.
• 💎 His work investigates the link between illegal mining in indigenous territories and the supply of minerals like gold and cerate to major AI developers.
• 🛰️ He also studies the presence of companies like Starlink in the Amazon and their capacity to collect data from the forest and indigenous peoples.
• 🌍 The research highlights concerns about data colonialism and the exploitation of the Amazon’s natural and informational resources.
• 📚 His analytical approach is grounded in indigenous epistemologies and informed by Latin American colonial and dependency studies.
• 💡 The goal of his research is to produce concrete policy recommendations for lawmakers and regulators on how to better address these complex issues.
• 👍 He invites viewers to like the video and subscribe to the channel for more content on related topics.

Q & A

What is the main focus of José Renato's research as a PhD candidate?

José Renato's research focuses on the impacts of digital technologies in indigenous territories in Brazil, particularly in relation to the environmental footprint of the tech industry and how regulations should address these challenges.

What specific environmental issues is José Renato investigating in indigenous territories in Brazil?

José Renato is investigating the involvement of companies in illegal mining in indigenous territories, which supply minerals like gold and cerate to big AI developers, and the resulting impacts on the livelihoods of indigenous peoples.

What role does Starlink play in José Renato's research?

José Renato is interested in exploring the presence of companies like Starlink in indigenous territories and their capacity to collect data from the forest and indigenous groups, which raises concerns about data colonialism.

How does José Renato approach his research in terms of indigenous perspectives?

José Renato incorporates indigenous epistemologies from Brazil into his research and examines their intersections with Latin American colonial and dependency studies.

What is the broader concern regarding the exploration of Amazonian resources in the context of José Renato's research?

José Renato's research raises concerns about the potential deepening of data colonialism and the exploitation of the Amazon's so-called resources, particularly in relation to technological companies collecting and using data from indigenous territories.

What is the ultimate goal of José Renato's research?

The ultimate goal of José Renato's research is to provide specific recommendations to lawmakers and regulators on how to address the environmental and socio-cultural issues raised by digital technologies in indigenous territories.

What is José Renato’s background before becoming a PhD candidate?

Before becoming a PhD candidate, José Renato worked as a director of the nonprofit organization Lapin, the Laboratory of Public Policy and Internet, which he co-founded in Brazil.

What does José Renato hope to achieve by the end of his research?

By the end of his research, José Renato hopes to bring concrete recommendations to policymakers on how to regulate the environmental and socio-cultural impacts of digital technologies in indigenous territories.

Why is José Renato focusing on the intersection of indigenous knowledge and Latin American colonial studies?

José Renato is focusing on the intersection of indigenous knowledge and Latin American colonial studies to better understand the complex historical and contemporary power dynamics that influence the exploitation of indigenous lands and resources in the Amazon.

How can viewers engage with the content of the video?

Viewers can engage with the content by liking the video and subscribing to the channel to receive notifications about future videos related to José Renato's research.