en.Wedoany.com Reported - On June 30, Goiás officially launched the "Innovation and Artificial Intelligence Special Zone" project, located in the East Zone of the Federal University of Goiás, with a total investment exceeding 300 million reais. The goal is to position the state at the forefront of AI development and drive urban revitalization across a 91-hectare area. The ecosystem will attract businesses, foster new technology ventures, and cultivate highly skilled talent.

Goiás Governor Daniel Vilela stated that Goiânia ranks second nationally in AI technology innovation, with the aim of rising to first place. He believes Goiás is already a global benchmark in AI and currently has the opportunity to consolidate the state and Goiânia as an AI hub for Brazil and Latin America. The total investment exceeds 300 million reais, including 200 million reais for renovating four state government buildings in the area and constructing new ones, and 30 million reais for research, development, and innovation. Additionally, part of the 78 million reais from the new agreement for the Artificial Intelligence Excellence Center at the Federal University of Goiás (Ceia-UFG), announced last week, will also be allocated to the special zone.

Science, Technology, and Innovation Secretary José Frederico noted that the project aims to create Brazil's leading AI-focused technology hub, gathering tech companies and research centers, and serving as a milestone for the city in terms of business and planning. He stated that the special zone will attract national talent and train workers to use technology responsibly, consciously, and innovatively. The new Ceia-UFG headquarters will be located in part of the current site of the Full-Time University Preparatory Education Center on 11th Avenue, which will also be transformed into a technical school, with the new building housing AI companies. Other renovated buildings include: the existing annex of the State Administration Department (Sead), sharing a plot with Hub Goiás, which will house the first tenant companies; the former building of the State Environment and Sustainable Development Department (Semad) on 11th Avenue, which will be used for AI residences; and the Goiás Commercial Board (Juceg) building at the corner of 260th and 259th Streets, which will become the new headquarters of Goiás Tech.

The first phase of the launch is expected to create 1,406 direct jobs and attract approximately 3,273 daily visitors to public spaces. Direct intervention areas will include traffic adjustments, pedestrian prioritization, art displays, and renovations of local landmarks such as University Square and the Marieta Telles Library. The first tenant company is Semantix, a Brazilian multinational in data, analytics, and AI, operating in seven countries, listed on Nasdaq in 2022 with a market value of $1 billion, which has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government.

To ensure attractiveness to the private sector, the state government will expand technical training, integrating the project with the existing campuses of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) and the Catholic University (PUC) in the area, and offering technology residency and startup acceleration programs. At the launch, 1,500 scholarships for vocational training courses related to the special zone will be provided, along with discounts on technical courses through partnerships with the S System, and free technical course classes at the National Commercial Learning Service (Senac). PUC Goiás President Olga Ronchi believes the special zone places Goiânia on the international stage, promoting inclusion and reducing social inequality. UFG Vice President Camila Cardoso noted that the project helps retain talent in Goiás and contribute locally.

The strategy to attract technology and AI companies combines fiscal incentives and regulatory coordination. The state government will provide 30 million reais in funding to subsidize research, development, and innovation projects executed within the complex, focusing on developing high-impact solutions. New startups and local entrepreneurs will also receive support through tenders managed by Hub Goiás. The state government is in discussions with the Goiânia City Hall to establish a "Special Interest Zone" in the master plan, offering urban and economic incentives such as progressive property tax, exemption from real estate transfer tax, relaxed building facade requirements, and expanded building height limits. The area will also serve as a regulatory sandbox for testing technological solutions aimed at improving public services and resident well-being. Goiânia Mayor Sandro Mabel stated that the city government is ready to assist and attract investments to this technology hub.