Utopias e Distopias da Informática na América Latina e Caribe: o que tem feito para nós e de nós?

Utopias e Distopias da Informática na América Latina e Caribe: o que tem feito para nós e de nós?

Utopias and Dystopias of Computing in Latin America and the Caribbean: what has it done for us and of us?

🎙 Scientiarum Historia 👥 510 📅 October 7, 2026 ⏱ 113 min 👁 142 📄 debate 🧭 2026-10-15
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

informaticsLatin Americaartificial intelligencedata capitalismsocial movements

Summary

A panel debate organized by the Scientiarum Historia event, bringing together sociologist Tica Moreno and computing scholar Ivan da Costa Marques to discuss the social and political impacts of informatics and artificial intelligence in Latin America and the Caribbean. The discussion opens with a critique of the supposed neutrality of technology, drawing on historical examples such as Project Cybersyn in Chile and Cuba’s early engagement with computing. Tica Moreno shares her experiences with social movements, including her time in China, where she observed alternative models of AI development linked to care and community. The panel addresses the materiality of digital infrastructure, including data centers, energy consumption, and rare earth extraction, and highlights issues like algorithmic racism and digital misogyny. The talk concludes with the presentation of IARA, an AI project developed by the MST (Landless Workers’ Movement) and allied organizations, emphasizing the need for popular education and sovereignty in technology.

150 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of this discussion lies in its contribution to a critical, decolonial perspective on technology, centering the voices of social movements and Latin American experiences. The argumentation is persuasive and coherent, combining historical evidence with contemporary case studies from Cuba, China, and Brazil. The speakers effectively challenge the myth of technological neutrality and expose the power structures embedded in digital capitalism. However, the arguments are primarily politically positioned and sometimes rely on generalizations, with limited empirical data or formal sources to support specific claims. The discussion excels in raising awareness and provoking thought rather than providing technical depth.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is moderate: the speakers are credible experts with relevant academic and activist backgrounds, but the presentation is conversational and does not systematically cite sources. References are made to well-known historical projects (e.g., Cybersyn) and contemporary phenomena (e.g., platform labor), but without formal citations or data. The title matches the content well, as the panel consistently explores both positive and negative potentials of informatics in the region. The absence of formal references and the explicit political stance may reduce its epistemological weight, though the discussion is grounded in a solid understanding of the socio-technical landscape.

211 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content: the panel critically examines the dual potential of informatics in Latin America, presenting both utopian and dystopian aspects, with concrete examples and political analysis.

Quality & Reliability

7/10

The discussion is well-structured and draws on the expertise of two academics with strong critical perspectives, but it relies heavily on ideological interpretation and anecdotal evidence rather than systematic empirical data. No formal sources are cited explicitly, but historical and contemporary examples (Cybersyn, Cuban informatics, Chinese AI) are used coherently.

Key Moments

Contribution & Novelties

The original contribution lies in bringing the perspective of Latin American social movements into the debate on informatics and AI, highlighting counter-hegemonic projects like Cuba’s and China’s approaches. The discussion reframes technology not as neutral but as embedded in political choices, and proposes alternatives rooted in popular education and territorial autonomy. It bridges the gap between academic critique and grassroots activism, offering a rare insider view of projects like IARA.

Pour aller plus loin :

112 words

Radar Profile

The radar shows a balanced profile with high information quantity and moderate technical depth, reflecting a broad and accessible debate rather than a specialized technical presentation.

Reliability 7/10