Anderson Soares named Brazil's most influential AI figure

Professor Anderson Soares of the Federal University of Goiás (UFG) has been identified as the most influential figure in Brazil's artificial intelligence sector. This finding comes from the Pulso 2026/2027 study, conducted by Deck and Nexus, companies under FSB Holding, which analyzed over 2,000 profiles across 21 economic sectors.

Soares, the founder of the Center of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (CEIA) and creator of UFG's AI bachelor's degree, achieved top scores in affinity, influence, and reputation. In the study, he placed ahead of other notable figures, including Microsoft executive Tania Cosentino and researcher Nina da Hora.

The study emphasizes that influence is increasingly measured by technical authority and the ability to shape discussions rather than social media follower counts. Soares attributed the recognition to the growing AI ecosystem in the state of Goiás, which integrates universities, researchers, the public sector, and private companies.