‘Don’t let fear prevent you from working on the problems that matter most’: Five minutes with Rafael Carvalho de Fassio, São Paulo state attorney for science, technology and innovation
In this series of ‘Five minutes with’ interviews, we share insights from the city and local government leaders who will speak at our Global AI Cities conference, taking place in Manchester, UK, on 16 and 17 June. At the event, leaders from around the world will share insights on how to unlock people-first AI transformation.
Rafael Carvalho de Fassio, state attorney and lead counsel, science, technology and innovation at the Government of the State of São Paulo, Brazil, will speak at Global AI Cities in the session ‘Boosting citizen, and officer, trust in AI to scale what works’.
In this interview, he tells GGF about putting transparency, oversight and accountability at the centre of government action; his work on a toolkit that helps public officials navigate innovation partnerships more confidently; and the prospect of ‘agentic’ states.
What are you most interested in discussing at Global AI Cities 2026?
I believe that trust has become one of the most important words in technology regulation today. Governments are increasingly using artificial intelligence in their activities, but there are still important gaps around explainability, auditability and transparency in the use of algorithmic systems. These gaps can undermine public trust, especially when AI is used in sensitive areas that directly affect citizens’ rights and access to public services.
For this reason, I am particularly interested in discussing how we can bring together experiences from the Global South and the Global North to build more trustworthy, accountable and citizen-centred approaches to AI in government. A conference such as Global AI Cities 2026 offers a valuable opportunity to exchange good practices, share recommendations and collectively co-create solutions to overcome these bottlenecks.
Find out more about the Global AI Cities conference and register to attend here
What drew you to a career in government?
I studied law because I wanted to contribute to public impact and help improve people’s lives through institutions. Working in government became the path through which I could pursue that goal at scale, especially in the fields of innovation, intellectual property and technology regulation.
Over time, I realised that these areas allow public servants to work on some of the most pressing challenges faced by society, including health, education, public safety and digital transformation. They also require us to operate in fields of high public scrutiny, where innovation must always be balanced with the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights.
What have you achieved in your career that you’re most proud of?
One of the achievements I am most proud of is the creation and development of the Toolkit for Brazil’s Legal Framework for Science, Technology and Innovation. Before that, I had the opportunity to work as a consultant to the Inter-American Development Bank on innovation procurement, and as a fellow at the World Economic Forum on the procurement of artificial intelligence solutions by governments.
The Toolkit brings together practical tools, model documents, guidance and training materials to help public officials think outside the box and use the legal instruments available for innovation more confidently. It was designed to reduce risk aversion and legal uncertainty, which are often among the main barriers preventing governments from adopting new technologies and innovative approaches. We have also built an Observatory that gathers data and evidence from innovation procurement cases in Brazil, something previously unheard of in LATAM countries.
Today, the project has been recognised nationally and internationally and has become a practical reference for public institutions in Brazil. For me, it represents one of the most meaningful contributions of my career because it translates complex legal frameworks into tools that public servants can actually use.
How might local government and city authorities be different in 25 years’ time?
In 25 years’ time, I believe local governments and city authorities may become much more proactive and less reactive. The development of AI agents and the idea of a more ‘agentic’ state point towards a future in which governments are able to anticipate needs, identify risks earlier and deliver public services in a more personalised and timely way. This does not mean replacing human judgment or democratic accountability. On the contrary, the challenge will be to use AI to support better decisions, improve public service delivery and strengthen citizens’ rights, while keeping transparency, oversight and accountability at the centre of government action. The state will have to transform itself completely until then!
What advice would you give someone starting out in the public sector?
My main advice would be not to be afraid of making a difference. Fear is common in the public sector because decisions can have significant legal, political and social consequences. But precisely because government has such a broad impact, public servants also have a unique opportunity to create positive change at scale. Working in government means dealing with complexity, uncertainty and responsibility. But it also means having the chance to protect citizens, improve public services and help institutions adapt to new challenges. For someone starting out, I would say: do not let fear prevent you from working on the problems that matter most.
Which organisation are you most inspired by and why?
I draw a great deal of inspiration from public-purpose innovation organisations that have been able to mobilise knowledge, evidence and partnerships at scale. NESTA, in the United Kingdom, has been a major source of inspiration for us in the State of São Paulo because of its ability to organise knowledge, build communities of practice and translate innovation into practical tools for public policy.
I am also deeply inspired by the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft in Germany, particularly because of its capacity to bring together public and private actors around science, technology and applied research. In the field of innovation, this ability to connect institutions, knowledge and real-world challenges is extremely valuable for governments seeking to design better policies and deliver concrete impact.
What project or innovation at the State of São Paulo do you think would be most valuable to your peers in similar organisations?
One project that may be valuable to peers in similar organisations is the Toolkit for Brazil’s Legal Framework for Science, Technology and Innovation, developed within the Office of the Attorney General of the State of São Paulo. As said above, the Toolkit combines features of a community of practice, a capacity-building platform and a repository of practical legal tools. It includes model documents, contract templates, guidance materials and training resources designed to help public officials navigate innovation partnerships and innovation procurement more confidently.
In Brazil, it has been widely used by public institutions and has helped streamline innovation by reducing legal uncertainty and risk aversion. I believe similar instruments could be useful in other jurisdictions as well, especially for public organisations trying to make innovation more accessible, legally secure and easier to implement in practice.
What attributes do you most value in people?
I deeply value honesty, sincerity and transparency. For me, these attributes are essential both in public life and in private life. In government, in particular, transparency is not only a personal virtue, but also a public responsibility. It is what allows people to build trust, work collaboratively and make decisions that can be properly understood and scrutinised by others.
Can you tell us about one of your hobbies?
Music has always been very important to me. At one point, I even started higher education studies in music, although I unfortunately did not complete them. Even today, I enjoy sitting at the piano and studying harmony and composition. These are interests that remain very present in my life and offer a different kind of discipline and creativity from my work in law and public policy.
What is your favourite thing to do at weekends?
I never miss my Sunday long run. Running has become one of my greatest passions outside work, and the long run is probably my favourite moment of the week. It is a time when I can disconnect, organise my thoughts and recover energy. In a way, it has become both a physical routine and a mental reset.
Read more: New Global Government Forum event to explore AI use in cities around the world
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