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Brazilian Government Demands Explanations from OpenAI about Contest Promising to Locate Archaeological Sites in the Amazon and Potentially Affect Traditional Peoples
The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples demanded explanations from OpenAI regarding an international contest aimed at identifying archaeological sites in the Amazon. The initiative, called “OpenAI to Z Challenge”, raised concerns in the Brazilian government, which fears impacts on legal norms and traditional populations. The information comes from Folha de São Paulo.
The Challenge and the Legend of City Z
The contest was launched in May, with registrations closing on June 29. The list of the five finalist teams has yet to be disclosed.
The name refers to the legend of the lost city of Z, supposedly located in Mato Grosso.
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The myth gained notoriety in the early 20th century when British explorer Percy Harrison Fawcett disappeared on an expedition to Alto Xingu, along with his son and a friend.
The disappearance will complete one hundred years in 2025, and OpenAI took the opportunity to launch the challenge, which distributes US$ 400,000 (R$ 2.4 million) in prizes.
On its official page, the company highlights that, for the first time, anyone can conduct archaeological research using satellite images, maps, and open-source indigenous stories.
According to the text, the combination of data can fill gaps in history and pave the way for new discoveries.
Focus on the Amazon
OpenAI suggested that teams focus their searches in the Amazon, covering countries such as Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, and French Guiana.
The detail is that the Brazilian government was not informed in advance. There are strict regulations for archaeological research in the country, and Brasília wants to know what legal and methodological criteria were used in the contest.
A letter signed by the secretary of articulation and promotion of indigenous rights, Giovana Mandulão, requests that the company does not disclose maps with the locations of sites until there is alignment with competent bodies.
OpenAI’s Response
To Folha, the company said that the contest was created with the support of academics and aims to stimulate “genuine research.”
It also stated that participants will only use public data and that the works will not be used to train artificial intelligence models.
OpenAI also promised dialogue with Brazilian institutions and reaffirmed that it will adhere to national legislation.
Criticism from the Scientific Community
The Brazilian Archaeology Society (SAB) reacted negatively to the initiative. In a statement, it criticized the lack of consultation with indigenous peoples, quilombolas, and traditional communities. It also stated that the reference to City Z may reinforce misinformation in the region.
The vice president of the entity, Bruna Cigaran da Rocha, said that holding a competition without the agreement of these populations is “highly unethical.”
According to her, Brazil has already established solid parameters for how archaeological heritage should be studied.
SAB also reminds that the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention guarantees indigenous peoples the right to “free, prior, and informed consultation” regarding any research in their territories.
Concerns of Iphan
The National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute (Iphan) also expressed reservations. The agency fears that the challenge may result in undesirable practical effects, such as incorrect identification of archaeological sites or unauthorized access to areas already studied by specialists.
Furthermore, the possibility of publicly disclosing sensitive data could facilitate unauthorized access to locations that require strict control.
Support with Reservations
Despite the criticisms, some researchers see value in the initiative. Archaeologist Francisco Pugliese from the University of Brasília stated to Folha that he registered for the contest with a project developed in the southwest Amazon.
For him, new technologies allow for the organization of large volumes of data and open a promising research scenario. However, Pugliese emphasizes that the participation of indigenous peoples must be guaranteed.
“If we do not take the reins of this process, it will be archaeologists who will conduct predatory science. It is our role to show that these tools should be used ethically,” he said.
Open Debate
The case exposed a growing debate: how to balance technological innovation with respect for local communities. On one hand, the challenge could accelerate discoveries and bring visibility to Amazonian archaeology.
On the other hand, it raises legal, ethical, and social questions that the Brazilian government wants to clarify before any results are disclosed.
With information from Olhar Digital.
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