Lisbon Forum 2026: Tackling AI Threats & New World Order
High-ranking officials from Brazil and Portugal will converge on the University of Lisbon School of Law next week for the 14th edition of the Lisbon Forum. Running from Monday to Wednesday, the summit will tackle the complex intersection of global politics, economic shifts, and the rapid evolution of technology.
Addressing Global Challenges
Organized by Brazilian Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Gilmar Mendes, this year’s forum is themed “New International Order, Technology, and Sovereignty: Democratic, Economic, and Social Challenges.” The event has grown significantly since its inception, evolving from an academic collaboration between Brazilian and Portuguese jurists into a massive international platform. With over 470 speakers across 70 panels, organizers are calling this the largest Lisbon Forum to date.
“We are perhaps the greatest source of pride for the Portuguese,” Mendes said in an interview with Lusa, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural and economic ties between the two nations. “Brazil today, in some way, also deeply participates in Portuguese economic life.”
The Artificial Intelligence Threat
One of the most pressing topics on the agenda is the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on democracy, particularly as Brazil moves through a highly polarized election cycle. Justice Mendes warned of the “deleterious” effects AI can have on the political process, citing concerns over deepfakes and fabricated statements used to smear candidates.
“In past national elections, we already saw the use and abuse of tools in the digital media field,” Mendes observed. He noted that the Superior Electoral Court—Brazil’s regulatory body for elections—is currently working to set strict boundaries for AI-generated advertisements. Despite the risks, he assured that the judicial system “is ready to act almost immediately.”
A High-Profile Guest List
The forum features a “who’s who” of international law, finance, and politics. Key attendees include:
- Judiciary: STF Justices Alexandre de Moraes and Flávio Dino, alongside Brazilian Prosecutor General Paulo Gonet and Mozambique Constitutional Council President Lúcia da Luz Ribeiro.
- Politics & Economics: Gabriel Galípolo, President of the Central Bank of Brazil; Hugo Motta, President of the Chamber of Deputies; and Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard.
- International Voices: Thomas Friedman (The New York Times), former Colombian President Ivan Duque, former Cape Verde President Jorge Carlos Fonseca, and Dieter Grimm of the German Federal Constitutional Court.
Beyond the Law
The summit will extend beyond legal debates to include cultural and economic side events across Lisbon. Highlights include “Dialogues on Innovation and Law” at Parque dos Poetas, an “Encounters of Writers” event at the Brazilian Embassy, and a visual arts exhibition titled “Visual Routes — Between Brazil and Portugal” hosted by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation.
Image: Pexels – Bob Jenkin
