Bernardo Bonifácio Ferreira
Guest Researcher (DAAD Grant)
Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies
September 2025–November 2025
Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Brazil
bernardo.ferreira@edu.pucrs.br
Title of current research project: "Impacts of Algorithmic Racism: Inequalities and Exclusions in the Age of Artificial Intelligence"
Academic Profile
My current research project focuses on investigating algorithmic racism as an expression of structural inequalities present in contemporary technologies, with an emphasis on computer vision systems. The project aims to demonstrate how these algorithms reproduce discriminatory patterns embedded in machine instructions, negatively impacting marginalized groups and violating human and fundamental rights. In addition, it seeks to understand how these technological practices act as social intermediaries, perpetuating privileges and exclusions, while making it difficult to denounce inequalities, reinforced by the myth of racial democracy and the perception of technological opacity. The study sheds light on how the interaction between racism and technology continues to influence contemporary inequalities and provides a basis for the construction of ethical, diverse, and inclusive artificial intelligence systems.
since 2024
Coordinator of the Research Committee, Anti-Racism Research Center, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (NPA-UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
since 2024
Coordenador do Grupo de Pesquisa Negritudes (GT-NEGRITUDES) e Núcleo de Estudos Afro-Brasileiros e Indígenas (NEABI) na Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
since 2024
Researcher in Artificial Intelligence, Rede de Inteligência Artificial Ética e Segura (RAIES), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
since 2024
Researcher in Algorithmic Racism, Digital Rights, and Artificial Intelligence, PROEX - CAPES, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
since 2024
Director, AI Robotics Ethics Society (AIRES-PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
since 2024
Master's Student in Law, Artificial Intelligence, Algorithmic Racism and Digital Rights, PUCRS - Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
since 2024
Master in Business Administration (MBA), Digital Business, University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil
2023–2024
Specialization, Digital Law and Data Protection, Universidade São Judas Tadeu - São Paulo, Brazil
2023–2024
Specialization, Criminal Sciences, CERS - Porto Alegre, Brazil
2019–2023
Bachelor in Law, PUCRS - Porto Alegre, Brazil
since 2025
Senior Innovation and Technology Analyst, CEDRA - Center for Embedded Devices and Research in Digital Agriculture and Federation of Industries of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2024–2025
Innovation and Technology Leader, ILHOTA HUB - Innovation and Black Culture, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2024–2025
Chief Legal Officer for Innovation and Technology (CLO), IBIAMA - Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
2019–2024
Customer Success Manager - Mussi, Freitas & Paixão Law Firm - Porto Alegre, RS
- Awarded as Under 30 (Outstanding Student) by PUCRS, the best private university in Brazil and recognized as a benchmark in research and innovation in global excellence rankings. In addition, I am the first black person to receive this recognition in the history of the university.
- Awarded by the Center for European and German Studies (CDEA) and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD) with an international mobility scholarship for a master's degree at the University of Bonn.
- Selected as one of six Brazilians approved in the selection process for the Seminar Legados de la esclavización, reparaciones y justicia algorítmica, promoted by the Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLACSO) and UNESCO-Ecuador in 2024.
- Awarded a full scholarship from the Brazilian Research Excellence Program through the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).
- Ranked first in the selection process for the Master's Program in Law at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS).
- Awarded the SDG Award by the Rio Grande do Sul National SDG Movement and the Technology Park of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (TECNOPUC), in the Innovation and Technology category for the Aya Map Project: a social and vulnerability cartography in crisis management during the floods that occurred in May 2024 in southern Brazil.
- Awarded a full scholarship for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Digital Business at the University of São Paulo (MBA USP/Esalq).
- Awarded a full scholarship for a Specialization in Digital Law and Data Protection at São Judas Tadeu University in São Paulo (USJT).
- Awarded a full scholarship for specialization in Criminal Sciences at the Renato Saraiva Complex (CERS).
Deep Tech Base Program (2025)
I was part of the development of the Base Program, promoted by CEDRA – Center for Embedded Devices and Research in Digital Agriculture, in partnership with the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology, the Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul, and the Brazilian Industrial Research and Innovation Company. This is a pioneering national initiative that promotes science and technology-based startups (deep techs) in Brazil, offering grants to researchers from across the country. The program supports the creation and scalability of businesses in four phases of development and investment. The project connects participants to mentors, workshops, investors, and innovation networks, generating an impact on the development of future technologies in the country.
ILHOTA HUB – Innovation and Black Culture (since 2023)
Co-founder and strategic leader of the first hub in Rio Grande do Sul focused on empowering the black population, coordinated by REAFRO-Brasil in partnership with the Porto Alegre City Hall. I worked on the design, structuring, and implementation of innovation, entrepreneurship, and socio-environmental impact projects, serving peripheral communities throughout the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Responsible for coordinating mentoring, workshops, and cultural initiatives that promote inclusion, income generation, and appreciation of Black ancestry as a vector for innovation.
Monument in Honor of Zumbi dos Palmares in Porto Alegre (2023–2024)
I worked on the comprehensive development of the first monument dedicated to Zumbi dos Palmares in Rio Grande do Sul, carried out in partnership with the startup IBIAMA and with support from the Porto Alegre City Hall. I participated from conception to final delivery, covering digital experience in Augmented Reality, data protection, and digital security, as well as the integration of art, culture, and technology. The project, which gained national prominence, values Afro-Brazilian history and promotes anti-racist education in public spaces, becoming a historical and technological landmark for the city and a reference for all of Brazil.
Innovation Glossary – Unraveling Concepts (2023)
Co-author of an educational and inclusive tool that democratizes access to knowledge about innovation and entrepreneurship, translating 127 technical terms into accessible language connected to the Brazilian reality. The glossary also includes an interactive memory game with 25 fundamental concepts, promoting engagement and belonging among audiences historically distanced from these ecosystems. Used by several innovation hubs and technology parks in Brazil, the project was launched by Rede RS Startup in partnership with the Rio Grande do Sul State Secretariat for Innovation, Science, and Technology, the Rio Grande do Sul State Secretariat of Education, the Rio Grande do Sul State Research Support Foundation, the Rio Grande do Sul Innovation Environments Network, the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, University of Vale do Rio dos Sinos, IBIAMA, and ILHOTA HUB.
Mapa Aya – Social and Vulnerability Cartography in Crisis Management Floods of 2024
One of the creators of Mapa Aya, a social technology developed in partnership with IBIAMA and with support from the Porto Alegre City Hall, to consolidate data, demands, and vulnerabilities of the communities most affected by the floods that hit Porto Alegre and several regions of Rio Grande do Sul between May and July 2024. The project became a strategic tool for solidarity management, allowing community leaders, volunteers, humanitarian organizations, and public authorities to act in a coordinated manner and focus on the populations most at risk. The system registered 294 institutions and was recognized and adopted by the International Red Cross as the basis for emergency economic support policies for the most affected families.
Preparation for Admission to the Master's/Doctorate Program at UFRGS (since 2021)
I work in the organization and coordination of the Preparation Group for Admission to the Master's and Doctorate Program at UFRGS, an initiative of the Anti-Racism Research Center (NPA/UFRGS) aimed at promoting racial equity and diversity in graduate studies. The group offers academic and emotional support to people from historically discriminated groups through training meetings, content reviews, discussion groups, and methodological guidance. As NPA research coordinator, I contribute to the group's scientific production and the development of pedagogical strategies. The initiative has already resulted in more than 25 participants being accepted into graduate programs at universities throughout Rio Grande do Sul, establishing itself as a milestone in expanding access to graduate studies in Brazil for historically vulnerable people.