José Augusto de Lima Prestes (“Guto”)
I am a senior multidisciplinary professional with over 25 years of experience operating at the intersection of Technology, Law, and Corporate Strategy. My professional background includes experience as an Attorney-at-Law, C-level executive (COO and CGO), Technical Leader (Project Manager and Product Owner), Data Protection Officer, and Researcher.
Currently, I am engaged in multiple professional initiatives and projects as an Attorney, Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Researcher. In parallel, I conduct academic research in robotics and artificial intelligence at the master’s and postgraduate levels, with affiliations at Unicamp and UFPB.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP (C-LEVEL): Professional experience in executive roles as Chief Operations Officer (COO), involving the coordination of multidisciplinary teams and participation in the management of a Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) funding structure. Activities included oversight of a Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) project portfolio encompassing programs such as PPI, Brazilian Informatics Law, FINEP, ANEEL, and FAPESP, as well as involvement in organizational restructuring processes, digital transformation initiatives, budgetary management, and the management of technology capacity-building and training projects.
GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE: Experience in governance and compliance functions as Chief Governance Officer (CGO), Data Protection Officer (DPO), and Legal Lead, with responsibilities related to the design and implementation of compliance programs, risk management structures, and data protection frameworks, including those required under Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (LGPD). Professional activities included contractual advisory and negotiation with public entities and private organizations in technology-intensive environments.
AI & ROBOTICS RESEARCH: Academic and applied research activities in Artificial Intelligence Governance, Operations, and Ethics, addressing normative, ethical, and operational risks associated with emerging technologies. This work includes the study of governance frameworks for the responsible adoption of Generative AI, Large Language Models, AI-assisted development practices, and robotics systems, with attention to regulatory alignment and organizational use.
Executive Leadership & Strategy:
C-Suite Roles: COO and CGO with over 25 years of multidisciplinary experience.
Science & Technology Fund Management: Oversight of a R$ 1.2 billion Science & Technology (STI) fund.
Organizational Transformation: Leading corporate restructuring and digital transformation.
Team Leadership: Management of multidisciplinary teams of approximately 50 people.
RD&I Portfolio Management:
Scale & Scope: Strategic leadership of a R$ 120M+ tax-incentivized RD&I portfolio.
Technology Focus: Orchestrating AI, IoT, and end-to-end HW/SW development; integrating Industry 4.0 methodologies and optimized lifecycle processes.
Tax-Incentivized Funding: Deep experience with Brazilian Informatics Law, PPI, Finep, ANEEL, and FAPESP funding frameworks.
National Training: Scaled ICT programs qualifying over 4,000 participants.
Languages:
English (Fluent/C1).
Spanish (Basic).
German (Basic).
Digital, Tech, Robotics & AI Law:
Emerging Technology Law: AI Law, Lex Robotica (Robotics Law), and Digital Law.
Complexity: Technology contracts, software licensing (Proprietary & FOSS), and IP strategy.
Emergent Risks: Designing frameworks for secure corporate adoption of AI and Robotics.
Liability Frameworks: Negotiating technology transfers and risk mitigation in Industry 4.0.
Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC):
Data Privacy: Former DPO; architected full LGPD compliance programs and info-sec governance.
Board Advisory: Consultative legal practice alongside Superintendency and Boards of Directors.
Institutional Resilience: Designing risk and compliance maps for sustainable innovation.
Public Policy & Institutional Relations:
Policy Design: Formulation and evaluation of ICT public policies and federal tax-incentive regulations.
Government Liaison: Strategic negotiation with government bodies and major technology players.
Stakeholder Engagement: Fostering public-private collaborations and regional development