ALBA - ISFIC RESEARCH AND SCIENCE JOURNAL

EDITORIAL

Economic Resilience and New Growth Models for Lusophone Countries in the AI Era

Number 12, Volume 1, 1st Edition of the ALBA - ISFIC Research and Science Journal marks a pivotal moment in scientific dissemination across the Lusophone space. This issue brings together the articles presented at the VIII International Symposium on Economics and Management of Lusophony, held from June 16 to 18, 2026, at the University of Santiago, Cape Verde, under the theme "Economic resilience and new growth models for Lusophone countries in the AI era." This edition offers a profound and interdisciplinary reflection on how our economies can respond to the challenges and opportunities of the digital transition.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution mandates an accelerated reconfiguration of productive, organizational, and educational processes. For Portuguese-speaking countries, the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens unique prospects for technological leapfrogging, productivity improvements, and the optimization of public and private services. However, it also demands the mitigation of risks associated with digital exclusion, unemployment, and institutional vulnerabilities. The papers collected here address this duality through fundamental pillars:

• Economics, Management, and Finance: Studies focusing on digital management and technological readiness reveal how AI can redefine the growth of SMEs and large industries in Mozambique, Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Portugal. They examine business resilience, internal control effectiveness, public debt sustainability, monetary transmission, and the impact of innovative mechanisms such as debt swaps.

• Capacity Building, Education, and Employability: The transition to data-intensive economies urgently requires overcoming skills mismatches. Research in this area proposes pedagogical models integrated with AI, strategies to combat unemployment and school dropouts, and human capital management mechanisms tailored to the future market.

• Social Innovation, Health, and Sustainability: This volume also highlights practical applications of technology in hospital efficiency, precision agriculture, the circular economy, and environmental management. Additionally, it addresses issues of human rights, local governance, and labor relations, reaffirming the ethical and human dimensions of development.

The scientific production in this volume demonstrates that AI is a powerful lever whose success critically depends on institutional strengthening, transparent governance, and continuous investment in human capital.

We thank all authors for their scientific rigor, as well as the editorial board and reviewers for their meticulous work. We wish everyone a stimulating and inspiring read.

The Editorial Team

Executive Secretary and Honorary Associate of RIAL

Rodrigues Zicai Fazenda

Honorary Associate of RIAL

Rogério F. Romão

Treasurer and Honorary Associate of RIAL