Brazil firms expand AI training as SMEs face hiring hurdles

In Brazil, companies are preparing for future AI‑driven roles even before the jobs exist. A survey by Aon shows 54% of Brazilian firms trained up to 20% of their staff in artificial intelligence over the past year, surpassing the Latin American (51%) and global (47%) averages. Yet only 35% have fully implemented AI, with most still in pilot or pre‑implementation phases. Executives emphasise adaptability and continuous learning as the core competencies needed for the coming workforce.

At the same time, small and medium‑size enterprises (SMEs) report significant challenges in hiring suitable talent. A Flash study of 370 HR professionals found that 70% consider identifying the right candidate the biggest obstacle, while 49% cite difficulty attracting talent. Leadership involvement is low, with 43% of SMEs reporting limited manager participation in recruitment, and 30% still relying on spreadsheets to manage hiring processes. Mistakes in hiring can cost several months of productivity and substantial financial resources for these smaller firms.