Artificial intelligence adoption faces integration and ROI challenges

The corporate landscape is undergoing a significant shift toward applied artificial intelligence, though adoption challenges remain. In Brazil, a study by TOTVS and MIT reveals a paradox: while 80% of companies use AI to some degree, 93% have not successfully integrated it into their core business models, and 88% fail to measure its financial return.

To address these gaps, several companies are targeting specific niches. Harbor has secured $10 million in seed funding to provide insurance against AI agent failures. HappyRobot, a unicorn valued at $1.2 billion, has opened an office in São Paulo to deploy autonomous agents for large corporations in logistics and finance. Meanwhile, Dataside has set a goal to generate R$10 billion in client results by 2031 through measurable AI implementation.

In the hospitality sector, TOTVS is investing in modernizing Property Management Systems (PMS) and developing specialized AI agents via its LYNN platform. On the hardware side, Vaio is integrating embedded AI into corporate notebooks to automate hybrid meeting tasks. Additionally, the industrial sector is seeing international expansion, evidenced by the arrival of UBTECH Robotics’ humanoid Cruzr S2 in Brazil to explore industrial applications.

However, risks persist. In Portugal, a study found that 76% of companies investing in AI do not include cybersecurity as a priority. Similarly, in the insurance sector, Capgemini reports that 42% of insurers do not yet measure the results of their AI investments, highlighting a need for better strategic alignment.