More than half of small businesses in Brazil already use AI, reveals Sebrae survey
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly present ally in Brazilian small businesses. According to a recent survey by Sebrae, 52% of small businesses used AI in the two weeks prior to the survey. This technology is primarily being utilized in areas such as marketing, customer service, and inventory management. The expectation is that this number will grow even more by the end of the year.
What stands out is that, despite the increase in productivity, the adoption of AI has not yet resulted in significant changes in the workforce of these companies. The survey, which interviewed over 7,000 entrepreneurs, showed that 90% of those using AI did not reduce the number of employees. Only 5% reported layoffs, while 3% hired more people due to the technology.
AI: a tool for productivity, not for cuts
Sebrae's president, Rodrigo Soares, emphasizes that AI is being seen as an essential tool to boost productivity and accelerate digital transformation in Brazil. "It has been used to reduce time on repetitive tasks, freeing the entrepreneur for more strategic issues," Soares states. This is particularly evident in the service sector, where 62% of respondents have already adopted the technology. Commerce and industry are also in the race, with 45% and 33% adoption, respectively.
But what really matters here is the change in the profile of job positions. The trend is for AI to take over mechanical and bureaucratic tasks, while the demand for workers with skills integrated with digital tools only increases. The future of work seems more focused on critical analysis and personal relationships than on repetitive tasks.
Challenges and opportunities on the horizon
Despite the optimism, there are still barriers to broader AI adoption among small businesses. The main obstacle? A lack of knowledge about the capabilities of the technology. Among those who do not plan to adopt AI in the coming months, 38% cite ignorance as the main reason. This shows that, in addition to developing the technology, it is crucial to democratize access and understanding of its applications.
The government plays an important role in this scenario. Support comes through policies like Nova Indústria Brasil, which seeks to promote the training of small businesses in AI. Partnerships with Sebrae and financing are some of the strategies adopted to drive this transformation.
The impact of AI on productivity and the labor market
Even though AI is being widely adopted, its impact on labor productivity remains uncertain. International studies indicate that the effects can vary, with projections ranging from almost no impact to an increase of up to 3.5%, according to McKinsey. However, the trend is that more complex occupations will be less impacted by automation, while more operational roles may undergo significant changes.
The Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise, and Small Business sees AI as an opportunity to increase the competitiveness of small businesses. The challenge now is to ensure that this technology does not remain restricted to large companies, but is accessible to all, democratizing knowledge and the use of AI tools.
In the end, artificial intelligence is consolidating itself as a key piece for innovation and competitiveness of small businesses in Brazil. But the path to broader and more effective adoption still involves overcoming ignorance and ensuring that everyone has access to the opportunities that this technology can offer.
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