AI engineers: high demand and competitive salaries drive careers in Brazil in 2026

Demand and remuneration

Artificial intelligence engineering is one of the most sought-after professions in Brazil in 2026. According to the Robert Half Salary Guide 2026, average salaries range from R$19,500 to R$27,100, with higher pay for strategic technology roles within companies.

This demand is driven by the growing adoption of automated tools in businesses, while Brazil faces the challenge of training enough qualified professionals to meet this need.

The role of an AI engineer

AI engineers create systems that learn from data. Examples of their work include virtual assistants, recommendation systems, and generative models that can produce text and images.

In practice, they develop and train machine learning models—a technique where computers identify patterns in large datasets without manual programming of each rule. They then integrate these solutions into digital platforms using languages like Python.

Education and skills required

The most common paths to enter this field are degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Information Systems. Specializations in programming, data science, or machine learning are seen as advantages.

Beyond technical expertise, companies seek professionals who can interpret data generated by automated systems. Specialist Roberta Antunes notes that data analysis, critical thinking, and adaptability to new technologies are essential skills. Understanding how AI tools work—known as AI literacy—is also becoming increasingly important.

Complementary careers in AI

Engineering isn’t the only option. Researchers and consultants develop algorithms and study solutions for processing large datasets, which requires a background in exact sciences and often a master’s or doctoral degree. Full-time and senior professionals can earn between R$10,000 and R$18,000, with variations depending on international projects or research centers.

There’s also the infrastructure sector, where technicians and data center specialists operate and maintain the servers, networks, and systems that process data used by AI platforms.

How to transition into the field

For those already working in another role, experts suggest applying AI tools to practical projects, studying language models, and participating in training and evaluation initiatives for data-based systems. Remote work also allows collaboration with companies and labs abroad without leaving Brazil.

Market outlook

Experts predict that AI-related careers will continue to grow as investment in technology, automation, and data analysis increases. Professor Tiago Zanolla says new positions will emerge as companies integrate automated systems into their processes.