Demand for AI skills soars in Brazil’s job market

The proportion of jobs in Brazil requiring artificial intelligence skills nearly tripled in a year, rising from 1.1% to 3.6% of job postings between 2024 and 2025, according to PwC’s AI Jobs Barometer 2026. This equates to almost 119,000 new job opportunities.

A global study analyzed over 1 billion job postings across six continents, using data provided by Lightcast. In Brazil, the need for AI skills is no longer confined to purely technical roles and is now also emerging in entry-level positions.

Accelerated growth in AI demand

In Brazil, most jobs are related to the practical application of technology rather than its development. In 2025, around 102,000 jobs required the use of AI in daily operations, while only 16,700 were linked to the creation of AI systems.

The technology, media, and telecommunications sector leads hiring, accounting for 13% of AI-related jobs in 2025. Professional services—such as consulting and law firms—are also beginning to feel the impact.

Most valued skills

Occupations most exposed to AI in Brazil gained an average of 314 new skills per role compared to 2021, versus 88 in less exposed roles. This figure does not mean professionals need to master all techniques; part of the increase also reflects the overall growth in job volume.

Practical tool usage

The first requirement is the ability to operate AI assistants for specific tasks, such as summarizing documents, organizing spreadsheets, or creating initial presentation drafts.

Critical review of results

As AI takes over routine tasks, the importance of reviewing outputs, verifying sources, identifying biases, and validating information increases.

Judgment, empathy, and creativity

Globally, new activities associated with AI-exposed roles are 2.5 times more likely to require empathy, judgment, and creativity. Additionally, there is growing demand for professionals who can direct AI systems, interpret results, and make complex decisions.

Impact on early careers

Internationally, junior roles in AI-exposed positions are seven times more likely to require skills typically associated with senior professionals, such as leadership and strategic thinking. PwC refers to this phenomenon as the “seniorization” of entry-level positions.

Dan Priest, AI Director at PwC in the United States, says this shift should not be seen as companies trying to limit hiring. “Adaptation will require coordinated efforts from businesses, educational institutions, and policymakers,” he says.

Challenges for businesses and education

A survey by Pearson and Cognizant of 750 HR leaders in the United States, United Kingdom, and India found that 60% believe their learning programs do not keep pace with evolving job roles. Another 64% report difficulty finding professionals with AI skills.

Outlook and recommendations

The speed at which job postings incorporate AI requirements shows that a role’s activities can change without its title changing. For professionals, an effective strategy is to compare current tasks with job descriptions in the same field and identify where AI is already being used.

• Monitor job postings in your field to identify new AI requirements.
• Invest in practical AI tool skills and develop critical review capabilities.
• Develop human skills such as empathy, judgment, and creativity, which are increasingly valued.
• Companies should update training programs and collaborate with educational institutions to align curricula with new demands.