The Brazilian banking sector is experiencing a historic inflection point, driven by a significant surge in technology investments that have grown by 58.4% in the last five years, reaching a projected R$ 47.8 billion by 2025, according to research by Febraban (Brazilian Federation of Banks). This intense pace of resource allocation not only consolidates banks as protagonists of digital transformation but also anchors and accelerates the development of the entire information technology ecosystem in the country. At the heart of this revolution is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which, together with cloud computing, is radically transforming the structure, products, and operations of financial institutions.
We are living in a time when being "digital-first" is no longer enough, and this shift is not accidental. It directly supports the evolution of technology companies – especially those with an "AI-centric" approach – that see the financial sector as an increasingly sophisticated, demanding client willing to invest in cutting-edge solutions.
The drive for AI, Generative AI, and Analytics has generated a virtuous cycle: the more banks advance in technological maturity, the more they demand innovative solutions, opening space for partnerships, new business models, and the development of specialized talent. In our case, the financial sector is more than a business vertical – it's a true living laboratory for AI applications at scale.
The consolidation of AI as one of the pillars of banking architecture goes beyond mere rhetoric. A study by Febraban shows that a 61% increase in investment in AI and data will be allocated to applications focused on operational efficiency, security, personalization, and prediction. The results are clear:
38% of banks that have already implemented AI are reporting higher profits.
• 20% growth in efficiency.
• 80% already incorporate Generative AI into their operations with measurable productivity increases.
However, perhaps the most revealing fact is another: less than half of these institutions have structured governance for AI, which opens up opportunities for technology companies to also play a role in the maturity and security of this transformation. This race for intelligence has multiplier effects.
In a country with structural challenges and infrastructure gaps, seeing the financial sector migrate all its business domains to the cloud and expand cloud investments in 89% of institutions creates a standard of demand and competitiveness. The impact is immediate: more flexible and scalable infrastructure, greater capacity to process data in real time, and an environment more conducive to continuous innovation. This is a technological base that, as it consolidates in banks, benefits the entire chain – from fintechs to enterprise software providers.
Technology, when combined with strategy, transforms not only what we do, but also how we think. Real-time personalization, enabled by AI and data, has already become a requirement for banking customers and, as a result, shapes the entire customer journey and relationship design of institutions. According to projections , the global hyper-personalization market in the financial sector could reach US$21.79 billion by 2031. For technology companies that provide this type of solution, there is a rare window of opportunity to scale innovation with a direct and measurable impact on their clients' businesses.
The advancement of AI in banks also has important internal effects: R$ 1.4 billion will be invested to improve the work experience for employees, including reskilling and new IT hires. Today, 11% of banks' workforce is already concentrated in technology, with growing demand for developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity specialists. This reinforces a crucial point: technological innovation in the banking sector is also an active policy for talent development and the creation of qualified jobs.
In a global landscape where 81% of banking CEOs consider investment in Generative AI a top priority, Brazil stands out not only for its volume but also for the speed of adoption. Technology is now the biggest competitive differentiator for banks, and "AI-centric" companies operating in this ecosystem play a key role in helping these institutions transform data into decisions, processes into intelligent platforms, and customers into protagonists of transformative digital journeys. All of this positions the country as a center of excellence in banking technology and contributes to strengthening its image as a hub for technological innovation.
The future promises even greater challenges and opportunities, with trends such as asset tokenization, a revolution in international payments, and the transformation of software engineering through AI. More than a reaction to disruption, the financial sector is paving the way for the next era of the digital economy. The continuous investment in technology by banks not only sustains but also challenges the Brazilian IT sector to innovate constantly, with agility, responsibility, and a forward-looking vision.
In times of uncertainty, this movement is a clear sign: digital transformation is no longer a choice – it is the path to relevance and resilience. The growth of banking investments in technology not only sustains but accelerates the development of the Brazilian technology sector, creating a virtuous circle of innovation that benefits the entire economy and reinforces Brazil's position as a protagonist in the global digital transformation.
