The technological revolution of recent years, driven by artificial intelligence, automation, and advanced data analysis, has been transforming business models and, with them, the most strategic positions within companies. Functions that until recently were unknown now hold key positions in areas such as technology, finance, risk, and operations — ranking among the most valued (and hardest to hire) in the market.
With the advancement of generative AI tools, increasingly sophisticated data usage, and the pursuit of efficiency and scale, new functions have emerged. According to a LinkedIn survey, 10% of professionals hired in 2024 hold positions that did not exist in the 2000s, such as data scientist, sustainability manager, and artificial intelligence engineer. The study surveyed over 2,000 HR professionals in 10 countries, as well as 5,000 platform users and executives. The data indicates that the skills required by the market today must be replaced or significantly altered by 2030. In Brazil, 9 out of 10 business leaders recognize that the demand for new skills and roles is growing at an accelerated pace.
"We are at a turning point. Artificial intelligence has ceased to be a promise and has become an active part of companies' strategies, especially in financial and operational areas," emphasizes Thiago Oliveira, CEO of Monest – a company that recovers assets through debt collection by a virtual agent called Mia, connected by artificial intelligence.
For the CEO, the need for professionals who combine technical expertise with business vision has never been more urgent. Today, it is impossible to scale an operation without intelligent automation. The most valued positions are precisely those that connect technology to real impact on results, he/she/they adds.
Check out five roles that were born — or gained strength — with the rise of artificial intelligence and are now among the most sought after in the market:
- Prompt Engineer
With the rise of platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, companies have begun to seek professionals specialized in creating optimized prompts to extract the best performance from generative AI. This position requires logical reasoning, clarity of language, and technical understanding—and is already valued in areas such as customer service, legal, HR, and product development.
- Financial Automation Specialist
The need to automate manual and repetitive tasks in the financial areas — such as bank reconciliation, cash flow analysis, and delinquency control — has led to the emergence of professionals specialized in implementing and operating intelligent systems. They connect data, platforms, and routines with a focus on efficiency, scalability, and reduction of human errors.
- Data Scientist focused on business
More than interpreting data, this professional translates information into practical decisions and financial strategies. He works in predictive analytics, risk modeling, pricing, and opportunity identification. AI is further enhancing the ability of these specialists to generate real impact in companies.
- Applied AI Analyst
Unlike traditional AI developers, this role focuses on adapting and applying existing artificial intelligence tools to solve specific business problems. In financial companies, these professionals are optimizing everything from credit modeling to automation of collections and customer service.
- AI and Data Governance Specialist
With the increasing use of algorithms in critical decisions, such as credit granting or financial transactions, the demand for professionals capable of ensuring compliance, transparency, and accountability in the use of AI has grown. This function involves bias assessment, model validation, and technological compliance.
For Thiago Oliveira, these roles reflect a deeper change in the role of technology within companies: "Before, technology was support. Now, it is a decision-making center. And those who master the logic of AI, data, and automation are naturally closer to leadership," he concludes.
