A new global study by ADP Research, ADP's research arm, reveals that Brazil leads in optimism in Latin America regarding the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace. The research, which surveyed 38,000 workers across six continents, indicates that 26% of Brazilians believe AI will have a positive effect on their tasks and responsibilities in the coming year, a percentage above the regional average of 19%. The research is part of the People at Work 2025 , which seeks to understand, from the perspective of the employees themselves, how technology is shaping the future of work.
Despite the predominantly positive outlook, the study also reveals that AI generates mixed feelings among professionals. In Brazil, 10% of workers fear being replaced by technology, while 12% are still unsure how it might affect their roles. These levels of concern and uncertainty are in line with the Latin American average and reinforce the need for clear actions by companies to mitigate insecurities and prepare teams for technological transformations.
Around the world, the presence of AI in the corporate environment represents more than just an operational change. For workers, it's an emotional transformation. Companies that recognize this impact, commit to training professionals to use the technology, and clearly communicate how it will be integrated into daily life, are better prepared to build resilient teams ready for the future.
One of the highlights of the survey is the relationship between the perception of AI and talent retention: among Brazilians who fear being replaced by machines, 30% are actively seeking new job opportunities. However, among those who do not share this concern, only 16% demonstrate the same behavior, indicating that insecurity may be a determining factor in increased employee turnover.
The study also observed important differences between generations. Young workers are more optimistic about the potential of technology: 30% of professionals aged 18 to 26 believe it will have a positive impact on their work. Among those aged 27 to 39, this number is 28%; in the 40 to 54 age group, 23%; and among those over 55, 20%. On the other hand, the fear of being replaced is also more present among younger people, with 13% in the 18 to 26 age group and 11% in the 27 to 39 age group. This suggests that, even when optimistic, young people feel the pressure of change more.
Professional qualifications also influence how AI is perceived. Among so-called "knowledge workers," 23% see a positive impact. Among skilled workers, the rate is 19%, and among those performing cyclical or repetitive tasks, 16%.
In the sector-by-sector analysis, which covers all of Latin America, the technology and finance sectors stand out as the most optimistic. Approximately 26% of respondents in the technology sector believe that AI will have a positive effect on their jobs, followed by 23% in the finance and insurance sector.
Conversely, the survey shows that the most fearful sectors are Technology Services and Mining, oil and gas extraction, where 13% and 24% of workers, respectively, fear being replaced by AI in the region. In the health and social assistance sector, the number of optimists drops to 15%.
The survey reinforces that, although Artificial Intelligence is widely seen as an ally in the corporate environment, the path to transformation requires preparation, active listening, and clear strategies from companies. With a rapidly evolving landscape, leading with empathy and planning will be essential to building a workforce ready for the challenges and opportunities of the future.
Methodology of the “People at Work 2025” Report Series
The 'People at Work 2025' series of reports is based on ADP Research's Global Workforce Survey, a robust study conducted regularly since 2015. Designed by ADP Research's team of analysts, the survey gathers information about the labor market from the perspective of the workers themselves, providing insights that can improve the world of work through a better understanding of workers' sentiment and expectations.
Based on survey data from nearly 38,000 workers in 34 markets across six continents, “People at Work 2025” presents a representative sample of the global workforce to provide regional and market-to-market comparisons of worker sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America.
The respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, in-person and remote work environments, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contribution roles, working for employers of all sizes.
A unique attribute of the “People at Work 2025” reporting series is its measurement of worker sentiment in granular detail across worker types, using a proprietary methodology developed by ADP Research. In addition to employer demographics, survey respondents are categorized by the type of work they perform – knowledge, skilled, or cyclical – regardless of industry.
The ability of “People at Work” to collect sentiments across these different worker and geographic dimensions provides employers with a refined and granular view of the global workforce that they can leverage to better understand their teams and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.
Each report will combine global trends with market-by-market insights on workplace topics, ranging from artificial intelligence and workers juggling multiple jobs to salary trends and career development.
