In 2024, Brazil consolidates its position as one of the global leaders in technology, driven by significant advances in various strategic areas. According to a survey by Oliver Wyman published by Poder360, 57% of Brazilians have already used generative Artificial Intelligence tools (Gen AI), surpassing countries like Spain (46%) and the United States (33%), which, although pioneers, show lower adoption. Generation Z is the group that uses this technology the most, with 75% adoption, followed by Millennials (64%) and Generation X (52%), showing how digital transformation is embraced by different age groups.
Agriculture is also experiencing a technological revolution. A study conducted by researcher Maira de Souza Regis from the University of Brasília (UnB) indicates that the adoption of digital technology in the field has become essential for increasing sustainability and productivity. The use of drones, management software, and sensors is already common among 80% of producers in the Central-West, while the Northeast region, with 41% adoption, is still in the adaptation process. This movement not only improves control and efficiency but also helps reduce climate risks and integrate the countryside into the precision agriculture landscape.
In the healthcare sector, the TIC Saúde 2024 report, released by Cetic.br, reveals that 17% of Brazilian doctors already use generative AI in their practice, but only 23% received specific training in the digital area in the last 12 months. The gap in training demonstrates the urgent need for capacity building so that professionals can keep up with the demands of technological transformation and provide more efficient and secure services.
The sale ofelectric carsand hybrids should be above what manufacturers expected, with the initial target of 150,000 units being reached as early as November 2024. The forecast is from the president of theBrazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE)Ricardo Bastos, published by Auto Esporte.
Another milestone in 2024 is the expansion of 5G, which has been in place in Brazil for two years. The technology is already available in 589 cities, with approximately 28 million connected users and an average download speed of 450 Mbps, according to data from Anatel and Ookla. 5G promises to transform everything from everyday services to strategic sectors such as automation and the Internet of Things, and the government predicts that by 2029 all Brazilian cities will be covered by the new technology.
Despite all these advances, the job market faces challenges in keeping up with the growing demand for IT specialists. According to Brasscom and the Senado Agency, Brazil will need 800,000 new professionals by 2025, but only trains 53,000 per year, indicating a significant deficit in the sector. To mitigate this problem, programs like Conecta and Capacita aim to expand the training of qualified labor and reduce inequalities in access to technology, especially in more isolated areas.
This landscape places Brazil in a moment of great technological fervor, with multiple opportunities and challenges to be overcome. Amid this transformation, figures emerge who stand out in leadership and innovation. Nexxt PR released a survey listing the 30 most influential people in technology in Brazil in 2024, representing the innovative spirit and ambition of a country at the center of the digital revolution.
1- Pedro Mac Dowell- CEO of QITECH, led the company to become the first Brazilian unicorn in 2024. Under its leadership, QITECH revolutionized the national technology market with innovations that solidified its success on the global stage.
2- Luiz Frias- CEO of PAGSEGURO, one of the largest digital payment companies in Brazil. Frias promoted the democratization of access to payment methods, expanding the company's operations across various sectors and leading digital transformation in the financial industry.
3- Pedro Franceschi– CEO of BREX, one of the most impactful financial startups in the USA. Franceschi co-founded Brex with Henrique Dubugras, providing innovative financial solutions for startups and growing companies, becoming a reference in Silicon Valley.
4- Jonathan Freitas- Technology investor with a prominent presence in the innovation market, Freitas supports emerging startups and has a diversified portfolio. Your investment vision helps early-stage companies establish themselves in the competitive technology market.
5- Faustino JuniorCEO of FGMED, a company dedicated to high-performance continuing medical education. Faustino is also the creator of MEDFLIX and leads technological projects aimed at improving efficiency and accessibility in the healthcare sector, with a focus on innovation and quality of life.
6- John Del Valle- CEO of EBANX, responsible for the company's financial solutions expansion in Latin America. Del Valle has been fundamental in the partnership between EBANX and global giants, facilitating consumers' access to international brands.
7- Fernando Yunes- CEO of Mercado Livre since 2020, bringing experience in consumer goods and technology. Yunes leads the integration between the different areas of Mercado Livre, such as Mercado Pago and Mercado Envios, strengthening the company's presence in Brazilian e-commerce.
8- Henrique Dubugras- Co-founder of Brex, which has been innovating in the global financial sector with solutions for high-growth companies. Dubugras became an international reference by driving Brex, transforming access to capital for startups and small businesses.
9- Francisco Gomes Neto – CEO of Embraer since 2019, he leads the company with a focus on innovation and efficiency, achieving the largest order book in seven years and exploring new markets and technologies to expand global competitiveness.
10- Tania Cosentino- President of Microsoft Brazil, known for promoting sustainability and leading the integration of artificial intelligence solutions. Tânia develops strategic partnerships that drive digital transformation in the country and support responsible business practices.
11- Conrad Leister –Meta's General Director in Brazil, leading the company's market strategies and expansion in the country.
12- Patricia Muratori- Head of YouTube Brazil, focused on expanding the platform's reach and cultural relevance. Muratori drove the creation of local content and new partnerships, leading YouTube Brazil to achieve record viewership.
13- Philip Trinity- CEO of Know How Club in Brazil, focused on networking development and shared knowledge. Trindade has been expanding the club to make the corporate environment more collaborative and innovative in the country.
14- Felipe Feistler- Shein executive in Brazil, responsible for the rapid expansion of the fast-fashion brand in the local market. Feistler manages marketing strategies and operations, strengthening Shein's presence among Brazilian consumers.
15- Peter Jordan – CEO and founder of Petaxxon and creator of Ei Nerd! and Nerds de Negócios, specializing in nerd culture, marketing, and digital entrepreneurship. Peter Jordan connects the nerd universe to the business world, creating content and strategies that drive the digital culture sector.
16- Fabricio Bloisi- President-Director of Prosus and former CEO of iFood, with extensive experience in technology and delivery. Bloisi drove the growth of iFood and continues to lead innovations in the digital market, directly influencing the sector's evolution.
17- Diego Barreto- New iFood CEO, Barreto is in charge of Latin America's largest delivery platform. With your strategic vision, you aim to expand the operation and solidify iFood as a market leader.
18- Cristina Junqueira- Co-founder of Nubank, a highly influential figure in the financial sector. Your leadership was essential in making Nubank a global reference in digital banks and promoting its expansion across Latin America.
19- Igor Leo RochaCo-founder and CEO of AfroSaúde, leads a healthtech focused on reducing social and racial inequalities in health through innovation and social impact. Recognized as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in 2023 in the Health and Wellness category, Rocha is also a LinkedIn Top Voice and an advocate of Afro-entrepreneurship.
20- Fabio Coelho– President of Google Brazil, focusing on digital advertising and technological innovation. Coelho is a key figure in Google's digital presence in the country, promoting initiatives to transform the digital media market.
21- Daniel Mazini- Amazon Brazil executive, leading efforts to strengthen logistics and expand the digital product offerings. Mazini plays a fundamental role in Amazon's growth in the Brazilian market, especially in e-commerce and services.
22- Elizabeth Zenatti- Netflix Brazil executive, dedicated to platform expansion and promotion of local productions. Zenatti boosts Brazilian content on Netflix, strengthening the catalog and increasing the visibility of national productions.
23- Fatima Blackboard– CEO of Mynd, an influencer agency, and director of Billboard Brazil. Billboard is essential in the digital advertising and culture market, connecting brands and influential influencers.
24- Jonathan Leão– CEO of Escola do Dólar Global, one of the largest digital education platforms in Brazil. Leão leads a company with over 84,000 users in more than 60 countries, with recognition in the international media.
25- Ricardo Bastos– President of ABVE and Director of Institutional Relations at Great Wall Motor Brazil. Economist, Bastos has 25 years of experience and contributes to the advancement of the electric vehicle sector in the country.
26- Alexandre Baldy- Senior Vice President of BYD, a leader in automotive innovation. Baldy plays a key role in the expansion and development of the company's sustainable mobility solutions in Brazil.
27- Maitê Lourenco- Founder and CEO of BlackRocks Startups, an accelerator focused on the inclusion of Black entrepreneurs. Lourenço is a reference in diversity and impacts the innovation ecosystem by opening opportunities for minority startups.
28- Thoran Rodrigues- Founder and CEO of BigDataCorp, specialized in big data and analytics. Rodrigues leads projects that help companies and governments make strategic decisions based on large volumes of data.
29- Paulo Veras- Co-founder of 99, the first Brazilian startup to reach unicorn status. Veras is an active investor and mentor in the digital mobility and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
30- Alexander Avalca– CEO of 4blue, a company dedicated to financial and business education, Avalca is responsible for developing learning solutions to boost entrepreneurship and financial management in Brazil.