New ADP Research study shows Brazilians see positive impact of AI at work

A new global study by ADP Research, the research center of ADP, reveals that Brazil leads the optimism in Latin America regarding the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workplace. The survey, which heard 38 thousand workers on six continents, points out that 26% of Brazilians believe that AI will have a positive effect on their tasks and responsibilities next year, a percentage above the regional average of 19% 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 mostly positive view, the study also reveals that AI generates ambiguous feelings among professionals. In Brazil, 10% of workers fear being replaced by technology, while 12% still do not know how they can affect their functions. These indices of concern and uncertainty are aligned with the Latin American average and reinforce the need for clear actions by companies to mitigate insecurities and prepare teams for technological transformations.

Worldwide, the presence of AI in the corporate environment represents more than an operational change. For workers, it is an emotional transformation. Companies that recognize this impact, that commit to training professionals to use technology and that clearly communicate how it will be integrated into day-to-day, are more prepared to build resilient and future-ready teams.

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. Among those who do not have this concern, only 16% demonstrate the same behavior, indicating that insecurity can be a determining factor for increased turnover in companies.

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 years believe that it will have a positive impact on their work. Among those aged 27 to 39 years, this number is 28%; in the range of 40 to 54 years, 23%; and among those over 55 years, 20%. On the other hand, the fear of replacement is also more present among the younger, with 13% suggests that change in the 1 years even 11111 years.

Professional qualification also influences how AI is perceived. Among the so-called “knowledge workers”, 23% see a positive impact.Among skilled task professionals, the index is 19%, and among those who perform cyclic or repetitive functions, 16%.

In the sector analysis, which covers all of Latin America, the areas of technology and finance stand out as the most optimistic. About 26% of technology sector respondents believe that AI will have a positive effect on their jobs, followed by 23% in the financial and insurance sector.

In contrast, the survey shows that the most fearful sectors are those of Technology and Mining Services, oil and gas extraction, where 13% and 24% of workers, respectively, fear being replaced by AI in the region. In the area of health and social assistance, the number of optimists falls to 15%.

The survey reinforces that, although Artificial Intelligence is widely seen as an ally in the corporate environment, the path of transformation requires preparation, active listening and clear strategies by companies. With a rapidly evolving scenario, leading with empathy and planning will be essential to build a workforce ready for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Report Series Methodology “People at Work 2025”

The 2025 People at Work 2025’ series of reports builds on the ADP Research Global Workforce Survey, a robust study conducted regularly since 2015. The survey, designed by the ADP Research analyst team, collects information about the labor market from the perspective of workers themselves, providing insights that can improve the world of work through a better understanding of worker sentiment and expectations.

Based on survey data from nearly 38,000 workers in 34 markets on six continents, “People at Work 2025” presents a representative sample of the global workforce to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment in the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, and North America.

Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, face-to-face and remote work environments, and skill sets.They represent a range of management and individual contribution positions, working for employers of all sizes.

A unique attribute of the “People at Work 2025” series of reports is its measurement of worker sentiment in granular detail among types of workers, using a proprietary methodology developed by ADP Research. In addition to employer demographic characteristics, survey respondents are ranked by the type of work they perform 'of knowledge, skilled or cyclical tasks 'regardless of industry.

The ability of “People at Work” to collect feelings across these different dimensions of workers and geographies provides employers with a refined, 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 multi-employee workers to survive, to salary trends and career development.