Beyond Digital-First: How AI Transforms the Brazilian Banking Ecosystem into AI-Centric

The Brazilian banking sector is experiencing a historical inflection point, driven by a significant leap in technology investments which grew 58.4% over the last five years, reaching R$ 47.8 billion projected for 2025, according to search Febraban. 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 center of this revolution is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which, alongside cloud computing, is radically transforming the structure, products, and operations of financial institutions.

We are living in a time where being “digital-first” is no longer sufficient, and this movement does not happen by chance. It directly supports the evolution of technology companies – especially those with an “AI-Centric” focus – which see the financial sector as an increasingly sophisticated, demanding client willing to invest in cutting-edge solutions.

The push 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 is a true living laboratory for AI applications at scale.

The consolidation of AI as one of the pillars of banking architecture goes beyond rhetoric. The studi Febraban shows that 61% of the 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 implemented AI report superior gains.

· 20% growth in efficiency.

· 80% already incorporate Generative AI into their operations with measurable productivity increases.

However, the most revealing data might be another: less than half of these institutions have structured governance for AI, which opens opportunities for technology companies to also act on the maturity and security of this transformation. This race for intelligence brings multiplier effects.

In a country with structural challenges and infrastructure gaps, seeing the financial sector migrate all its business domains to the cloud and increase 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 foundation that, when consolidated in banks, benefits the entire chain – from fintechs to corporate software providers.

Technology, when allied with strategy, transforms not only what we do but how we think. Real-time personalization, enabled by AI and data, has already become a requirement for banking customers, and with that, it shapes the entire design of journey and relationship for institutions. According to international 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 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 of employees, including reskilling strategies and new hires in IT. Today, 11% of bank staff 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 generation of qualified jobs.

In a global scenario where 81% of banking sector CEOs consider investment in Generative AI a top priority, Brazil stands out not only for its volume but for its speed of adoption. Technology is, today, the greatest competitive differential for banks, and the “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 this positions the country as a center of excellence in banking technology and contributes to strengthening its image as a technological innovation hub.

The future promises even greater challenges and opportunities, with trends such as asset tokenization, revolution in international payments, and transformation of software engineering through AI. More than a reaction to disruption, the financial sector is paving the trail for the next era of the digital economy. The continuous investment in technology by banks not only supports but challenges the Brazilian IT sector to innovate constantly, with agility, responsibility, and future vision.

In times of uncertainty, this movement is a clear signal: digital transformation is no longer a choice – it is the path to relevance and resilience. The growth of bank investments in technology not only supports 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 global digital transformation.