AI Radar: UN Warns of Impact on 40% of Global Jobs – The Urgency of Brazilian Positioning

The global landscape of artificial intelligence is changing at an impressive rate. According to recent UN data, we are on the verge of a revolution in the job market that will require urgent action, especially from countries like Brazil that still seem to have not fully woken up to this scenario. Over the past 24 hours, the news has given us several clear signs that we need to accelerate our strategic positioning as a nation.

UN warns: 40% of global jobs will be impacted by AI

The most shocking data of the last few hours comes directly from the United Nations. AI could affect 40% of jobs worldwide, with the global artificial intelligence market projected to reach an impressive milestone of US$ 4.8 trillion (approximately R$ 26.8 trillion) by 2033, second report released by the UN.

This massive impact presents an interesting paradox: while AI promises significant productivity gains, it also threatens to widen existing inequalities. UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development) emphasizes that advanced economies are best positioned to reap the benefits of this technology, while developing countries may end up falling behind.

The report underscores something I have been advocating for years in my speaking and mentoring: the urgent need for international cooperation to ensure that AI promotes inclusive human development, and not just the profits of a few corporations and already privileged nations.

The global mobilization in AI: a race in which Brazil is behind

While many countries have already understood that AI is a general-purpose technology, with a profound and transversal impact on the economy, culture and society, Brazil still seems to have not fully woken up to this reality. According to article published in Folha de S.Paulo, we are observing an intense international mobilization:

• France has announced an investment of US$1.4 billion to boost projects in the area, including the construction of Europe's largest data center.
• The UK has launched an Action Plan for AI Opportunities, with an estimated investment of US$1.4 billion
• China releases Blueprint for Building a Strong Education Nation with guidelines through 2035

Meanwhile, Brazil remains timid in its approach. This timidity is not only worrying; it is potentially devastating for our economic and social future.

The Brazilian paradox: leader in research, laggard in application

Brazil presents an interesting paradox in the AI scenario. According to report by Agência Brasil, we are leaders in the ranking of publications on Artificial Intelligence in Latin America, but we have fallen to 20th place in the world ranking.

Our country has 144 AI research units, with great potential for initiatives in life sciences, energy and agriculture. However, the big challenge remains to transform this knowledge into commercial technological applications.

In my career supporting thousands of startups, I have seen this scenario up close. We have extraordinary talent, but we lack a structure that effectively connects academic research with the market. This is one of the areas where my mentoring has been able to create important bridges, helping entrepreneurs navigate this complex ecosystem.

Microsoft: 50 years and a future focused on AI

As we debate our national position, tech giants continue to make strides. Microsoft, which turned 50 on April 4, is determined to cement its leadership in the world of AI. After an initial investment of $13 billion in OpenAI, the company saw its market value increase significantly by integrating ChatGPT with Bing.

Even more impressive, according to report from Estadão, Microsoft now plans to build its own chips to deliver AI, signaling that it doesn't want to rely on third parties to dominate this market.

The message is clear: companies that do not adapt quickly to this new reality will be left behind. The same goes for countries.

Practical Applications: When AI Meets Social Purpose

It’s not all worrying news. An inspiring example comes from USP, where a professor diagnosed with autism developed AI tools that use facial pattern recognition and brain signal analysis to diagnose children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

According to the Brazilian Post Office, the work seeks to ensure accurate diagnosis and speed in processes, essential for children who are often not diagnosed in childhood.

This is exactly the kind of application I advocate: technology with a clear social purpose. In my entrepreneurial journey, I have always sought to support initiatives that not only create economic value, but also positive social impact. This is the path to a truly Brazilian AI – one that solves our specific problems and creates opportunities aligned with our needs.

The Cultural Controversy: AI and Questions of Digital Colonialism

AI is also raising important cultural issues. An interesting debate has emerged around generative AI tools that turn selfies into anime drawings. According to report from Brasil de Fato, this generated heated discussions about implications for culture, sustainability and issues of digital colonialism.

These discussions raise the need for greater awareness and action in the face of the waste of resources and the extraction of cultural value from people in the Global South. As someone who has always advocated for diversity and inclusion in the innovation ecosystem, I see these issues as fundamental to building a more equitable and representative technological future.

The future of work: how can we prepare?

Faced with this scenario of profound transformations, the question many ask is: how can we prepare ourselves? According to CNN Brazil report, researchers are concerned about the negative impact of AI on essential human skills such as empathy and decision-making.

On the other hand, we must not lose sight of the possibility of creating new types of work. Technological dependence raises questions about polarization and social inequality that AI can perpetuate.

In my talks about the future of work, I have highlighted the concept of CACACA – an acronym I created to describe the six main skills needed by the workers of the future: Creativity and Autonomy; Collaboration and Adaptability; Connection and Affection. It is precisely these fundamentally human skills that will differentiate us from machines and algorithms.

What can we do as a country?

Given this scenario, the question remains: what can we do as a nation to avoid falling behind? In my view, we need a three-tiered approach:

1. Structuring public policies

We need a national AI strategy that goes beyond generic documents and guidelines. This includes:

• Significant investments in data and computing infrastructure
• Clear regulatory frameworks that ensure safe innovation
• Tax incentives for companies that develop and implement AI solutions
• Large-scale training programs, from basic education to advanced training

2. Strengthened innovation ecosystem

Brazil already has a vibrant startup ecosystem, but we need to:

• Strengthening the connection between academia and the market
• Increasing the amount of venture capital available to AI startups
• Create specific acceleration programs for deep tech startups
• Foster strategic international partnerships

3. Transformation in business mindset

Brazilian companies need to see AI not as a threat, but as a competitive opportunity:

• Invest in internal training
• Experiment and implement AI solutions in critical processes
• Develop a robust data culture
• Seek partnerships with startups and research centers

Conclusion: the time is now

The data and trends from the past 24 hours reinforce what I’ve been saying for years: we’re living at a defining moment in the history of technology and work. AI isn’t just another incremental innovation – it’s a general-purpose technology that’s fundamentally reshaping how we live, work, and interact.

Brazil has all the ingredients to be a protagonist in this scenario: extraordinary talent, a relevant domestic market and creativity that is recognized worldwide. What we lack is an integrated strategic vision and the courage to make bold bets.

In my mentoring and consulting activities, I have helped companies navigate this transformation by identifying concrete opportunities and building internal capabilities. The window of opportunity is open, but it will not remain so for long. The time to act is now.

As the poet Mayakovsky would say: “We are not happy, it is true, but why should we be sad? The sea of history is rough. We will cross threats and wars, break them in half, cutting them like a keel cuts.” And so we will do with AI – not as spectators, but as protagonists of this future that has already begun.