An investigation conducted by the Pew Research Center showed that most Brazilians are more apprehensive than enthusiastic about the development of artificial intelligence (AI), with 52% expressing concern. This figure exceeds the global average of 37%, highlighting the degree of apprehension regarding technological impacts in the country.
The fear is prominently manifested in the professional sphere. Many Brazilian citizens anticipate that the expansion of AI will result in a decrease in job opportunities over the next two decades. Specifically, 42% of Brazilians believe that artificial intelligence will cause a reduction in the number of jobs in the next 20 years.
In contrast, 13% expect an increase in job openings, while 34% stated they had no defined opinion or did not know about the subject. This expectation of job contraction is observed in most nations examined; in 34 out of 37 countries and territories analyzed, more people predict a decline than an increase in the job market.
When analyzing by income brackets, the median of those expecting job cuts is 36% among middle-income countries and reaches 55% in high-income countries.
Growing Concern Among Young People
Among Brazilians aged between 18 and 34, concern about AI intensified in one year. In 2025, 32% of this age group reported feeling more worried than excited about artificial intelligence, but this percentage rose to 44% in 2026, representing an increase of 12 percentage points.
This apprehension is also notable among young people in other nations. In the United States, 74% of respondents aged 18 to 34 believe that AI will lead to job reductions. The figures are 69% in Canada, 66% in France, and 63% in Sweden.
Despite the anxiety, a significant portion of the Brazilian population demonstrates low knowledge about the topic: 27% state they have never read or heard about artificial intelligence. Additionally, 42% report having some contact, and 31% indicate they have informed themselves extensively about the subject.
The group that is highly informed about AI grew from 22% in 2025 to 31% in 2026. The median for this informed group is 27% in middle-income countries.
Impact of AI on Economic Inequality
The survey also investigated Brazilians' perception of how AI will affect economic disparity. For 24% of respondents, the technology will accentuate inequality over the next 20 years, while 35% believe it will not have a relevant impact on this matter.
In high-income countries, the median of those expecting an increase in inequality is 35%, compared to 22% in middle-income countries.
The data collected indicates that the main source of concern in Brazil related to artificial intelligence lies in the future of work, although a considerable part of the population still has little or no familiarity with information about this technology.