Brazilian Financial Institutions Lead AI Adoption but Strategic Use Remains Limited

A recent survey by the Brazilian Association of Financial and Capital Markets Entities (Anbima) reveals that an overwhelming 92% of Brazilian financial institutions have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. However, only 6% have transformed their business models through AI, indicating a gap between adoption and strategic innovation.

Conducted between January and April 2026 with 177 institutions and supported by Datafolha, the study highlights that 84% of institutions have engaged in AI projects this past year, mainly focusing on exploratory phases (69%) and training content (65%). The primary applications of AI are for operational efficiency, with 74% of institutions applying it in back-office tasks, 56% in investment analysis, and 44% in regulatory compliance. Benefits cited include productivity gains (80%), task automation (75%), and enhanced decision-making (57%). Yet, only 17% are harnessing AI to develop new products or services, and just 14% recognize a competitive advantage stemming from its use.

Despite almost all institutions (93%) acknowledging AI's business value, only 15% systematically measure its impact. The barriers to adoption are not significant for most, with 54% reporting no major obstacles. When challenges arise, they relate more to knowledge deficits and skepticism than fears over job replacement. Training remains underdeveloped, with only 13% having robust AI training strategies, pinpointing skill development as a critical need to fully realize AI’s potential in the financial sector.

Complementing this AI momentum, BeFly launched FlyLake, a corporate data platform to centralize and govern company data within a single environment. This platform accelerates access to strategic indicators, enabling directors and executives to make faster, more reliable decisions across commercial, financial, and operational areas. Sylvio Ferraz, BeFly's Vice President, emphasized the strategic nature of data investment: "Investing in data has always been a strategic choice for BeFly, and FlyLake represents the evolution of this journey."

FlyLake reduces dependency on specialized teams by quickly consolidating data, improving consistency and governance. Vitor Megale, Director of Products and Pricing, noted the platform's impact: "It allows real-time data analysis during meetings, shifting focus from just finding numbers to making quicker and more secure decisions."

These advancements illustrate Brazil’s financial sector embracing AI and data integration technologies to drive efficiency, even as strategic usage and training lag. Ongoing improvements in these areas will likely shape the next phase of innovation and competitive positioning in the coming years.