Brazilian Regions Launch AI Initiatives to Empower Small Businesses
New AI projects in Brasília and Paraná are equipping small businesses with training and resources to improve competitiveness and technology adoption.
- • IA for Business project launched in Brasília offering AI training to entrepreneurs in Sobradinho and Paranoá from January to March 2026.
- • Sebrae Paraná released a free guide highlighting 10 AI trends for small businesses, including sentiment analysis and transparency tips.
- • 80% of Brazilian entrepreneurs plan to use more digital technologies soon, while 60% express concerns about AI use.
- • The initiatives focus on democratizing AI access and fostering practical skills to boost productivity and competitiveness.
Key details
On January 10, 2026, two significant AI-focused initiatives were launched in Brazil's Brasília and Paraná regions, aimed at supporting small businesses through enhanced access to artificial intelligence technologies and training.
In Brasília, the "IA for Business" project was unveiled during an event at the city’s Planetarium. This collaboration between the Secretary of Science, Technology, and Innovation (Secti-DF) and Instituto Sarando as Nações seeks to democratize AI access among local entrepreneurs, professionals, and students. Training sessions are scheduled from January to March 2026, focusing on Sobradinho and Paranoá regions. The program offers practical, ethical, and strategic AI training to optimize business processes and boost competitiveness, even for those without prior technical knowledge. Leandro Reis, acting secretary of Secti-DF, emphasized the importance of reducing technological barriers and providing direct support to entrepreneurship, stating, "Democratizing access to technological tools and technical knowledge is one of the priority guidelines of the Government of the Federal District. This creates real opportunities for our youth in the digital economy."
Meanwhile, Sebrae Paraná launched a free "Guide of Trends – Special Artificial Intelligence" to assist small enterprises in navigating AI innovations. The guide presents ten market trends illustrated with success stories, aiming to enhance productivity and decision-making for entrepreneurs. Notably, 80% of Brazilian entrepreneurs plan to increase their use of digital technologies within six months, though 60% remain cautious about AI applications. The guide highlights sentiment analysis as a key AI application to decode customer profiles and improve marketing strategies, emphasizing transparency to build consumer trust. Bianca Scharneski, Sebrae/PR consultant, remarked that despite rapid technological changes, consumer behavior remains steady over long periods, offering entrepreneurs chances to strengthen competitiveness. An example in Toledo, Paraná, is the small enterprise I.PRO, which leveraged AI tools from the guide to improve talent management.
These regional initiatives reflect Brazil's commitment to integrating AI into the small business sector, providing resources and training to ensure that local entrepreneurs can adapt effectively to a transforming market landscape.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
