October 21, 2026
88% of Brazilian Companies Don't Know the Financial Return on AI
80% of Brazilian companies use or test AI, but 88% don't know the return. Only 8% integrate it into their ERP, the most decisive factor according to the study.
80% of Brazilian companies test or use AI in some way, but 88% don't know what financial return AI brings. These are answers to different questions in the same MIT SMR Brasil study, commissioned by TOTVS and conducted by CNEX with 583 professionals from companies of various sizes, which is why the total exceeds 100%.
With 80% testing or using it, AI seems to already be part of the company. Is it? Only 7% bring it to the core of the business and 86% don't measure how much they spend on it. Just 8% integrate AI broadly into their management systems (ERP), a factor the study points to as the most decisive for success. Alex Meincheim, CEO of UpFlux, a TOTVS partner, told Times Brasil, during Universo TOTVS, that in most companies AI is still at the individual level.
The gain at the individual level belongs to whoever uses it, in tasks like writing an email or building a presentation. At the company level, it shows up in an operational number, like the procurement savings Meincheim gave as an example. With 88% not knowing the return, it's worth tying each use of AI to an operational number, so the gain starts to show up in the company's numbers.
Sources: Forbes Brasil · Times Brasil (CNBC exclusive licensee)