AI Use Grows in Brazil as Workers Hide Tools and Report Rising Mental Strain

Overview

• Datafolha's June 17–18 survey found workplace AI use rose from 17% to 24% while the share of Brazilians fearing job loss to AI fell from 56% to 48%.
• A Wellhub study reported on June 27 found only about 7% of firms have scaled AI for the whole workforce while 78% of professionals use personal AI tools at work and 52% hesitate to disclose that use.
• Harvard Business Review’s analysis of a BCG survey showed tasks requiring high supervision of AI increased mental effort by 14% and fatigue by 12%, while automating repetitive tasks reduced burnout.
• Banks, telecoms, device makers and schools are bundling paid AI access into customer plans or devices, with examples including Nubank, Itaú, Vivo, Claro, Samsung, Unisuam, Insper and Cogna.
• China announced a five‑year plan on June 29 to teach AI skills across all education levels, a policy move that signals growing state efforts to shape workforce readiness and regulate AI’s social impacts.