Today is the best opportunity for AI in small and midsize companies
IDC, commissioned by Dell, surveyed 250 organizations in Brazil: 57% have moved past testing and scaled AI in their operations. Among small and midsize businesses, only 42% use the technology across several areas, against 72% of large companies. That gap, today, is the best opportunity.
Data was collected in September and October 2026. Within 24 months, the study projects use across several areas reaching 86% at large companies and only 46% at small and midsize ones. The distance grows. Those who move in now still find room; those who wait find the same gap, only larger. On the survey average, over the same period, AI's share of the technology budget should go from 28% to 42%. You can spend more and stay in the same position, so the moment calls for a choice, not just budget.
I'd start with a process that already has a number. It could be response time in customer service or rework on orders. After 30 days with AI in the middle, I'd run the numbers again. With organized data, you can expand with confidence. Without it, the risk is inflating the bill and missing the opportunity.
The study was presented at Dell Technologies Forum Brasil, on Thursday (Nov 5), in São Paulo. It was commissioned by a company that sells infrastructure, and the breakdown by company size still holds. The official IDC or Dell PDF was not found in this check. Which of your processes has a clear number to start with now?
Sources
TI Inside, 9 Nov 2026. https://tiinside.com.br/09/11/2026/com-57-das-empresas-escalando-ia-no-brasil-foco-migra-do-software-para-infraestrutura-e-controle-de-custos/
Época Negócios, 5 Nov 2026, Rennan Julio. https://epocanegocios.globo.com/inteligencia-artificial/noticia/2026/11/pesquisa-idc-mais-da-metade-das-empresas-brasileiras-ja-usa-ia-em-escala-mas-custos-e-seguranca-preocupam.ghtml
Inforchannel, 6 Nov 2026. https://inforchannel.com.br/2026/11/06/mais-da-metade-das-empresas-no-brasil-ja-escalou-a-ia-em-suas-operacoes-diz-dell-technologies/