In Brazil, discussions around artificial intelligence (AI) are growing, with leadership emphasizing the technology's potential to create historic opportunities. From enhancing healthcare access in remote areas to supporting teachers in underfunded public schools and boosting smallholder farmers' productivity, AI is heralded as a tool that could transform many sectors positively. However, there is also a stark warning about its darker implications, as AI risks displacing workers in call centers, transportation, and service industries at a pace that outstrips the development of re-skilling policies. The Brazilian AI strategy, while well-intentioned, faces a significant challenge: it must address the rapid pace at which AI is evolving, contrasting sharply with government planning processes. As AI technologies proliferate at a speed akin to that of Silicon Valley and Shenzhen, the discrepancy between these fast-evolving technologies and slower bureaucratic responses could deepen existing inequalities. Brazilian leaders must not only recognize AI's promise but also the urgent need to mitigate its negative effects on the workforce. Brazil has a strong foundation to build upon with its young and connected population, as well as a burgeoning tech ecosystem. The contrast between the potential of AI to uplift various sectors and the threat it poses to job security highlights the need for comprehensive strategies that balance innovation with social responsibility. Policymakers are called to act swiftly and effectively to harness the benefits of AI while preparing citizens for the transformations ahead, ensuring that Brazil does not fall behind in this global technological revolution.