The global race for artificial intelligence is not just about who builds the most powerful models but about who can keep the minds behind them. The competition for AI talent has reached new heights, with data showing this war is already worth billions.
In Brazil, the share of mergers and acquisitions involving artificial intelligence nearly quintupled in 2024, rising from 5% of total transactions in 2023 to 23% last year, according to a survey by the BZCP office that analyzed 70 deals valued between $9 million and $90 million. This movement signals a return to growth after the index stabilized at 13% between 2021 and 2022, clearly indicating that “brain buying” has become a key part of corporate expansion strategies.
A rapidly evolving ecosystem drives this trend. A study by Amazon Web Services (AWS) shows that 53% of Brazilian startups already incorporate AI into their operations, while 31% are developing new products based on the technology. The same survey reveals that 78% believe artificial intelligence will transform their sectors within the next five years.
However, this race faces a growing obstacle—the shortage of specialists. A global survey by Bain & Company, conducted with business leaders from five countries, indicates that 44% report the lack of internal expertise already delaying AI adoption in their companies. In Brazil, 39% of tech executives affirm the same challenge in 2025, up from 25% in 2024. The direct result is higher salaries and increased turnover. The demand for AI professionals is growing 21% annually, driving up compensation and making retaining talent a competitive advantage.
The recent episode involving Meta, which tried to attract engineers from rivals like OpenAI and Anthropic even after offering multi-million dollar packages, exemplifies this. It demonstrates that loyalty in technology cannot be bought; it must be earned. Tiered bonuses, golden handcuffs, and extended vesting plans help retain talent, but the true drivers are purpose and intellectual prestige.
More than figures, what retains AI professionals is the feeling of shaping the future. Companies that understand this foster cultures of continuous learning, creative freedom, and meaningful impact—attributes worth more than any bonus package. In this context, the competitive edge is no longer the source code but who writes the code.
In a world where data is a commodity and models can be replicated, intellectual capital has become the most scarce and strategic asset of the 21st century. Perhaps, the question that will define the next decade is not how much a startup is worth, but how much its creators are worth.
João Eliezer Cunha Guimarães
Founding Partner of Camaya Partners
