OpenAI Expands to Brazil

OpenAI is deepening its engagement in Brazil with the launch of commercial operations, establishing a base in São Paulo. This move signals a significant long-term investment aimed at translating the country's rapid AI adoption into broad economic and social progress.

Brazil stands as one of ChatGPT's top three global markets by weekly active users. The platform sees approximately 215 million messages daily from the country, with user numbers nearly doubling in the past year alone.

"The most exciting part isn’t just the scale of adoption. It’s the creativity and the energy behind it," stated Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. "Brazil has an extraordinary community of entrepreneurs, businesses and developers that are finding distinct ways to put AI to work and building in Brazil for Brazil."

Economic Potential and Shifting Usage

AI holds substantial economic promise for Brazil. An independent study funded by OpenAI estimates that AI could contribute nearly R$1 trillion to the Brazilian economy by 2030. Realizing this potential requires more than just technology access; it also demands skills development, research, and responsible deployment strategies.

Brazilians are increasingly moving AI from experimentation to daily work. In June 2026, 35% of classified messages from individual ChatGPT accounts in Brazil were work-related, surpassing the global average of 30%. Of these work-related interactions, over half involved tasks like drafting proposals, analyzing data, writing code, or creating marketing materials.

This shift is exemplified by individuals like jewelry designer Lina Prades, who leveraged ChatGPT to manage inventory, pricing, and production, even building management apps. Ariane Santos of Tapioca da Ari uses the tool to refine recipes and enhance customer communication for her food business.

Developer Ecosystem and Enterprise Adoption

Brazil's developer community is a major driver of AI innovation. The country ranks second globally for developers using the OpenAI API and is the largest market in Latin America for Codex. Weekly Codex users in Brazil have surged more than elevenfold since early 2026.

Enterprise adoption is also accelerating. ChatGPT Enterprise seats in Brazil have increased fivefold year-over-year, positioning Brazil among OpenAI's top ten markets for business customers. For context, OpenAI itself boasts a high StartupHub score of 86/100, reflecting its market leadership.

Collaboration and Local Impact

OpenAI's local São Paulo team will focus on identifying use cases, upskilling workforces, establishing governance, and scaling successful AI implementations across sectors like financial services, commerce, and software development.

Key initiatives include providing ChatGPT Edu accounts and advanced capabilities to students and faculty at the Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA). OpenAI is also supporting research at the Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (IMPA) and clinical infrastructure evaluation at the Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP).

A national AI literacy program for legal professionals is being developed with ENTER, a Brazilian AI firm. Additionally, a free, mobile-first AI training program for micro and small business owners is underway with Estímulo. OpenAI has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the city of São Paulo to explore AI applications for public services.

Building with the Brazilian Community

OpenAI recently hosted its first "OpenAI para Devs" roadshow across four Brazilian cities, engaging 285 developers and founders. The event, conducted in Portuguese, featured technical workshops and discussions on developer needs.

The roadshow culminated in the OpenAI Hackathon Brasil, where developers used Codex to create solutions for local challenges. The winning project was a prototype designed to help small businesses navigate public procurement opportunities.

Brazil leads globally in ChatGPT Images use and ranks among the top five markets for voice and dictation features. This creative application of AI was highlighted in a collaboration with iconic artist Alcione, who explored ChatGPT Voice in a conversation about love.

OpenAI's Creators Day in São Paulo further underscored this commitment to a two-way exchange, learning from and supporting Brazil's vibrant creator community. Artists like Dell Nunes and Paulo Aguiar are pushing creative boundaries with AI, demonstrating how local cultural contexts can shape AI's future.

The launch of commercial operations marks a new phase for OpenAI in Brazil. The company aims to foster learning and collaboration, helping the nation harness AI for enhanced products, stronger businesses, and broader opportunities.