Open a company’s toolbox in Portugal today, and there’s a good chance AI is in it. Even so, most firms are only using the simplest tools. A new study shows AI adoption in Portuguese business has reached 51%, yet only 16% of companies use it in an advanced way. The study, “Unlocking the Potential of AI in Portugal 2026,” was carried out by Strand Partners for Amazon Web Services.
Growth with a catch
The 51% figure is a 24% increase on the previous year. Among companies that use AI, 80% report productivity gains and 85% expect it to drive growth over the next year. That sounds like a success story, and in part it is.
The catch is depth. Only 16% have reached an advanced level, using many models or agentic systems. Most (58%) still rely on introductory applications such as conversational assistants and daily task automation. That share is down from 65% last year, so there’s progress, but a gap remains compared with the pace of innovation.
Ready for the next wave?
The report adds that only 14% of companies feel prepared for next-generation technologies like autonomous systems and robotics. Startups feel somewhat better, with 38% saying they have the capacity to respond. André Rodrigues, AWS director in Portugal, says the country has built the conditions to become a benchmark, but initial adoption now has to become a structural advantage. AWS plans to help through a future European Sovereign Cloud Local Zone in Lisbon and training programs. For people building skills in this area, software development jobs tied to AI are likely to keep growing.
What holds companies back
Skills top the list of barriers: 45% of companies name the shortage of tech skills, and 91% expect those skills to be crucial within five years. Money and rules matter too. More than half of organizations (54%) have no dedicated AI budget, and 43% of technology investment in Portuguese companies goes to regulatory compliance.
Startups eye the exit
Portuguese startups are good at experimenting but struggle to scale. About 42% would consider leaving Europe in search of capital, talent and a more agile regulatory setting. Many would stay if financing were easier (56%) or rules clearer (47%).
Examples that show the potential
Some local players are already operating at scale. OutSystems has built more than 19,000 AI agents through Amazon Bedrock, and Credibom created a central generative AI platform with around 30 practical use cases in operations and HR. If you want to see how other technology companies handle the shift from basic to advanced use, these two are worth studying.
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