Portugal’s AI Boom Eases Daily Tasks but Exposes Skill Shortage
Portugal’s daily routine has shifted quietly but decisively. From the moment commuters open a navigation app to the instant office workers ask a chatbot to translate an email, artificial intelligence now hums in the background of almost every task. Surveys released this year suggest that enthusiasm still outpaces apprehension, yet the country is entering a more mature phase—one that mixes optimism about economic windfalls with sharper questions around training, bias and regulation.
Everyday convenience, Portuguese-style
When Netsonda asked 800 adults how they feel about inteligência artificial, nearly 9 in 10 said it makes life easier, citing faster information searches, traffic-aware routing, voice assistants and time-saving automation. Only 8% notice no impact at all, while 11% claim AI complicates matters, usually because it feels impersonal, can be misleading or appears to erode human judgement.A follow-up poll for DE-CIX this spring found that 99% have at least heard of AI, though almost a third still struggle to define it precisely—a sign that usage is running ahead of technical understanding. Even so, 76% have already tried an AI tool, and among young adults that figure jumps to 93%.
Classrooms and keyboards: the skills gap widens
Students and recent graduates are the keenest adopters. Netsonda reports that 42% of 18-24-year-olds have experimented with AI-based educational apps, and 57% are “very satisfied” with the results. Portuguese professionals, too, indicate strong take-up: the EY European AI Barometer places Portugal near the top in Europe, with 83% of workers using AI in some capacity.Yet the same EY study warns that only 24% feel their employer offers adequate training. Government officials hope the coming Agenda Nacional de Inteligência Artificial will close that gap by funding teacher retraining, seeding coding labs in public schools and weaving AI literacy into the core curriculum. Until then, private schemes such as IMPULSO IA and Experience AI are trying to plug the holes, targeting everyone from call-centre agents to secondary-school pupils.
Hospitals torn between speed and safety
Healthcare is the sector most frequently flagged as high-risk under the new EU AI Act, and Portuguese citizens appear to sense the tension. Two-thirds believe smart software can cut waiting times and slash paperwork, but comfort levels drop when algorithms move from back-office duties to diagnoses or treatment plans. Exactly half say they are at ease with that prospect, with men (55%) more relaxed than women (46%).Supporters point to AI’s knack for rapid data analysis and continuous monitoring of vital signs. Skeptics worry about diagnostic errors, the potential for opaque decision-making and the difficulty of assigning legal responsibility if something goes wrong. The Ministry of Health’s February white paper echoes those concerns, calling for human oversight by default and post-market audits of any system deployed in the National Health Service.
Billions on the table—but not in every sector
Forecasts commissioned by Google and AWS suggest that generative AI could add €18-22 B to GDP over the coming decade, provided adoption keeps pace with European rivals. Delay that rollout by five years and the gain shrinks to €3-5 B. Manufacturing may see a relatively modest bump—about €2.5 B in additional value—whereas retail, tourism and transport together could reap €5 B. Public administration is another standout: think chatbots for licensing, predictive analytics for social services and smart procurement, all told worth up to €4 B.The hurdle is uneven uptake. Large corporations report AI usage rates near 35%, yet only 7% of SMEs do the same. Concerns over cyber-security and return on investment keep many smaller firms on the sidelines, even as state-backed funds and AICEP incentive packages try to coax them forward.
Brussels writes the rules, Lisbon adapts
Since the EU AI Act entered into force last year, Brussels has moved quickly to publish codes of conduct, define high-risk categories and outlaw practices such as emotion recognition in classrooms. Lisbon, for its part, is mapping those provisions onto national priorities via the Agenda Nacional de IA and sector-specific guidelines from bodies like SPMS in health.The new regime insists on risk management plans, traceable datasets and undeniable human oversight for any tool that could affect access to education, medical care or public benefits. While start-ups complain about compliance costs, consumer advocates applaud what they call a “digital seatbelt” for citizens.
Where the conversation heads next
Academics such as Gonçalo Diniz and the APDSI Ethics group argue that Portugal must go beyond legal minimums to root out algorithmic bias and prevent de-humanisation. They point to the upcoming ETHICOMP 2025 conference in Lisbon as an opportunity to forge a distinctly Lusophone perspective on responsible tech.For the average Portuguese, however, the debate is far more prosaic: will the next transport app shave five minutes off the commute, will the school portal finally translate homework instructions correctly, and will the health centre’s chatbot shorten another interminable phone queue? If the latest polling is any guide, most believe the answer is yes—provided the country can match its early enthusiasm with skills, safeguards and a clear economic plan.