Latin America: The Rising Hub for AI Developer Talent
As tech companies increasingly mandate in-office work, a significant shift is emerging in where they source developer talent. A growing number of organizations are turning to Latin America, particularly for expertise in post-training AI models.
Surge in Demand for AI Expertise
Revelo, a platform dedicated to connecting U.S. companies with vetted Latin American developers, is experiencing heightened demand for engineers skilled in Large Language Model (LLM) training. Lucas Mendes, co-founder and CEO of Revelo, noted that this growing interest is attributed to the evolving phase of AI development, particularly in fine-tuning human-centric data for LLMs.
“There’s a race for data, and especially expert human data, that can actually help LLMs be better at very specific high-value tasks,” said Mendes.
He further elaborated that coding is increasingly viewed as a high-value task, and many companies are now seeking specialized engineers to improve the efficiency of their AI systems. In fact, hires related to LLM training accounted for 22% of Revelo’s revenue in 2024.
Who is Hiring?
Revelo has successfully partnered with major U.S. enterprises, including Intuit, Oracle, and Dell, alongside numerous significant AI providers. This trend isn’t unique to Revelo; other platforms such as Terminal, Tecla, and Near are also facilitating connections between U.S. companies and Latin American developers.
The Evolution of Remote Work
Since its inception in 2014, Revelo has capitalized on the ongoing war for tech talent. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated its growth, leading many U.S. firms to discover the benefits of high-caliber distributed teams located in Latin America. Mendes pointed out that once companies had positive experiences with a few hires, they often sought to expand their teams further.
“All of a sudden we started getting inbound from U.S. companies who suddenly realized that you can actually have really high-quality distributed teams,” Mendes explained.
Nearshoring vs. Offshoring
While many sectors are urging a return to traditional work environments, Mendes asserts that the demand for Latin American engineers remains robust. He believes that the geographical proximity and similar time zones make nearshoring a more attractive option compared to traditional offshoring.
Strategic Acquisitions and Future Plans
Revelo’s momentum has led to the acquisition of five competitors in the past two and a half years, reinforcing its position in the market. According to Mendes:
“We’re building that global talent backbone for the age of AI and there will be more acquisitions in the future.”
Conclusion
The shift in hiring trends towards Latin America underscores the importance of adapting to the needs of a rapidly evolving tech landscape. As U.S. companies continue to seek highly skilled developers, platforms like Revelo are pivotal in bridging the gap between talent and opportunity.