In this episode of The Nearshore Café Podcast, host Brian Samson sits down with AI and nearshoring expert Tony Teshara to explore how Latin America is transforming AI development. As U.S. companies struggle with skyrocketing salaries for AI engineers, nearshore talent from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico is becoming an attractive solution. The conversation breaks down the cost, talent availability, and strategic advantages of hiring AI specialists in Latin America and how companies can seamlessly integrate them into their tech teams.
The episode kicks off with a deep dive into AI talent acquisition trends. As AI-driven solutions expand across industries, startups and enterprises alike are competing for top engineers. With U.S. salaries reaching all-time highs, companies are turning to Latin America for highly skilled AI talent that offers both expertise and cost savings.
Tony explains that nearshoring AI development isn’t just about lowering costs—it’s about scaling teams efficiently without compromising on skill or innovation. Companies leveraging AI engineers from Latin America can maintain real-time collaboration thanks to overlapping time zones, ensuring seamless integration with U.S. teams.
A key focus of the episode is how companies should view and integrate nearshore AI developers. Tony emphasizes that treating nearshore professionals as core team members—not just outsourced workers—is crucial for long-term success.
Key insights from the discussion include:
✅ Collaboration is key – AI engineers from Latin America thrive when included in the full development cycle, not just isolated tasks.
✅ Soft skills matter – Adaptability, problem-solving, and communication are just as valuable as technical expertise.
✅ Onboarding strategies – Structured processes help Latin American developers align with business goals and company culture.
By embracing a partnership mindset, companies can unlock the full potential of nearshore AI teams, driving both efficiency and innovation.
The conversation shifts to Latin America’s growing AI and tech ecosystems, with a spotlight on Brazil. Cities like Florianopolis, São Paulo, and Rio de Janeiro are emerging as some of the strongest AI and tech hubs in the region. Often called the “Silicon Valley of Brazil,” these cities are home to highly trained professionals specializing in machine learning, data science, and AI development.
Why does this matter for U.S. companies?
🔹 Proximity to the U.S. – Same or similar time zones enable real-time collaboration.
🔹 Skilled AI professionals – A rising number of AI engineers are being trained at top universities in Latin America.
🔹 Balanced costs – While not as cheap as offshore options like India or the Philippines, Latin America provides a cost-effective balance with higher cultural alignment.
As AI adoption grows, Latin America is positioning itself as a major player in the global AI talent market—and companies that recognize this shift early will gain a competitive edge.
A common hesitation among companies considering nearshore AI talent is language barriers and communication skills. Tony and Brian tackle this misconception head-on, explaining that while accents may exist, most AI engineers in Latin America have strong English proficiency and are well-versed in working with global teams.
The key to success?
🔹 Clear onboarding processes – Ensuring that expectations, tools, and workflows are aligned from the start.
🔹 Ongoing team integration – Treating nearshore engineers as long-term team members, not temporary hires.
🔹 Strategic hiring – Partnering with the right nearshore provider to find talent that fits both skill and company culture.
By focusing on the real value these AI professionals bring, companies can overcome misconceptions and build world-class nearshore teams.
The episode wraps up with an important takeaway: AI is evolving rapidly, and companies that fail to scale their AI teams effectively will fall behind. Nearshoring AI development to Latin America presents a unique opportunity to access top-tier talent at a fraction of the cost, while still maintaining high-quality work and cultural alignment.
Tony’s key insights:
✔️ AI nearshoring isn’t just about cost savings—it’s about access to global expertise.
✔️ Latin America is home to some of the best AI engineers in the world.
✔️ Companies that embrace nearshore AI talent gain a strategic advantage in innovation, scalability, and cost efficiency.
Want to explore how nearshore AI developers from Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico can transform your business? Plugg Technologies specializes in matching U.S. companies with top AI talent, ensuring seamless integration and long-term success.
📩 Contact us today to discover your AI nearshoring advantage!
✔️ Subscribe to The Nearshore Café Podcast for expert insights
✔️ Share with industry peers exploring AI and nearshoring strategies
✔️ Listen on:
🔗 Spotify
🔗 YouTube
©2025 Plugg Technologies. All Rights Reserved
