Artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven decision-making are no longer optional for modern, tech-driven organizations. Companies that leverage data effectively gain a competitive edge in product innovation, customer personalization, and operational efficiency. Yet finding and hiring the right AI experts is increasingly challenging.

A Simplilearn study reports a 28 % annual growth rate in demand for data-science roles, expecting 11.5 million new jobs by 2026 . With such explosive growth, it’s no surprise that employers across North America face fierce competition for specialists who can build machine-learning models, manage pipelines, and turn data into actionable insights.

Why Data & AI Expertise Matters in 2025

AI adoption has accelerated rapidly, powering everything from automated recommendation engines to sophisticated generative models. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 36 % increase in data-scientist positions between 2023 and 2033, making it one of the fastest-growing occupations.

Organizations that invest in AI development can reduce costs, make smarter decisions, and create intelligent products that adapt to customer behavior. But without the right AI professionals—engineers, data scientists, and MLOps specialists—these benefits remain out of reach.

Understanding the Talent Landscape

The remote-work revolution has fundamentally changed how companies source AI and data talent. Revelo’s Remote Hiring Maturity in US Tech report shows that 74 % of tech teams already hire remotely, with another 7 % planning to do so soon.

Additionally, a Robert Half survey notes that only 19 % of professionals prefer full-time office work, while 50 % favor hybrid and 25 % prefer fully remote roles.

This means that top AI developers and machine learning engineers expect flexibility—and are willing to work for companies that embrace remote or hybrid models.

Amid this global competition, Latin America (LATAM) has emerged as a thriving source of AI talent. According to the main staffing agencies in the region, the remote-work boom has enabled LATAM professionals to participate in global projects without relocating

TechWaveHires estimates that over 20,000 engineers join the LATAM workforce each year, and that the region offers roughly three times the availability of qualified candidates compared with U.S. markets.

Time-zone alignment, strong technical education, and competitive compensation make LATAM an ideal region for companies looking to hire AI engineers or remote AI developers efficiently.

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Defining the Role & Skills Needed

Before launching your search, clearly define what kind of AI expert your team needs:

• AI Engineer: Designs, builds, and optimizes machine-learning models for scalable systems.
• Data Scientist: Analyzes complex datasets, applies predictive modeling, and generates business insights.
• Machine Learning Engineer: Bridges data science and software engineering to deploy models into production.
• Data Engineer: Develops robust data pipelines and ensures data quality and accessibility.
• MLOps / DevOps Engineer: Oversees automation, monitoring, and continuous integration for ML workflows.

Key Skills and Tools

Core technical skills include Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, SQL, Spark, AWS, and Google Cloud AI tools.

Soft skills—communication, analytical thinking, and the ability to explain complex systems—are equally vital.

In a nearshore environment, bilingual communication (English/Spanish or English/Portuguese) and cultural adaptability improve collaboration between distributed teams.

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What Makes a Great AI Expert?

Top-tier AI professionals combine technical mastery with curiosity, creativity, and ethical awareness. Beyond coding, they understand AI technology’s implications for fairness, transparency, and privacy.

A great AI expert also has a business mindset—translating data into strategies that improve ROI, automate processes, or enable new revenue streams.

For example, a company hiring AI experts might need specialists who can build AI applications for predictive analytics or AI integration into customer service tools. These experts don’t just write algorithms—they design solutions that move business metrics.

Tip: When hiring AI experts, evaluate not only their coding ability but also their ability to communicate results to stakeholders and align projects with company goals.

The Growing Demand to Hire AI Developers and Engineers

The AI job market is booming. Businesses worldwide are actively looking to hire AI developers and hire AI engineers who can bring ideas from prototype to production.

According to LinkedIn’s Emerging Jobs Report, roles such as machine learning engineer, AI developer, and data engineer rank among the top 10 fastest-growing positions globally.

Organizations need teams that blend AI expertise with engineering discipline to manage real-time data and custom AI development. These professionals often work alongside project managers and DevOps engineers to ensure scalable, maintainable AI solutions.

When you hire AI developers, look for experience in model deployment, API creation, and collaborative software engineering—skills that transform standalone models into integrated business tools.

Why Companies Outsource or Nearshore AI Development

Many organizations now prefer to hire AI talent through nearshore staffing or outsourcing to gain flexibility, control costs, and accelerate delivery.

Partnering with firms like BetterWay Devs allows access to dedicated AI developers and remote AI engineers in Latin America—professionals who can support AI projects across industries.

Advantages of Nearshoring AI Services

• Time-zone alignment enables real-time collaboration.
• Cost efficiency: Lower salary differentials while maintaining quality.
• Scalable teams: Add or reduce resources as project needs evolve.
• Cultural compatibility: Shared working hours and communication styles with U.S. teams.

These benefits make AI services from nearshore providers a strategic option for companies that want to innovate faster without compromising on quality or control.

Building AI Projects That Deliver Real Business Value

Launching a successful AI project requires more than a brilliant algorithm—it demands planning, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

A typical AI development process includes:

1. Problem definition: Identify the business challenge and desired outcomes.
2. Data preparation: Gather and clean relevant datasets.
3. Model building: Train, test, and validate algorithms using AI tools such as TensorFlow or PyTorch.
4. Integration and deployment: Use AI integration services to embed models into live systems.
5. Monitoring: Continuously assess performance and adjust for accuracy and fairness.

Many companies rely on artificial intelligence services from specialized partners for scalability, model maintenance, and infrastructure management.

The best AI projects deliver measurable ROI—whether by automating manual tasks, predicting customer churn, or improving demand forecasting through data insights.

How to Hire AI Experts Efficiently

Finding and onboarding AI professionals requires a clear strategy:

1. Define project goals and roles – Clarify whether you need an AI specialist, data engineer, or AI developer.
2. Write detailed job descriptions – Specify tech stacks, model types, and domain experience.
3. Use multiple sourcing channels – Combine LinkedIn outreach, tech communities, and vetted partners.
4. Evaluate portfolios and projects – Ask for code samples or GitHub repositories showcasing relevant AI applications.
5. Assess cultural and communication skills – Especially for remote AI engineers or nearshore teams.

For many North American startups and mid-sized firms, working with an experienced partner like BetterWay Devs simplifies every step—from sourcing to compliance—making it easier to hire artificial intelligence developers that match your exact needs.

Discover the Top IT recruiting firms in Latam

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Onboarding and Retention

Once you’ve hired the right team, focus on engagement and retention.

• Structured onboarding: Provide documentation, mentorship, and early success milestones.
• Competitive compensation: Benchmark salaries and include bonuses or training budgets.
• Career development: Encourage certifications in AI technology, data science, and leadership.
• Inclusive culture: Recognize contributions, encourage experimentation, and value diverse ideas.

When you invest in your AI specialists long term, you build organizational intelligence—not just technical capability.

Why Partner with BetterWay Devs

BetterWay Devs connects North American companies with top AI developers, data engineers, and AI professionals across Latin America.

Our Advantages

• Curated Talent Pools: Pre-vetted AI experts and software engineers.
• Streamlined Hiring: We handle contracts, compliance, and payroll.
• Time-Zone Alignment: Real-time collaboration across LATAM.

Conclusion / Call to Action

Hiring data and AI experts is critical for organizations aiming to innovate and stay competitive. With demand growing over 28 % per year, and AI integration reshaping every industry, the search for qualified professionals extends beyond national borders.

Latin America offers a rich pool of AI engineers, machine learning specialists, and AI developers who can deliver impactful results in your time zone and within your budget.

Ready to hire AI experts who can transform your business?

Partner with BetterWay Devs to connect with vetted remote AI engineers, data scientists, and dedicated AI developers ready to power your next innovation.

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Paula Tellez

BetterWay Devs Inbound Marketing Manager

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-tellez/

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