AI tools are only as strong as the team behind them. But right now, finding that team (especially locally) is harder than ever. Competition for AI talent is fierce and unprecedented. Not to mention, salaries are climbing astronomically. As a result, a lot of critical roles are sitting open for months.
That’s why more companies are turning to global hiring to build and scale their AI teams.
From Latin America to Eastern Europe to India, skilled engineers are ready to hit the ground running on machine learning, data ops, and full-stack AI projects. With the right approach, hiring globally doesn’t just solve talent shortages, it opens the door to smarter, faster, and more cost-effective growth.
In this post, we’ll break down why AI talent is so hard to find, why global hiring is the smartest path forward, and how to get started.
Why AI talent is hard to find (and even harder to afford)
Hiring for AI roles today is a challenge. Demand has exploded, but supply simply hasn’t been able to keep up. Companies across industries are racing to adopt AI, and everyone’s chasing the same limited pool of skilled engineers.
It’s especially difficult to find candidates who can move beyond experimentation to actually build and deploy AI systems. The most experienced engineers often receive multiple offers or are already locked in with companies that offer the biggest salaries, flashiest benefits, and most enticing incentives.
For smaller companies or those without huge budgets, it can be easy to get pushed out of the race. Local talent pools are limited; and, while universities and bootcamps are producing more AI graduates, it’s not enough to close the gap.
This leaves roles unfilled for too long or filled by candidates who don’t quite fit the bill. In either case, progress slows down just when you need it to speed up.
Why global hiring is the future of AI teams
When hiring locally isn’t working, looking beyond your local borders is often the best next step. Across Latin America, Eastern Europe, India, and beyond, there’s a host of skilled engineers ready to work on real-world AI problems. Global hiring offers four key advantages:
- Access to global talent: Strong AI expertise exists well beyond traditional tech hubs. Many global engineers have hands-on experience in machine learning, model deployment, and data infrastructure. They contribute to open-source tools, follow cutting-edge research, and are already comfortable working across time zones and cultures.
- Better ROI: Salaries and operating costs vary significantly by region. Hiring globally allows you to bring on highly qualified engineers at more sustainable rates for your company. That gives you room to scale faster, experiment with new ideas, and stretch your budget further without compromising on quality.
- Diverse perspectives: AI systems reflect the teams that build them. Engineers from different backgrounds are more likely to spot hidden issues early and design solutions that account for a broader range of users. That leads to more effective, inclusive products.
- Flexible, continuous progress: Distributed teams work across time zones. So work can keep moving even when one office shuts down for the day. With some overlap in working hours and smart coordination, global teams can maintain momentum and hit deadlines more reliably.
How to get started with global hiring for AI
Hiring globally doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take planning. Here’s how to set yourself up for success:
- Define your needs first. Start by mapping out the roles and technical skills you need. Do you need ML engineers, data ops experts, or full-stack developers with AI experience? Also consider how much of a time zone overlap you want. A few shared hours each day can make a big difference when it comes to communication and collaboration. Keep in mind there might also be some cultural differences that you have to account for, especially around work ethic, leadership style, and communication. Having this clear from the start is key to working well across borders.
- Choose the right hiring model. Freelancers are great for short-term projects. Full-time hires work well for long-term ownership. But if you’re scaling quickly, staff augmentation gives you the flexibility to grow your team fast, without the long lead times or added overhead of traditional hiring.
- Partner with a trusted expert. Working with a partner takes the guesswork out of global hiring. Take PowerToFly’s staff augmentation services, for example. We source highly qualified candidates with the right technical skills and values alignment for the role, and speed up the hiring process. Our team has helped companies build high-performing teams across LATAM, Eastern Europe, India, and the U.S.
The right partner turns global hiring from a hurdle into a head start.
The bottom line: Build smarter AI teams with global hiring
To keep up with AI’s rate of growth, you need the right people in the right roles, without getting stuck in long hiring cycles or blowing your budget.
Global hiring opens up access to talent beyond your local market. It helps you build more diverse, resilient teams and allows work to keep moving even after your local office signs off. Whether you’re launching a new product, scaling your infrastructure, or filling urgent gaps, global hiring gives you the speed and flexibility you need.
But success depends on more than just casting a wider net. It’s about making smart, strategic choices every step of the way. By clearly defining your needs, choosing the right hiring model, and partnering with experts who know the global landscape, you can build AI teams that deliver real results.
At PowerToFly, we help companies like yours do exactly that. Our staff augmentation services connect you with top-tier engineers from across LATAM, Eastern Europe, India, and the U.S. You get the flexibility to grow fast, with the confidence that your team is built to last.
Ready to build your AI team with global talent? Get in touch with PowerToFly today.
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