Where to Hire Offshore AI Engineers: The Best Countries for 2025

1. Strong technical talent pools

Countries with well-established engineering education systems consistently produce AI professionals who are ready to contribute without a long learning curve. Countries like Argentina, Poland, India, and Brazil are known for their strong STEM universities and growing AI ecosystems.

2. Cost efficiency (without compromising quality)

Let’s be clear—this isn’t about finding the cheapest talent. It’s about tapping into markets where the cost of living is lower, so you can offer competitive local salaries that still represent significant savings.

In Latin America, Eastern Europe, and South/Southeast Asia, you can expect to save 30–70% compared to US rates—while hiring engineers who deliver US-level work. 

Savings tend to be highest in South and Southeast Asia, where salary expectations are generally lower due to the cost of living—often closer to the 50–70% range. In Latin America, savings typically fall between 30–60%, offering a strong balance of cost efficiency and time zone alignment. Eastern Europe sits somewhere in between, often delivering 40–60% savings depending on the role and country.

No matter which country you choose from the list we’ll share, the savings will be significant compared to hiring in the US.

For a comparison of offshore and US salaries, see our article “How Much Does It Cost to Hire an AI Engineer?”

3. English proficiency and cultural alignment

Clear communication makes or breaks remote collaboration. Countries like Mexico, Colombia, Poland, and the Philippines offer strong English skills and familiarity with US business culture. This means smoother onboarding, better alignment, and fewer crossed wires.

4. Time zone compatibility

For US-based companies, time zone overlap is a game-changer. Latin America leads here, with most countries working the same or similar hours as US teams.

Eastern Europe offers a few hours of overlap, while Asia fits well if you’re adopting a follow-the-sun model.

5. Growing AI communities

Hiring in regions that are investing in AI helps ensure access to forward-thinking engineers. Brazil, Poland, and India are examples of countries where AI ecosystems are expanding, driving innovation and attracting skilled talent.

1. Mexico

Mexico offers a compelling mix of proximity to the US, skilled talent, and established tech infrastructure. With major hubs like Guadalajara and Monterrey, the country has become a magnet for US tech companies. The Mexican government is actively investing in its tech workforce and pushing to strengthen AI education across the country. 

That, combined with strong English proficiency in the tech sector, makes Mexico an excellent choice for businesses considering offshoring AI engineering. 

2. Brazil

Brazil boasts one of the largest tech talent pools in Latin America. Its top universities produce thousands of engineering graduates each year, and the country recently proposed a $4 billion national AI investment plan. 

With a growing number of AI startups and developers gaining experience on global projects, Brazil continues to gain traction as a serious “nearshore” contender for those looking to hire AI engineers in Latin America.

3. Argentina

Argentina has built a reputation as one of Latin America’s top tech hubs, with a strong pipeline of AI and software engineering talent. The country is home to global successes like MercadoLibre and Globant, and its universities, like UBA and ITBA, are well-known for strong AI research programs. 

Many engineers work on international projects from day one, bringing both technical skills and real-world experience to the table.

4. Colombia

Colombia is rising fast on the AI radar. It offers a cost-effective hiring environment, strong English proficiency, and cultural alignment with US companies. 

The country also made headlines by launching Latin America’s first dedicated Faculty of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Caldas, highlighting its long-term investment in tech education.

5. Poland

Poland continues to be a standout in Eastern Europe for offshore development. Each year, thousands graduate with AI-relevant degrees from institutions like the Warsaw University of Technology. The Polish government has recently invested $240 million in AI development and supported the production of a Polish language LLM.

Engineers here often speak fluent English and are accustomed to US workflows, making cross-border collaboration straightforward.

6. Estonia

Estonia is small but mighty when it comes to digital innovation. Often referred to as “e-Estonia,” it ranked second globally in the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index. 

The country has adopted AI across public and private sectors, with strong support for R&D and startup ecosystems. For teams considering where to find top offshore AI engineers, Estonia offers impressive digital readiness and English fluency.

7. India

India remains a heavyweight in offshore tech. It ranks number 1 among South Asian countries and is around 40th globally in Oxford’s AI Readiness Index. 

It also ranked 10th worldwide in private AI investment in 2023. For many businesses, India remains one of the most cost-effective choices because of its low labor rates.

8. Philippines

The Philippines is a smart option for companies prioritizing strong English skills and cultural compatibility. Government-backed initiatives like AAP (Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association) support research and training, while universities are expanding their focus on AI and data science. 

The country is particularly well-suited for customer-facing AI projects, where communication is key. If you’re weighing LatAm vs. Asian countries, the Philippines offers a distant but cost-effective alternative.

9. Vietnam

Vietnam is quickly becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting tech hubs. The country’s IT services market is expected to reach $2.07 billion in 2024, with $0.7 billion coming from IT outsourcing. It has a highly skilled workforce and a growing startup ecosystem. Companies like MoMo and Axie Infinity are leading the way, and global tech giants are taking notice.

The government is also encouraging AI adoption through public-private partnerships and sector-specific initiatives. For businesses interested in hiring a remote AI engineer in Southeast Asia, Vietnam presents strong opportunities in artificial intelligence, e-commerce, and IoT.

Working hours matter: Time zone differences at a glance

Before you lock in a country, consider how working hours will impact your collaboration.

Some of the top countries on this list line up closely with US time zones, making real-time communication easy. Others are better suited for asynchronous workflows or a follow-the-sun model.

Here’s a quick look at how the countries we’ve covered align with US working hours—so you can factor time zones into your decision-making. This table shows when your offshore AI team would start their day in relation to 9:00 a.m. in New York and California (during Daylight Saving Time).

Recruitment or staffing agencies

Working with a recruitment or staffing agency is one of the most effective ways to source offshore AI talent, especially if you’re hiring internationally for the first time. These agencies bring expertise in sourcing, screening, and placing candidates—but they also handle the operational complexities that come with international hiring.

That includes managing cross-border payments, contracts, and local compliance. This eliminates much of the learning curve businesses face when hiring in unfamiliar markets.

Of course, we’ve seen this approach simplify hiring time and time again (it’s what we do). The right partner makes hiring offshore talent feel as straightforward as hiring domestically.

Freelance platforms

Websites like Upwork, Toptal, and Guru offer access to a global pool of freelance AI engineers. These platforms can work well for short-term or experimental projects. However, vetting is entirely on you. 

Finding someone with the right skills, communication habits, and reliability takes time—and a bit of luck.

Job boards

General platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed can work for international hiring, but it helps to look at region-specific sites too. 

For example, GetOnBoard is widely used across Latin America and often draws qualified candidates who are already experienced in working remotely with US companies.

Referrals

Sometimes, your own network is the best place to start. A referral from a trusted contact often comes with a built-in layer of trust and can reduce your hiring risk. Just keep in mind that your network may not always have the global reach you need.

But unless you have hired internationally before, working with a partner can help you avoid common mistakes and speed up the process. If you’re serious about hiring a remote AI engineer, having the right support in place is absolutely worth it.