Tech firms target Eastern Europe, LatAm for AI talent — Brand Vision
TORONTO, CANADA — Global tech companies are increasingly turning to international talent markets as the race for skilled IT professionals intensifies. Widespread cloud adoption, the AI revolution, and mounting skill gaps are reshaping hiring strategies, with firms looking beyond domestic borders to fill critical roles.
According to the Brand Vision Insights report, 76% of technology companies are reporting difficulties in recruiting for the positions due to the unavailability of the required skill set, and 51% of businesses are facing extreme shortages of AI experts.
Eastern Europe, Latin America top IT outsourcing hubs
Central and Eastern Europe has emerged as a premier destination for tech outsourcing.
Countries such as Poland, Moldova, and Bulgaria now account for roughly 40% of the global IT outsourcing market.
The region boasts over 1.2 million developers, with Poland alone contributing 600,000 skilled professionals.
The report states that developers from Eastern Europe not only provide “the most advanced AI/ML, gaming, fintech, and health tech solutions” but also offer the benefit of the region’s “perfect cost-to-quality ratio” to businesses seeking very strong digital skills.
Meanwhile, Latin America is gaining traction as a nearshore hub, especially for United States-based companies.
The region’s 2.2 million developers and thriving startup ecosystem, particularly in e-commerce, fintech, and healthtech, provide talent that aligns closely with U.S. time zones.
“The region’s strengths are solid tech expertise, cultural and time zone proximity for U.S.-based companies, and 30-50% lower rates than in the USA,” the report highlights, though it cautions about infrastructure variability and potential language barriers.
Southeast Asia’s growing role in global IT outsourcing
Southeast Asia is gradually becoming a crucial IT hub, with nations such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam offering an incredible pool of 1.3 million developers highly proficient in Python, Java, JavaScript, and cloud computing.
ASEAN‘s IT outsourcing market is likely to reach US$18.02 billion by 2030, a substantial increase.
Additionally, the area offers “60-80% lower costs than the USA” and proficiency in specialized technologies such as AI and data science; however, companies must deal with inconsistent quality and misalignment of culture with Western workflows.
Experts urge firms to evaluate outsourcing destinations not only on cost but also on other major criteria. Among the most important are time zone alignment, adherence to cybersecurity regulations, English proficiency, and the local legal framework for businesses.
The report concludes that “Eastern Europe and Latin America are the top emerging tech talent markets that are shaping the future of global employment,” offering firms access to skilled professionals while enabling faster scaling and long-term success.
As global competition for IT talent intensifies, strategic outsourcing has become a vital lever for businesses.
Choosing the appropriate area allows businesses to weigh the factors of cost and quality, protect their intellectual property, and at the same time ensure smooth communication across borders—thus the emerging IT hubs will be the leaders in the technology workforce of 2026.
