US Companies Turn to Latin America for AI Talent
US companies are increasingly seeking developers in Latin America for AI projects, particularly for Large Language Model (LLM) training and post-training. Revelo, a platform connecting US companies with vetted LatAm developers, is experiencing this surge firsthand.
Revelo Sees Increased Demand for LLM Expertise
Revelo CEO Lucas Mendes reports a significant increase in demand for engineers specializing in LLM training. This demand represents the next phase of the AI revolution, focusing on refining LLMs for specific, high-value tasks like coding.
There's a race for expert human data to improve LLMs for specific tasks. Coding is one such task, and we've seen a surge in demand from companies building foundational models.
LLM training hires contributed 22% of Revelo's revenue in 2024. Companies are seeking experts in specific coding languages to enhance their post-training processes. Revelo works with major US enterprises like Intuit, Oracle, Dell, and several leading AI providers.
LatAm Talent: A Growing Trend
Revelo isn't alone. Companies like Terminal, Tecla, and Near also connect US businesses with Latin American programmers. This demand for post-training expertise is the latest trend impacting tech hiring.
Founded in 2014 to address talent shortages, Revelo has raised over $48 million in venture funding. The company expanded from Brazil to the broader LatAm region and experienced significant growth during the pandemic as remote work became more prevalent.
Nearshoring Advantage
While the shift back to in-person work is occurring, Revelo continues to see strong demand. Mendes attributes this to the "nearshoring" advantage. LatAm developers often share time zones with US companies, making collaboration more efficient.
Revelo has acquired five LatAm talent-focused competitors in the past 30 months, including Alto and Paretisa. The company anticipates further acquisitions as it builds a global talent network for the age of AI.
