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Barranquilla’s Blueprint: How the City Is Cultivating Latin America’s Next-Gen AI Workforce

When we stepped onto the Expo ProBarranquilla floor last week, the energy was electrifying. Under the banner of “Negocios + Inspiración,” more than 20 national and international speakers convened to map out the future of the Caribbean region—and at its heart was AI. From public-private partnerships to hands-on skills programs, Barranquilla is demonstrating a model for how second-tier cities can become AI talent engines.

A 15-Year Legacy of Connection and Collaboration

Since its inception, Expo ProBarranquilla has been more than a trade fair—it’s a bridge between government, academia, and business. Celebrating its 15th anniversary on June 11–12, 2025, the event united ProBarranquilla’s “Te Conecta” business roundtable with its flagship expo, creating a unique ecosystem for matchmaking and knowledge exchange.

Key facts:

  • 15 years of driving economic transformation in Atlántico and the Caribbean
  • Over 125,000 annual visitors projected for 2025 across both platforms
  • 20+ high-level panels addressing topics from nearshoring to sustainable development

This legacy of “conversations that drive transformation” sets the stage for AI-focused initiatives to thrive.

Aligning Academia and Industry: AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance

At the heart of Barranquilla’s AI workforce strategy is the recognition that classroom curricula must evolve alongside industry demands. During Expo ProBarranquilla, the city government, ProBarranquilla, and Amazon Web Services launched the AWS Skills to Jobs Tech Alliance to:

  • Bridge the gap between university programs and market needs
  • Offer targeted training in cloud, data engineering, and AI fundamentals
  • Provide clear employment pathways through internships and hiring fairs

This coalition of employers, educational institutions, and workforce agencies aims to place 800+ digital-tech graduates into relevant roles—ensuring a steady pipeline of home-grown AI talent.

Hands-On Learning: From Bootcamps to Hackathons

Beyond formal degrees, Barranquilla’s ecosystem supports vocational and experiential learning:

  • Short-form AI bootcamps co-designed by local universities and tech firms
  • Monthly hackathons focused on real-world problems—from port logistics to climate resilience
  • Mentorship networks pairing senior engineers with emerging technologists

These grassroots efforts complement high-level policy goals, creating multiple entry points into the AI field and helping students—and mid-career professionals—build portfolios of real projects.

Attracting Investment: Nearshoring and Sectoral Incentives

Expo ProBarranquilla also spotlighted Barranquilla’s nearshoring advantages:

  • Competitive operating costs (up to 30% below Bogotá)
  • Strategic Caribbean port for global logistics and data infrastructure
  • Incentives such as tax breaks for AI-focused R&D centers

Costa Rica’s nearshoring success was cited as a model, and leaders discussed how Barranquilla can carve out a similar niche as Latin America’s next AI hub. The clear goal: attract multinationals to establish AI teams locally, creating spillover benefits for domestic talent.

Regional Collaboration: A Network Without Borders

The push for AI talent in Barranquilla isn’t insular. Pan-Caribbean collaboration was a running theme:

  • Shared certification standards among Caribbean development organizations
  • Cross-border internship programs with hubs in Panama, Costa Rica, and Brazil
  • Virtual symposiums on AI ethics and regulatory alignment

By weaving together regional strengths, Barranquilla ensures its workforce remains competitive—and companies gain access to a broader talent pool.

Measuring Success: From Graduates to Gigabytes

How will we know the blueprint works? ProBarranquilla has set clear metrics:

  • 1,000+ AI-trained graduates by end-2026
  • 20 new AI-focused companies established locally
  • 50% increase in venture funding directed to Atlántico startups

In addition, AWS Skills to Jobs reports will track placement rates and salary growth, providing real-time feedback on curriculum effectiveness.

Conclusion: A Model for Emerging AI Cities

Barranquilla’s approach—anchored at Expo ProBarranquilla—is more than a local success story. It’s a replicable blueprint for cities across Latin America seeking to:

  1. Leverage legacy events to spotlight tech innovation
  2. Forge public-private partnerships for skills development
  3. Integrate hands-on learning with formal education
  4. Offer nearshoring incentives to attract investment
  5. Build community infrastructure through co-working and incubators

As AI reshapes economies, Barranquilla demonstrates that next-gen talent ecosystems can—and must—be built from the ground up, with collaboration, clarity, and culture at their core. Whether you’re a startup founder, government official, or educator, the lessons from Barranquilla’s 15-year journey are clear: connect, cultivate, and champion your AI workforce—and watch your region thrive.

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