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AI Pilots Are Out. Execution Is In

Latam-GPT Goes Live: What It Means for Local AI Jobs

Why it matters: The debut of Latam-GPT, the region’s first large language model (LLM) developed with a focus on Latin American languages, data, and context, marks a turning point in the global AI race. For local talent, it means more than a new tool, it’s a catalyst for job creation, workforce transformation, and regional competitiveness in the age of generative AI.

A Regional Milestone in AI

In June 2025, Latam-GPT went live, positioning itself as Latin America’s answer to OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Anthropic’s Claude. Unlike its global counterparts, Latam-GPT was trained with an emphasis on Spanish and Portuguese linguistic nuances, regional legal frameworks, cultural contexts, and industry-specific datasets from Latin America.

This milestone is more than symbolic. It’s a direct assertion that Latin America is not just a consumer of global AI technology, but a creator of frontier innovation. By anchoring development in regional priorities, Latam-GPT strengthens local autonomy and narrows dependency on U.S. and European AI labs.

Crucially, the model’s launch also underscores the rising public-private-academic coalitions in the region. Governments provided policy backing, local universities contributed datasets and research capacity, and private investors supplied the capital to scale. This collaboration reflects a maturing AI ecosystem that’s determined to build sovereign capabilities.

The Job Creation Ripple Effect

Whenever a new foundational model is launched, a wave of job creation and role transformation follows. Latam-GPT is no exception. Here’s where the most visible impacts are emerging:

  1. AI Engineering & Fine-Tuning Roles
    • Local startups, universities, and corporations will need AI engineers and ML specialists to fine-tune Latam-GPT for vertical-specific use cases like healthcare, logistics, and fintech.
    • This means rising demand for prompt engineers, data annotation specialists, and AI infrastructure managers who can adapt workflows to each industry.
  2. Content & Language Jobs
    • By supporting Latin American dialects and cultural references, Latam-GPT will create demand for linguists, sociologists, and content reviewers to ensure accuracy, inclusivity, and ethical use.
    • This offers opportunities for non-technical professionals to actively participate in the AI economy.
  3. Industry Transformation Specialists
    • Sectors like banking, customer service, and education will need AI adoption leads professionals who bridge technical expertise with industry workflows.
    • These hybrid roles will grow in importance as organizations seek to embed Latam-GPT across operations.
  4. AI Governance & Policy Roles
    • Governments and regulators will increasingly recruit for roles in AI ethics, compliance, and auditing, ensuring Latam-GPT’s deployments adhere to regional and global frameworks.
    • This adds another layer of professional opportunities for legal and policy experts.

Beyond Disruption: How Existing Jobs Will Change

While job creation is exciting, the bigger story lies in job transformation. Routine tasks from call center scripts to loan processing will increasingly be automated by Latam-GPT-powered assistants. But rather than eliminating roles, this will upskill and reposition talent:

  • Customer support agents will shift from repetitive Q&A to handling complex, human-centric issues, supported by AI-generated responses.
  • Teachers will use Latam-GPT as a co-pilot, focusing on mentorship, creativity, and student engagement rather than rote content delivery.
  • Financial analysts will rely on automated reporting, freeing them for scenario planning and strategic decision-making.
  • Healthcare professionals will use AI-assisted diagnostic tools to identify early signs of disease, allowing doctors to concentrate on treatment strategies and patient care.

The net effect: human workers move up the value chain, focusing on creativity, judgment, and collaboration.

Regional Advantage: Why LATAM Matters in the AI Talent Market

Latam-GPT also highlights why global companies are doubling down on hiring AI talent in Latin America. Three factors stand out:

  1. Time Zone Alignment

    With minimal time difference, U.S. and Latin American teams collaborate in real time running agile sprints, resolving incidents instantly, and fostering tight cultural integration.

  2. Cost Efficiency

    Hiring senior developers in Mexico, Colombia, or Brazil costs significantly less than in Silicon Valley, without sacrificing quality. This cost-effectiveness is especially attractive for AI startups under pressure to scale lean.

  3. Cultural and Linguistic Expertise

    Latin American engineers and linguists bring unique knowledge of local dialects, idioms, and contexts something global models often miss. In industries like healthcare, law, and education, this contextual intelligence is invaluable.

Together, these factors position Latin America not just as a deployment market, but as a strategic talent hub where global AI companies will increasingly recruit.

Opportunities and Challenges Ahead

The promise of Latam-GPT is immense, but so are the challenges. The region must navigate:

  • Infrastructure gaps: Cloud costs and GPU shortages remain hurdles for startups trying to scale AI services.
  • Brain drain risks: As global companies hunt for Latin American talent, retaining engineers locally will require competitive wages and meaningful projects.
  • Ethical safeguards: Ensuring Latam-GPT avoids biases and protects user privacy is essential to build public trust.
  • Talent alignment: Workforce training must keep pace with rapidly changing skills, requiring partnerships between universities, bootcamps, and employers.

Addressing these challenges proactively will determine whether Latam-GPT sparks sustainable growth or creates dependency on external capital.

Tesoro AI’s Perspective

At Tesoro AI, we’ve already seen the ripple effects of Latam-GPT’s launch in our talent pipeline. Companies are no longer just asking for generic data scientists they’re seeking professionals who can:

  • Fine-tune models like Latam-GPT for specific industries.
  • Audit outputs for cultural sensitivity and ethical compliance.
  • Integrate LLMs into enterprise workflows at scale.

By deeply vetting AI engineers and connecting U.S. and LATAM firms with execution-ready professionals, we ensure this new phase of regional innovation is matched with the right human expertise.

Conclusion: From Importers to Innovators

Latam-GPT’s launch is a symbol of Latin America’s growing maturity in AI. It signals a shift from being importers of global AI products to becoming innovators in their own right. For talent, it means new roles, transformed workflows, and expanded opportunities to shape the global AI landscape.

This matters for three reasons:

  1. It proves Latin America can build world-class AI infrastructure tailored to its own needs.
  2. It accelerates the transformation of existing jobs, empowering professionals to take on higher-value roles.
  3. It positions the region as a strategic partner in the global AI economy, rather than just a market to be served.

For companies, the call to action is clear: invest in Latin American talent now. Those who do will not only benefit from cost-effective, highly skilled professionals but also gain an edge in creating culturally resonant AI solutions.

Latin America isn’t waiting for the future of AI it’s actively building it. And with tools like Latam-GPT and firms like Tesoro AI, the region is proving that the age of execution has truly arrived.

Sources

Bloomberg Línea. (2025, June). Latam-GPT launch marks milestone for AI in Latin America. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberglinea.com

Contxto. (2025). How Latam-GPT is reshaping the regional AI landscape. Retrieved from https://contxto.com

OECD. (2024). AI policy developments in Latin America. OECD Digital Economy Papers. Retrieved from https://oecd.org

World Bank. (2025). AI and the Future of Work in Latin America. Retrieved from https://worldbank.org

AI Pilots Are Out. Execution Is In

AI Pilots Are Out. Execution Is In: Latin America’s New Phase

For years, Latin America’s AI story has centered on pilots, small-scale experiments designed to test what machine learning could do. But in 2025, that narrative is changing. The region is entering a new phase: execution at scale. Governments, corporations, and startups are no longer content with proof-of-concept. They are embedding AI into the workflows that run economies, cities, and industries.

1. From Experimentation to Execution

In the past, many AI projects in Latin America ended as isolated demos. The problem wasn’t interest, it was infrastructure, funding, and integration. Now, those gaps are closing:

  • Cloud adoption has surged across Colombia, Mexico, and Brazil.
  • Universities and startups are collaborating on industry-grade datasets.
  • Governments are publishing AI roadmaps, creating clarity for investment.

As a result, AI projects are moving out of labs and into logistics centers, hospitals, and financial institutions.

2. Cross-Sector Collaboration as a Catalyst

At Tesoro AI, we’ve observed how multi-stakeholder partnerships are fueling momentum:

  • Healthcare: AI is now used for diagnostics in public hospitals across Chile and Argentina.
  • Agriculture: Startups are embedding predictive analytics into farming co-ops, helping farmers anticipate weather and crop yields.
  • Finance: Banks like BBVA and Nubank are deploying AI for fraud detection and credit scoring, built with LATAM engineers.

This collaboration ensures that AI adoption isn’t siloed. It scales across entire sectors.

3. The Role of Talent

Execution depends on people as much as technology. Latin America’s tech talent pool has matured significantly:

  • Senior engineers are returning from Silicon Valley to lead local teams.
  • Universities are embedding AI into core curriculums.
  • Bootcamps and accelerators are upskilling mid-career professionals into AI roles.

The result is a workforce ready not just to test ideas but to own entire AI workflows.

4. Case Studies in Execution

  • Logistics: Mexican logistics firms now use AI to route trucks in real time, reducing delivery costs by 20 percent.
  • Healthcare: Colombian hospitals are rolling out AI triage systems, cutting patient wait times by half.
  • Energy: Brazilian utilities are deploying predictive maintenance AI to prevent outages before they occur.

These aren’t pilots. They are operational systems with measurable ROI.

Conclusion

The AI era in Latin America is maturing fast. Pilots were valuable because they built confidence and proved feasibility. But the future belongs to execution. What sets this new phase apart is not only the scaling of technology but also the intentional alignment between governments, corporations, and startups. The ecosystem is converging around common goals, from efficiency gains in healthcare and logistics to resilience in energy and finance.

This matters for two reasons. First, it signals that Latin America is ready to play a more assertive role in the global AI economy, moving from consumer to producer of scalable AI solutions. Second, it demonstrates that AI is no longer a speculative investment here. It is becoming a foundational tool that businesses, policymakers, and communities rely on daily.

For companies, this is the moment to lean in. Those who wait risk falling behind, while those who embrace this execution wave will not only innovate but help define the region’s AI-driven future. At Tesoro AI, we are proud to be part of this movement, helping organizations scale beyond pilots and realize the transformative power of execution-ready AI talent.

Looking for execution-ready AI talent? Partner with Tesoro AI to scale your workflows today.

Sources

Hi Ventures. (2025). Latin America’s AI shift: From pilots to execution. Hi Ventures Report.

Nubank. (2025). AI for financial inclusion in Latin America. Retrieved from https://nubank.com

BBVA. (2025). Fraud detection and AI applications in LATAM banking. Retrieved from https://bbva.com

ProColombia. (2025). AI adoption across sectors in Colombia. Government of Colombia.

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A Nation on the Rise: Why Colombia Tech Week 2025 is the Most Important Tech Event in Latin America

The global technology landscape is turning its eyes to Latin America, and for two weeks this August, its focal point will be Colombia. From August 18-30, Colombia Tech Week 2025 will transform Bogotá and Medellín into a vibrant nexus of innovation, capital, and talent. Building on the breakout success of previous years, the 2025 edition is set to shatter records, with over 15,000 attendees, 300+ global investment funds, and an ambitious goal of mobilizing over $50 million for the region’s startups. For tech leaders, innovators, and investors, this is more than a conference, it’s a front-row seat to the future of a digital powerhouse.

The Evolution of a Tech Powerhouse

What began as a grassroots movement has evolved into a juggernaut. The leap from 11,000 attendees in 2024 to an expected 15,000+ this year is a testament to the unstoppable momentum of Colombia’s tech ecosystem. This growth isn’t just in numbers, but in scope. The event now spans two major cities and features a mature program designed to facilitate high-stakes investment, deep knowledge sharing, and invaluable cross-border connections.

The Titans of Tech and Capital: Who to Watch

The heart of any great event is its people, and Colombia Tech Week has attracted the best. This year’s speaker lineup features the architects of Latin America’s tech success. Expect to hear from visionaries like José Vélez, the founder of FinTech unicorn Bold; Simón Borrero, the co-founder and CEO of the continent-spanning super-app Rappi; Alfonso de los Ríos, founder of logistics leader Nowports; and Freddy Vega, the influential founder of the massive online learning platform Platzi.

Beyond the stage, the real power lies in the connections. Over 300 global investment funds will be present, with delegations from as far as the United Arab Emirates, all searching for the next breakout star. Their presence signals a clear message: the world is ready to invest in Colombian and Latin American innovation.

A Deeper Look at the Agenda: More Than Just Meetings

Forget endless panels in stuffy conference rooms. The 13-day agenda is a dynamic mix of over 200 events catering to every interest. The schedule includes:

  • High-Stakes Investment Roundtables: Curated sessions connecting pre-vetted startups with active VCs.
  • Hands-On Workshops: Deep dives into practical skills, from AI implementation to growth hacking.
  • Strategic Networking: A host of experiences, from gastronomic tours to sports activities, designed to foster genuine relationships.

The crown jewel of this year’s agenda is the inaugural Colombia Tech Fest. Taking place on August 21 and 22 in Bogotá, this open-air festival will redefine the tech conference experience. With over 50 global speakers, dedicated AI and Web3 zones, and a vibrant festival atmosphere, it’s designed to spark creativity and collaboration.

Deep Dive: The Emerging Trends and Opportunities

Colombia Tech Week will be a microcosm of the key trends shaping our digital future.

  • Artificial Intelligence: This will be the dominant conversation. With Colombia set to implement a national AI policy for 2025-2030, discussions will move past theory into the practicalities of governance, ethics, and, most importantly, talent. How do we build the teams capable of harnessing AI’s power responsibly?
  • The FinTech Frontier: As a regional leader in financial technology, the event will explore the next wave of innovation. Topics will include the role of blockchain in finance, the expansion of credit access through new data models, and the ongoing battle for digital banking supremacy.
  • Diversifying the Digital Economy: The conference will showcase the maturity of Colombia’s ecosystem beyond FinTech. Expect a strong presence from the SaaS, HealthTech, and EdTech sectors. These industries are not only solving critical regional challenges but are also building global-ready products, proving the depth and versatility of the local talent pool.

Tesoro AI at Colombia Tech Week: Leading the AI Talent Revolution

At Tesoro AI, we believe that world-changing ideas are powered by world-class teams. We are coming to Colombia Tech Week with a clear mission: to lead the conversation on building the elite AI talent required to fuel this wave of innovation. Our team will be on the ground to share our expertise in identifying, vetting, and assembling top-tier AI and machine learning teams. We will be hosting private roundtables for tech leaders and investors focused on scaling AI capabilities and mitigating talent risks.

The Future is Here

Colombia Tech Week 2025 is a declaration. It’s a statement that Latin America is not just a participant in the global tech economy, but a leader. For anyone serious about the future of technology, being there is non-negotiable.

Tesoro AI is ready to build the future with you. Let’s connect in Colombia.

References

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The New Rules of Raising Capital: Why Your AI Strategy and Global Team are Your Biggest Assets

The landscape of fundraising is in constant flux. For entrepreneurs, what worked five years ago may not be enough to secure the capital needed to scale in today’s competitive environment. In a recent Power Hour discussion, private equity expert and Tesoro AI founder Darius Grant broke down the new fundamentals for raising capital, emphasizing that an integrated AI strategy and a global mindset are no longer optional—they are essential.

Here are the key insights from the conversation that every founder needs to know.

The Fundraising Ladder: Know Your Stage and Your Investor

Raising capital isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. The first rule is to understand what type of capital is right for your business stage and model. Venture Capital (VC) firms, for example, are looking for businesses that can achieve a billion-dollar valuation to offset the many losses in their portfolio. If you run a service-based business, a VC is likely not the right fit.

“If you’re approaching a venture capitalist with a real estate or a services type of business, they’re not gonna be excited,” Darius explained. “Not because it’s not a good company, but because that’s not how they invest.”

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the stages:

 

Stage Description Ideal For
Family & Friends Capital from your personal network, based on trust. Idea-phase concepts.
Pre-Seed / Seed Early-stage funding, often for developing a prototype and gaining initial traction. Startups with an MVP and early signs of a market.
Series A, B, C… Increasingly mature funding rounds where investors expect to see significant traction, revenue, and a clear path to scale. Growing companies with proven product-market fit.
Growth Equity For established companies, typically in tech, that are growing fast and need capital to expand. Businesses with significant revenue and strong metrics.
Private Equity Focuses on acquiring mature businesses, often with revenues of $10 million or more. Established, profitable companies looking for a buyout or large-scale expansion.

 

For service-based businesses, alternative models like revenue-based financing are a better fit, where investors provide capital structured like debt with a payback schedule tied to your revenue growth.

The AI Imperative: Efficiency is the New Currency

In 2025, investors are looking critically at how companies are leveraging Artificial Intelligence. This isn’t just about having an “AI product”; it’s about operational efficiency.

Darius put it bluntly: “If you’re the only one that’s not using AI to run a more efficient business, then theoretically the other businesses have higher margins. And so if I’m the investor, I would prefer to invest in the business that has higher margins.”

AI can dramatically change a company’s financial health by:

  • Improving Margins: Automating workflows reduces operational costs.
  • Enhancing Product Value: Integrating AI can make a product more valuable and “sticky,” reducing price sensitivity.

The message is clear: businesses that use AI to operate more efficiently are fundamentally more attractive investments.

Beyond the Money: Smart Capital and Global Talent

One of the biggest mistakes founders make is thinking they just need money. More often, they need expertise and a sustainable operational model. This is where “smart money” and a global talent strategy come into play.

1. Attract “Smart Money” Smart money comes from investors who understand your industry and can provide more than just capital. They can open doors to new customers, offer technical guidance, and provide strategic advice because they are aligned with your mission. Don’t “spray and pray”; research and target investors who have a history of investing in your space.

2. Leverage a Global Talent Pool Talent is often the biggest expense for a growing business. Darius argues that one of the most effective ways to manage your burn rate—and postpone or even prevent the need to raise capital—is to adopt a nearshore or global talent model.

“How can you think about talent in a way that will actually postpone the necessity to raise capital?” Darius asked. “That’s where I believe that the nearshore model becomes important.”

By hiring high-quality, lower-cost talent from regions like Latin America, companies can achieve the same objectives at a fraction of the cost. This allows you to extend your runway, build your product, and reach profitability faster, making you a far more attractive prospect to any investor. Your best first investor, Darius notes, is often your own W-2 job, and your second-best investor is an efficient, globally-distributed team.

Time Stamps

  • [00:00:00] – Welcome to the Power Hour & Introduction
  • [00:02:20] – Guest Introduction: Who is Darius Gant?
  • [00:07:30] – The Process of Raising Capital Explained
  • [00:10:45] – Understanding the Stages of Fundraising (Family & Friends, Pre-seed, Seed, Series A, etc.)
  • [00:16:45] – Advice for Service-Based Businesses Looking for Capital
  • [00:20:30] – What VCs Look for: Credibility and The Team
  • [00:28:30] – Attracting “Smart Money”: Finding the Right Investor
  • [00:32:15] – The Critical Role of AI in Securing Investment
  • [00:35:00] – The Challenges and Drawbacks of Raising Capital
  • [00:36:50] – A Key Strategy: Leveraging Global Talent to Reduce Burn Rate
  • [00:39:40] – Using Brokers and Getting a Business Valuation
  • [00:42:20] – Practical Fundraising Advice for Service Providers
  • [00:49:15] – Do You Need Patents Before Seeking Investment?
  • [00:49:45] – Final Advice: Why You Need to Learn AI Now
  • [00:51:00] – Final Words and Wrap-up

 

 

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Latam-GPT Beta Testing Begins: A New Era for AI in Latin America

A new era for artificial intelligence in Latin America is dawning with the beta testing of Latam-GPT, a large language model specifically designed for the region. This ambitious open-source project, led by the National Center for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) in Chile, involves a collaboration of over 30 institutions and 60 experts from 12 Latin American countries. The initiative aims to create an AI model that truly reflects the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of Latin America, a significant step towards technological sovereignty and digital inclusion for the region.

The development of Latam-GPT, which began in early 2023, is a direct response to the limitations of existing large language models. While models like OpenAI’s ChatGPT have impressive capabilities, they are predominantly trained on English-language data and often fail to capture the nuances of Latin American culture, history, and language. This can lead to inaccurate or culturally insensitive responses, highlighting the need for a model trained on local data.

Latam-GPT is being built using Meta’s LLaMA 3 architecture and trained on a vast dataset of regionally sourced text, including information from local schools, libraries, and historical documents. The first version of the model will include around 70 billion tokens in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, with a strong focus on local idioms, expressions, and even Indigenous languages. This will allow Latam-GPT to provide more accurate and culturally relevant responses than its global counterparts.

The project is a testament to the power of pan-regional collaboration. It brings together experts from Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay, with support from institutions in the United States and Spain. The infrastructure is hosted in Chile, with data contributed by various countries, and the project has received support from the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and Amazon Web Services (AWS).

The beta testing phase is a crucial step in the development of Latam-GPT. It will allow developers to identify and correct errors, measure the value of the collected information, and refine the model’s performance. The full release is expected in September 2025, with an open-access deployment that will allow developers and researchers to tailor applications to regional requirements.

The potential applications of Latam-GPT are vast. It could be used to improve public policy analysis, environmental research, and economic studies. It could also be a valuable tool for education, helping to preserve Indigenous languages and enhance educational tools. By providing a more accurate and culturally relevant AI model, Latam-GPT has the potential to be a transformative force, empowering Latin American nations to leverage AI for their unique needs and secure their place in the global technological future.

The Importance of Cultural Context in AI

The development of Latam-GPT underscores a critical issue in the field of artificial intelligence: the importance of cultural context. AI models are only as good as the data they are trained on, and when that data is not representative of the diversity of human experience, the resulting models can perpetuate biases and stereotypes.

This has been a significant problem with many of the large language models currently in use. Trained primarily on data from the “global North,” these models often have a limited understanding of other cultures and can produce responses that are inaccurate, incomplete, or even offensive. For example, when asked about Latin American literature, ChatGPT’s response was heavily skewed towards the work of a single Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, and even included non-existent books.

Latam-GPT aims to address this problem by creating a model that is “of the region, by the region, and for the region.” By training the model on data that reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of Latin America, the developers hope to create an AI that is more accurate, more relevant, and more useful for the people of the region.

This is not just a technical challenge; it is also a political and social one. The development of Latam-GPT is a declaration of technological sovereignty, a refusal to be dependent on AI models developed elsewhere. It is an assertion of the value of Latin American culture and a commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive digital future.

The success of Latam-GPT could have a significant impact on the AI industry. It could pave the way for the development of other regional AI models, each tailored to the specific needs and cultures of its users. This would not only lead to better AI but also to a more diverse and vibrant AI ecosystem.

What this means for Tesoro AI

The development of Latam-GPT presents a significant opportunity for Tesoro AI. As a talent acquisition firm specializing in AI in the Americas, we are uniquely positioned to support this and other similar initiatives. By connecting our clients with the talented individuals who are building the future of AI in Latin America, we can help to accelerate the development of this exciting new field.

We can also play a role in promoting the use of culturally relevant AI. By educating our clients about the importance of using AI that is tailored to their specific needs and by connecting them with the tools and resources they need to do so, we can help to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared by all.

The launch of Latam-GPT is a landmark moment for AI in Latin America. It is a testament to the talent, creativity, and determination of the people of the region, and it is a sign of great things to come. We at Tesoro AI look forward to seeing the amazing things that will be accomplished with this groundbreaking new technology.

References

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Cali’s Innovation Tide: How Macrorrueda 2025 Reinforced Latin America’s AI Advantage

Last week, the bustling streets of Cali transformed into a global innovation hub as Macrorrueda 2025 convened investors, policymakers, technologists and more under one roof. Now in its 18th edition, Macrorrueda has long been a showcase for Colombia’s export sectors and this year, artificial intelligence took a stage. Here’s how the city’s unique blend of policy, talent, and culture reinforced Latin America’s advantage.

Government Vision Meets Market Reality

Mayor Alejandro Eder kicked off the conference by declaring, “The best social policy is dignified, formal employment.” That philosophy underpins Cali’s recent economic strategy. Over the past two years, the municipal government has streamlined business permits, introduced tax incentives for R&D, and bolstered security guarantees for investors turning bureaucratic hurdles into business enablers .

The Secretary of Economic Development and Tourism of Cali, Mabel Lara, captured Cali’s spirit perfectly: “Here, we walk while we dance.” It’s a city that balances cultural creativity with deeptech capacity—a place where salsa rhythms pulse alongside data centers. This dual identity has attracted both startups and multinationals, keen to tap into a workforce that combines technical acumen with an innate flair for innovation.

Private-Sector Validation

If government support set the stage, private-sector voices provided the encore. At Macrorrueda Mario Pardo, Presidente Ejecutivo de BBVA Colombia, highlighted an ‘enormous pool of talent—especially in the Pacific corridor. Local startups echoed the sentiment. Pitch after pitch emphasized bilingual teams and timezone alignment as decisive advantages over offshore alternatives.

What’s Next?

Nearshoring has evolved. What once was a cost-play is now a strategic imperative. Companies seeking agility, cultural proximity, and resilient supply chains are looking beyond traditional tech hubs—and Cali offers all three:

  • Policy support that removes red tape and incentivizes R&D investment.
  • Cultural affinity and bilingual fluency that smooth cross-border collaboration.
  • A surplus of AI expertise rooted in universities, incubators, and grassroots hackathons.

As Macrorrueda 2025 showed, Cali isn’t just riding an innovation tide—it’s generating the waves.

Cali’s innovation tide is far from over**.** With policy momentum, private-sector validation, and on-the-ground initiatives by firms like Tesoro AI, the city is poised to cement its role as a cornerstone of Latin America’s AI advantage. Whether you’re a startup founder, an R&D leader, or a talent strategist, Cali’s Macrorrueda 2025 offers a compelling blueprint: invest in people, partner across sectors, and build infrastructure that dances as nimbly as it functions.

Sources

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AI Rising: Meet Latin America’s Top 15 Startup Game-Changers in 2025

Latin America’s AI landscape is rapidly evolving, with startups across the region developing innovative solutions that address local challenges and have global relevance. Here’s a look at 15 standout AI startups making waves in 2025:

  1. Fracttal (Chile)

    Fracttal offers AI-powered maintenance management solutions through its mobile platform, Fracttal One. By integrating IoT devices, it enables predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and operational costs for clients like Coca-Cola and FedEx.

  2. Buddy.ai (Montenegro/Latin America)

    Buddy.ai has developed a conversational AI tutor designed for children, focusing on teaching English through interactive methods. With over 50 million downloads, it’s particularly popular in Latin America, addressing educational gaps in English proficiency.

  3. Vambe (Chile)

    Vambe utilizes AI agents to automate customer communications and sales via WhatsApp. In just eight months, it increased its annual recurring revenue from $20,000 to $1 million, showcasing rapid growth and scalability.

  4. Nutri Co (Peru)

    Nutri Co employs AI to enhance nutrition by developing new food product recipes. Its AI, named Virgilio, aims to reduce the time required to create healthy food items, making nutritious options more accessible.

  5. Fastfold (Colombia)

    Fastfold is accelerating scientific discovery in molecular biology through its AI platform, democratizing research and enabling faster breakthroughs in the field.

  6. Morada.ai (Brazil)

    Morada.ai enhances the real estate industry by offering AI-powered solutions that assist with property listings, client inquiries, and connecting interested parties with brokers.

  7. BioGrip (Mexico)

    BioGrip is developing advanced bioprosthetics that integrate AI to interpret neural signals, aiming to provide users with more natural and functional prosthetic limbs.

  8. Keybe.ai (Colombia)

    Keybe.ai offers a generative AI platform that transforms how brands communicate with customers, centralizing information to provide personalized experiences and automate processes.

  9. Vozy (Mexico)

    Vozy specializes in AI-driven voice assistants that enhance customer service interactions, helping businesses streamline communication and improve customer satisfaction.

  10. Auravant (Argentina)

    Auravant leverages AI to provide precision agriculture solutions, enabling farmers to monitor crops effectively and make data-driven decisions to increase yield and sustainability.

  11. Zapia (Latin America)

    Zapia offers an AI executive assistant on WhatsApp, streamlining tasks and improving productivity for professionals across Latin America.

  12. Kiwi (Latin America)

    Kiwi provides specialized healthcare financing platforms, utilizing AI to assess creditworthiness and offer tailored financing solutions for medical expenses.

  13. Diio (Latin America)

    Diio uses AI to assist sales teams by analyzing data and providing insights, enhancing decision-making and sales strategies.

  14. TaxDown (Latin America)

    TaxDown employs AI to simplify tax management, offering users personalized advice and ensuring compliance, with plans to expand its services across Latin America.

  15. Escala 24×7 (Latin America)

    Escala 24×7 focuses on cloud and application modernization, using AI to help businesses transition smoothly to cloud-based infrastructures.

Conclusion

These 15 AI startups exemplify the dynamic and innovative spirit fueling Latin America’s tech ecosystem in 2025. By addressing diverse and locally relevant challenges—from education gaps and healthcare accessibility to agricultural productivity and streamlined customer services—they illustrate a strategic shift from simply adapting global innovations to creating tailored solutions rooted in regional needs.

Latin America is increasingly positioning itself not just as a market for AI technology but as a creator and exporter of AI-driven innovation. Critical factors driving this evolution include rising local investment, targeted government policies like Colombia’s CONPES 4144, and increased collaboration between universities, private sectors, and international partners. The result is a resilient ecosystem capable of generating startups that can scale quickly and sustainably, like Chile’s Fracttal and Montenegro-born.

Moreover, the emphasis on real-world problem-solving—leveraging local knowledge and cultural insights—ensures that Latin American AI ventures achieve both social impact and economic success. By investing strategically in talent, infrastructure, and international partnerships, Latin America is laying a robust foundation to become a global hub for AI development and innovation, contributing uniquely to the global tech dialogue.

As the region continues to nurture and expand this ecosystem, the world should expect to see Latin American tech not just follow trends but increasingly set them, reflecting a maturing industry ready to command greater global influence and recognition.

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From Mexico to Colombia: LATAM’s Rising Voice in Global AI Policy

Latin America is no longer on the sidelines of the AI regulation debate—it’s stepping into the spotlight. From Mexico City’s legislative initiatives to Colombia’s landmark CONPES policy, and a high-level summit at UCL, LATAM is actively shaping the rules that will govern AI’s next chapter. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Mexico’s Senatorial Push for Balanced AI Rules

Earlier this month, Mexico’s chief AI legislator delivered a clear message: the Global South cannot sit out the AI governance race. In a Reuters interview, Senator Xóchitl Gálvez highlighted the need to balance innovation with safeguards against misuse, positioning Mexico as a leader among emerging economies on this front.

  • Key takeaway: Mexico is drafting a bill to regulate AI applications in finance and public services, incorporating strict data-privacy measures while preserving research freedom.

2. Colombia’s New National AI Policy: CONPES 4144

On June 14, 2025, Colombia’s National Planning Department (DNP) released CONPES 4144, the country’s first comprehensive AI policy framework. This soft-law document:

  • Establishes ethical and transparency standards for both public and private AI deployments.
  • Mandates algorithmic impact assessments for government systems handling citizen data.
  • Coordinates with sectoral regulators, including the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce’s 2024 data-protection guidelines.

Just days later, the Constitutional Court’s T-067/25 ruling reaffirmed citizens’ rights to understand AI-driven decisions, endorsing algorithmic transparency in public services.

3. Regional Summit at UCL: Mapping LATAM Governance Needs

On June 20, the UCL Institute of the Americas hosted “AI Governance and Regulation in Latin America,” convening policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders from Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and beyond. Highlights included:

  • Presentation of the Latin American AI Governance Index, benchmarking each country’s maturity in ethics, safety, and accountability.
  • Panel debates on data sovereignty—particularly for cloud-hosted AI services—and strategies for regional coordination.
  • A call to form a Pan-Latin regulatory forum to harmonize standards and share best practices.

This event underscored a growing consensus: fragmented national rules risk creating compliance gaps that bad actors could exploit.

4. Cross-Border Coordination Gains Momentum

Beyond high-profile summits, practical cooperation is unfolding:

  • Declaration of Santiago (Oct 2023) signatories are drafting model AI laws to guide legislative bodies across the region.
  • UNESCO’s 2024 Regional Summit in Buenos Aires produced a set of guiding principles—from fairness to human-centered design—that inform national bills.
  • Access Now’s “Regulatory Mapping” report has catalyzed civil-society pressure in Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, calling for anti-bias audits and public-interest AI oversight.

5. Challenges and Next Steps

Despite this momentum, LATAM faces hurdles:

  • Resource constraints in smaller economies may delay comprehensive rule-making.
  • Skill gaps in regulator ranks require targeted upskilling—a need that Tesoro AI’s regional talent network is uniquely positioned to address.
  • Global alignment with the EU’s AI Act and OECD principles will demand diplomatic agility to avoid becoming mere “regulation takers.”

Why It Matters for AI Teams

For companies and AI professionals eyeing Latin America, this regulatory surge brings both risk and opportunity:

  • Risk: Uncertainty around pending bills could stall deployments or require rapid policy pivots.
  • Opportunity: Early movers can shape local frameworks, gain first-mover advantages, and tap into funding incentives tied to ethical AI.

At Tesoro AI, we partner with organizations navigating these changes—matching you with regulatory-savvy engineers, data-governance experts, and policy advisors across LATAM. Our deep understanding of local contexts ensures your AI initiatives comply with emerging standards from Mexico City to Bogotá.

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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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Unmasking the AI Applicant: Strategies to Detect and Prevent Hiring Scams

Hiring AI talent isn’t just about finding a great resume—it’s about uncovering what’s real beneath the surface.

As AI continues to evolve at breakneck speed, so do the people looking to exploit it. We recently had a real-life encounter at Tesoro AI where a candidate presented as the “perfect” AI engineer: an overqualified résumé, strange response delays, a reluctance to turn on their camera—and ultimately a web of half-truths that unraveled mid-interview.

This isn’t an isolated incident. Welcome to the AI hiring Wild West.

A Real-World Red Flag: The “Perfect” AI Resume

The candidate’s credentials sparkled with top-tier AI startups, but the behavior didn’t match the profile. Suspicious lag times between responses, awkward avoidance of a video call, and strangely generic answers painted a different picture. Eventually, it all crumbled: the roles were “just fictitious,” the English was inconsistent despite an Ivy League degree, and the camera mysteriously was not working.

It was an AI-infused impersonation attempt—one of many quietly creeping into the hiring ecosystem.

The Sophistication of AI-Enabled Scams

Gone are the days when fake resumes could be spotted with a quick glance. Today’s fraudsters come armed with generative AI tools, and synthetic voice tech that mimic human interaction with unnerving precision.

Here’s how some of these tactics work:

  • Generative AI-written resumes can help candidates showcase real skills more clearly—but when it’s used to invent roles, inflate achievements, or gloss over gaps, it becomes deceptive.
  • AI-enabled interview answers where candidates leverage software working in the background to answer interview questions versus relying on earned knowledge and experience.

These scams are not just about securing a job—they can serve as entry points for data theft, internal sabotage, or client misrepresentation.

Why AI Recruitment Needs a Human Touch

In this era of deception, AI alone can’t police AI hiring.

The paradox? Many companies now rely on automated tools to screen candidates—tools that excel at parsing technical keywords but fall short at detecting soft skill nuances, cultural alignment, or conversational authenticity.

That’s where real insight matters.

Soft skills like integrity, empathy, and communication are often what expose the truth in an interview. But these don’t come through in resumes. They come through in subtle interactions, the kind that only experienced, human-led recruitment can catch.

How Tesoro AI Ensures Authenticity

At Tesoro AI, we’re not just aware of this new hiring frontier—we’re on the frontlines.

Our methodology is built on two pillars: deep client understanding and human-guided candidate communication. We take time to understand what truly defines success on your team: how your culture operates, how communication flows, and what behaviors lead to high performance.

Then, we mirror that understanding back to candidates—not just to verify skills, but to assess fit. This helps us uncover whether a candidate’s presence matches their paper.

We also:

  • Conduct real-time video vetting to ensure authenticity.
  • Prioritize live interviews over recorded content.
  • Vet candidates for conversational fluency and problem-solving agility.
  • Maintain an active talent pipeline across Latin America, where we have deep networks and local expertise.

Actionable Steps: How to Detect AI Impostors

Organizations can strengthen their defense by integrating some critical hiring practices:

  • Require Early Video Calls

    Look for audio-video sync issues, stiff body language, or delayed answers.

  • Ask Off-Script Questions

    Impromptu technical or behavioral prompts reveal genuine understanding.

  • Evaluate Communication Fluency

    Notice mismatches between claimed background and language use.

  • Verify Past Employers

    Call companies directly—AI frauds often list ambiguous contract roles.

  • Leverage Regional Specialists

    Work with partners like Tesoro AI, who have on-the-ground knowledge and validation processes.

Conclusion: Authenticity is the New Differentiator

As AI continues to reshape industries, ensuring the authenticity of your AI team becomes just as important as evaluating their ability. Real innovation doesn’t come from fabricated resumes—it comes from human talent aligned with your mission, your culture, and your vision.

The new frontier in AI hiring isn’t just technical—it’s ethical. And in a world of deepfakes, the companies that thrive will be those that invest in real relationships, rigorous vetting, and empathetic hiring practices.

Because when it comes to AI, what’s real matters more than ever.

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