Talent hunt
American firms are turning to Asia in search of the best and brightest artificial intelligence (AI) experts.
These corporations are specifically eyeing AI talent in the Philippines, Vietnam, and India, not just to save on costs but to harness the burgeoning tech talent in these countries.
These nations are ramping up their investments in the new-age tech. Governments are enacting laws related to AI development, while schools are introducing specialized degrees or incorporating AI into their curricula.
Asia has long been a formidable business partner for American firms in various business processes. Customer service has been their bread and butter for quite some time, but things may soon shift to AI as the race to master the new-age tech intensifies.
The recruitment development comes as top tech firms are shelling out $300 million salary packages to lure in the best from the AI bunch. In the quest for AI supremacy, the biggest tech firms are poaching talent from one another. Startups, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises, are doing their best to keep pace with their modest budgets and have discovered the beauties of Asian tech talent.
Turning points
Since the dawn of the AI era, the West has drawn on the East for various AI processes, including data labeling and training. Nowadays, there’s a gradual shift to high-value occupations such as AI and Machine Learning engineers, research scientists, solutions architects, and more.
DeepSeek’s rise in early 2025 was a watershed moment in the AI revolution. It demonstrated that a powerful AI engine could be developed within a tight budget. The Chinese AI firm reportedly spent just $294,000 on training its R1 model, way less than its U.S. rivals, which allocated hundreds of millions for their own bots.
Experts also claim DeepSeek’s emergence proved that there are an infinite number of ways to create a dynamic engine. The West’s relentless self-belief in its own methods and philosophies, which has brought it many benefits over the years, has become out of fashion. Tapping talent from all corners of the globe is the only way to survive in this rapidly changing world.
Smaller world
Silicon Valley is no longer the world’s tech capital. Globalization has made the world smaller for the better. Cultures, institutions, and economies have become so interconnected that they have created an infinite array of opportunities.
The flow of goods, services, and talent has become so streamlined that in a matter of a few clicks, they’ll be at your fingertips. All you have to do is open your doors.
The question for your business
How are you utilizing an offshore workforce in your AI journey?