A couple of years ago, hiring in LATAM was all about lower prices. Today, I am proud to say that it is no longer the case. Why proud? Because our talent is being appreciated for what it is: excellent and pure gold.
Now, how to find the perfect fit? You’ll be looking for someone who truly understands the project, gives accurate insights, and provides value. That’s the key to every project, but especially for those looking to build a strong Proof of Concept (PoC).
If you’ve spent any time in the tech ecosystem here, you know we have the talent. But you also know the frustration of projects that get stuck in "purgatory"—never making it past a notebook page.
In this article, we’re looking at the top players in LATAM who are building PoCs that actually scale.
Understanding AI Proof of Concept (PoC): What it is and why it matters for your organization
We often tell our clients that a PoC is not a "lite" version of your product. It’s a targeted strike.
When done right, an AI Proof of Concept is a very organized project designed to validate that an idea is technically feasible and, more importantly, commercially viable. You aren’t building the whole skyscraper; you’re testing the soil and the foundation, which is why the team should be as strong as possible.
Are PoCs worth it? YES!
If you don’t test your idea, how will you know if it works? A Proof of Concept helps you sleep better at night by stating a clear roadmap of what is possible - or what it isn’t. So, PoCs matter because of:
- Risk Mitigation: AI projects are big-time unpredictable. A 4-to-6-week PoC saves you from a longer disaster.
- Stakeholder Buy-in: Nothing secures a budget like showing a functional prototype that already beats your current manual baseline.
- Data Reality Check: You might think your data is ready for a Neural Network, but a PoC will tell you if you actually need a better data cleaning strategy first.
How to Choose the right partner for developing your AI Proof of Concept
Choosing a partner in LATAM is a strategic move. You benefit from similar time zones (especially for US/Europe companies) and a vast pool of senior talent. But let me save you some time here: the one with the flashiest logo is not always the right answer.
When looking for a PoC partner in AI, look for:
- Business-First Thinking: Do they ask about your ROI, or just about your tech stack? Are they worried about your future expectations? Are they asking the right questions? Hey, they are your business partners as well, not only tech.
- Ethical AI Standards: As we discussed in our article on Data Privacy Management, security and bias aren't "extra features"—they are requirements. When a company is dealing with sensitive or confidential information, it is vital to have the ethical standards aligned. It doesn’t stop at the NDA.
- The Honest Guidance “Build vs. Buy”: A good partner will tell you when you don't actually need custom AI and could just use an existing tool. Most of the time, a custom solution is the best option, but when budget and expectations are not aligned with personalization, the right partner can suggest a solution that already exists in the market for your needs. (For more on this, check out our guide on In-house vs. Outsourcing).
The top AI PoC development companies
Here is a look at the regional leaders, ranging from massive giants to specialized factories like ours.
Globant (Argentina/Global)
Globant is the big gun of the region. Not long ago, they launched their AI Pods model, designed for rapid experimentation and testing. If you are an enterprise-level organization that needs a massive, multi-disciplinary team and global reach, they are the go-to.
Digital Sense (Uruguay)
Hello, it’s me (Thank you, Adele).
At Digital Sense, we focus on the high-complexity, high-stakes projects. What does this mean? Basically that we step up when standard "off-the-shelf" solutions fail. Our approach is the following: we work with a handful of clients (like the Montevideo City Hall) to build PoCs that are mathematically sound and ready for production.
We aren't a factory; we are an R&D lab that ships code. What you’ll find in our team is a group of talented individuals driven by research and focused on achieving results thanks to our knowledge.
Kauel (Chile)
Kauel is the master of AI in the physical world. They specialize in Computer Vision, so if your PoC involves drones inspecting power lines, IoT sensors in a mine, or automated quality control in a factory, they are the experts. We appreciate a company that can effectively handle software and hardware.
BairesDev (Argentina)
BairesDev is great for skyrocketing AI growth, especially for large companies. They have one of the largest talent pools in the Americas. For a company that needs to spin up a PoC team in 48 hours to test multiple hypotheses simultaneously, their approach may be the one.
Marvik (Uruguay)
With a soft spot for GenAI and agents, Marvik takes into account costs, accuracy, and processing times to build the ideal PoC. This way, they can provide a clear roadmap that includes architecture, backlog, and effort estimates.
What makes these companies the leaders in AI Proof of Concept development?
It’s not just about knowing how to use ChatGPT’s API. These companies lead because:
- Qualified Native Talent: They leverage the high STEM standards of universities in Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina. Underestimating talent in LATAM is one of the top mistakes you can make. Once the work begins, you realize the actual gem that lies hidden in the area.
- Pragmatism: They understand that we need solutions that work with limited resources and messy, real-world data. We are looking at companies that have a clear sense of direction, experience with a wide range of project sizes, and the resources to deliver excellent results.
- Insights: We have faced our fair share of challenges in AI consulting, and we provide clarity, not just practical results. What does this mean for someone looking for a PoC partner? That you’re dealing with a team that knows how to plan possible outcomes, asks the right questions, and has probably dealt with similar scenarios in the past.
Conclusion
Welcome to LATAM. There are millions of possibilities with AI right now, and if you’re not asking yourself how it can improve your workflow or solutions, then it’s time to start planning. Your competitors are already moving in this direction, so let’s get started.
Whether you need the massive scale of a Globant or the specialized technical depth we offer at Digital Sense, the key is to start small but think big. Are you ready to see if your AI idea can actually survive the real world?
Book a strategy call with our team, and let’s turn that concept into a working prototype in weeks. Next month, you could be pitching your new feature or solution to your clients.
