Top 5 Countries to Find and Hire AI Talent in 2025

As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize global industries, the demand for top-tier talent have increasing intensified. Be it startup founder, tech leader, or HR strategist, choosing the right country to hire AI professionals can be a judicious choice.  

In order to make an informed choice, it is paramount that we have an analyzed five destinations for sourcing AI talent. Consider talent availability, hiring costs, infrastructure (based on business model), government investment in AI development and ease of regulatory compliance. 

Strategic Markets for Hiring AI Talent in 2025: 

1. 1. India

Best for: Lean expansion and a deep, technically strong talent pool. 

With over 2.6 million STEM graduate every year, and an estimated 420,000 AI/ML professionals the India workforce continues to contribute to the global tech talent. Major cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad are home to AI research hubs and incubators, backed by 859 empowering it further. These initiatives include National AI Strategy and programs from NITI Aayog. 

Why India? 

• Competitive AI engineer salaries: ~$20,000–$35,000/year for mid-level roles (vs. $130K+ in the US). 

• Ranked at 1st in AI skill penetration globally (LinkedIn Global Talent Trends). 

• Robust English proficiency; ranked 3rd in Asia on the EF English Proficiency Index. 

Considerations: 

• Indian time zones differ for Western companies. 

• Highly competitive talent market in Tier 1 cities. 

2. Poland

Best for: Access to high-quality EU-based AI talent with lower labor costs. 

Poland offers top-tier talent to cost ratio within in EU. It boasts more than 400 AI startups and produces over 80,000 tech graduates annually. Warsaw and Krakow serves as a critical point in driving Europe’s AI innovation corridor. Poland, at present, ranked 1 in Central and Eastern Europe for developer skills in HackerRank global index. 

Why Poland? 

• Poland offers competitive salaries $30,000–$50,000/year for AI roles. 

• GDPR-aligned from day one. 

• Eligible R&D expenses can receive a tax relief of up to 200% for qualified costs under Poland’s Innovation Box. 

Considerations: 

• Poland may experience rising salaries due to growing demand. 

• Complex employment laws—but manageable with the right partner. 

3. Canada

Best for: Sustained commitment to innovation and research partnerships. 

Canada is ahead of curve in terms of AI ecosystems, with the government investing CAD $443 million (USD ~$325M) in the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy since 2017. Considering in which, Toronto individually has over 270 AI focused companies, while Montreal is home to world’s largest AI research institutes. The country also offers a hastened work visas for tech talent to through the Global Talent Stream. 

Why Canada? 

• Salaries: ~$75,000–$120,000/year depending on city and experience. 

• High university output: over 10,000 AI-focused postgraduates annually. 

• Canada has a cultural and time zone alignment with the US. 

Considerations: 

• Higher costs than emerging markets. 

• Provincial employment laws can vary—but manageable via local experts. 

4. Brazil

Best for: Growing Latin American tech talent with cost advantages. 

Brazil’s tech sector is Latin America’s largest, with over 500,000 software developers and an emerging AI research community. São Paulo, for example, ranks among the top 30 global startup ecosystems (Startup Genome, 2024). Brazil’s Ministry of Science and Technology has committed over BRL 1 billion (~$200M) to AI-focused research and innovation through its AI Action Plan. 

Why Brazil? 

• Salaries: $20,000–$40,000/year for AI professionals. 

• Strong university system producing 120,000+ STEM grads annually. 

• Low office space costs: ~$15–$25/sq.ft. in Tier 1 cities. 

Considerations: 

• Complex labor laws and tax regimes. 

• Portuguese-only documentation can be a barrier—solvable with local support.
   

5. Vietnam

Best for: Affordable, fast-growing tech ecosystem in Southeast Asia. 

Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing digital economies in Asia. It added over 400 AI startups in the last five years and ranked #1 in Southeast Asia for AI readiness (Oxford Insights, 2024). Government backing includes the National AI Strategy 2030, with $110M earmarked for education and infrastructure. 

Why Vietnam? 

• Salaries: $15,000–$30,000/year for AI engineers. 

• Growing tech community: over 1 million IT professionals. 

• Low-cost, high-growth cities: office space costs as low as $10–$18/sq.ft. 

Considerations: 

• Language and cultural barriers may exist. 

• Legal and compliance frameworks are developing—but EOR partners can simplify setup. 

Comparison Table: AI Hiring Hotspots (2025) 

Final Thoughts 

While each of these countries presents a unique value proposition, your choice should align with your broader business strategy—whether that’s building a research hub, scaling a product team, or testing a new market. 

The good news is compliance, and operational challenges can be easily overcome with the right employment partner. They remove the red tape and let you focus on building a high-impact AI team wherever the talent is. 

Looking to expand globally with confidence? Let’s talk about how we can support your AI hiring goals, end to end.