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5 top tips for building winning AI teams
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Organisations need more than just cutting-edge tools to fully embrace the potential of AI; they need the right talent to drive meaningful change. This means building teams that not only understand the technology but can also apply it creatively and responsibly across diverse contexts. As AI reshapes industries, success will depend on tapping into a broad spectrum of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. That includes fostering generational diversity, where digital natives bring fresh thinking, and seasoned professionals offer strategic depth. Equally important is creating inclusive teams that reflect the diversity of the customers they serve, because the best AI solutions are built by people who understand real-world complexity from multiple angles.
Here are five top tips to help you build the right talent foundation to fully embrace AI:
Think globally when hiring technology talent
Access to technological talent remains one of the biggest barriers to developing custom software that truly differentiates a business, especially in the context of AI. In the UK and other Western countries, companies can often struggle to find enough skilled professionals due to high labour costs, a limited pipeline of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates, and intense competition for talent across industries. In contrast, countries like India and Vietnam have made strategic investments in STEM education and built scalable, cost-effective talent ecosystems. Their mature outsourcing models and focus on AI-relevant skills give them an edge in meeting global demand. As AI accelerates the need for specialised capabilities, this talent gap risks leaving many Western businesses behind unless they rethink how they source, develop, and retain technology talent.
| Tip: Consider global hiring or working with offshore development partners. It’s not just cost-effective, it’s often where the best talent is. Countries like Vietnam have built strong, scalable tech ecosystems that can support fast-moving AI initiatives. |
Make learning part of the culture
AI moves fast. So fast that annual training plans just don’t cut it anymore. Yet many organisations still treat upskilling as a once-in-a-while exercise. If you're serious about AI, your learning culture needs to be continuous and agile. Whilst this sounds like an obvious move, many businesses still don’t pay enough attention to upskilling, and in an area like AI, where technology is changing by the hour, you need to offer training in key areas like AI ethics and regulations as well as the underpinning technologies.
| Tip: Focus on skills like machine learning, data engineering, and AI ethics. Break down silos by encouraging cross-functional learning, and make sure your tech architecture can evolve with the tools your team is learning to use. |
Embracing diverse thinking
AI is only as good as the people who build it. Diverse teams create more innovative, inclusive, and ethical AI systems. To fully harness the potential of AI, businesses must not only secure the right technical expertise but also pay close attention to having a diverse team, particularly addressing the gender imbalance in technology. In regions like the UK, far fewer women pursue careers in tech compared to countries like Vietnam, where gender ratios in technology roles are more balanced. This disparity often begins in early education, where societal perceptions and a lack of visible role models discourage girls from pursuing STEM subjects. Research also highlights behavioural differences in learning environments—boys are more likely to take risks by answering questions, while girls may hold back unless they’re certain, which can limit their engagement in technical subjects. To build a sustainable and inclusive AI workforce, companies could look to invest in mentorship programs and build global talent partnerships.
| Tip: Representation matters, so having visible role models in technology roles is key. Mentorship can make a huge difference, too, especially for young women entering the field. And don’t forget to consider global partnerships that bring in diverse perspectives. Sometimes the best way to shift the status quo is to learn from places doing it better. |
Run, grow and transform: You don’t have to do it all yourself
Trying to keep up with AI innovation while managing daily operations is a big ask.
New use cases for AI, automation, and machine learning are emerging constantly, but applying them to legacy systems is a major challenge. Many architectural models and best practices become outdated quickly, requiring constant upskilling and adaptability.
That’s where external partners can help. Partnering isn’t about offloading; it’s about staying agile and finding partners to complement and address the areas of expertise you need, whether that’s a team to help you keep the lights on or a team to help drive innovation and growth. The constant balancing act of ‘Run, Grow, and Transform’ proves a constant challenge for many as businesses often struggle to balance these priorities.
| Tip: Don’t try to juggle everything. Let expert partners support you and give you the breathing room to do your best work. |
Hire with the future in mind
If you’re going to grow your in-house team, hire for curiosity and adaptability, not just credentials. AI evolves fast, so you need people who love learning, not just those who’ve checked the traditional boxes.
And don’t be afraid to get specific. Create purpose-driven roles around AI that move beyond generic job titles. Roles such as "AI Product Manager," "ML Ops Engineer," or "Responsible AI Lead" to attract purpose-driven talent and give employees a clear sense of mission in building the future.
| Tip: Look for problem-solvers who thrive in uncertainty and enjoy experimenting. They're the ones who’ll grow with your business as AI evolves. |
Why global talent (like Vietnam and India) can be a game changer
If you’re considering working with an external partner or global hiring, Vietnam and India should be on your radar. Here’s why:
- Vietnam’s STEM pipeline: There were 128,000 STEM grads in 2022, and STEM is growing fast, especially in Computer Science and IT. India also has a strong education system centred around STEM.
The Indian government has recognised the importance of the IT sector and has implemented various policies to encourage its growth. This includes tax incentives, subsidies, and other benefits for IT companies.
- Gender balance: There are more women in technology compared to many Western countries. In Vietnam, NashTech’s own workforce has a 51.42% female, 48.58% male split and a 69.05% male, 30.95% female split in India.
- Vietnam has a young, skilled workforce: Nearly 60% of developers are in their 20s, and many already have several years of experience. Similarly, India has a large population with a large talent pool to draw from
- Top global rankings: Vietnam ranks high in coding performance and outsourcing destinations.
- Built for scale: In Vietnam, there were ~550,000+ engineers as of 2023, with 55,000 new grads entering the workforce every year.
Ready to access an AI dream team?
When you're building AI systems that need to evolve quickly and scale globally, tapping into dynamic, future-ready talent makes all the difference. Whether you’re looking to explore global talent or bring in expert support to scale faster, NashTech has the experience and reach to help you get there. Let’s talk about how we can future-proof your AI strategy with the right people and smart partnerships.
Get in touch with us today and start building the team that will shape your AI future.
