Who is building the future and who is blocking it
A look at Brazil, Chile, and the next wave of global tech competition.
Hey there,
I just got back from a few days in San Francisco. The weather was nice, I played some golf, and had some great conversations. I met with clients, caught up with founders I hadn’t seen in a while, and had one of those weeks that reminds me how important it is to meet face-to-face.
Trips like this always help me get a fresh perspective. Stepping out of your routine, talking with smart people, and hearing how other teams are planning for next year can inspire you to come back ready to make changes.
Now that I’m back and settled, I have some open time on my calendar. If you’d like to talk about your hiring plan for 2026 or review any gaps in your current team, just let me know. Planning ahead in Q4 is always best, before things get busy in January.
Let’s get into it.
🌐 News Shortlist
1. The Entry-Level Collapse No One Wants to Admit
Recap: New data shows entry-level white-collar jobs in the U.S. are basically disappearing. Only 30 per cent of recent grads landed a job in their field. Entry-level job postings are down 35 per cent. Tech hiring for juniors has fallen by more than 50 per cent since 2019. The main reason is simple: AI now handles many of the tasks that junior employees used to do.
If you’re a young professional looking for your first job, I understand this feels unfair. You worked hard and did everything you were told, but now the path you expected is disappearing.
But here’s the tough truth. When the usual path is gone, your network becomes your way forward.
Networking has always mattered, but now it’s crucial. If companies aren’t posting junior jobs, trust is your ticket in. You need someone to recommend you, share your résumé with the right person, or give you a shot when the usual system won’t.
For founders, there’s another side to this: the slowdown in entry-level hiring is an opportunity. Many talented and motivated people are searching for a break. If you invest in training junior employees, you’ll gain loyalty, fast learners, and appreciation that senior hires might not give. But you have to make this a deliberate choice.
Advice:
If you’re beginning your career, put your energy into building your network. It matters now more than ever. Connect with people, ask questions, offer your help, and let others notice your hard work.
If you’re a founder, don’t just watch Big Tech’s hiring freeze from the sidelines. Use this moment to your advantage. Build your own talent pipeline. Train new people. Someone needs to shape the next generation of leaders—it could be you.
2. Chile’s AI Law Fight Is Really a Politics Story
Recap: Chile is about to pass one of the world’s toughest AI regulation packages. The bill sorts AI systems by risk, bans those it calls “unacceptable,” and sets fines as high as 1.5 million dollars. Big Tech is fighting back, saying the rules could slow investment just as Chile is becoming a regional data and infrastructure hub.
This debate is unfolding during a major political shift. The first round of Chile’s presidential election just took place, and the right-wing candidate is expected to win the runoff. If that happens, the country’s regulatory direction could change completely.
A new government would probably focus on attracting investment and encouraging tech growth. That means less regulation and more efforts to bring in capital. The message would shift to “bring your data centers here” instead of “build with guardrails first.”
If you’re considering entering Chile’s AI, fintech, or data infrastructure sectors and these new rules seem daunting, keep a close watch. The environment could change dramatically in the next few months.
This debate is bigger than just AI policy, but about which political vision will shape Chile’s tech growth over the next decade.
Advice:
If you’re planning to do business in Chile, stay flexible. Don’t overreact to the current bill, since the rules could change quickly if the government shifts. In Latin America, tech trends often follow political cycles. Smart founders keep their options open and act when the timing is right.
3. Brazil Is Becoming the Region’s Big Winner in the AI Shuffle
Recap: While Chile struggles with how to regulate AI, Brazil is taking a different approach. The U.S. and Brazil are quietly working together to boost tech cooperation in areas like AI infrastructure, data centers, and critical minerals. The U.S. is looking to limit China’s influence in the region. Brazil is focused on achieving ‘AI sovereignty,’ lowering computing costs, and using open-source models that are not fully dependent on foreign technology. And because Brazil runs on 90 percent renewable energy and has massive rare earth reserves, everyone suddenly wants to build their next-generation data centers there.
Brazil is acting like other ambitious economies during big global changes by welcoming investment rather than pushing it away. While Argentina is in the news for the OpenAI megaproject, Brazil is taking a slower, more steady approach by building a long-term strategic partnership.
Compare this to Chile. Chile is discussing bans, rules, fines, and risk categories. Brazil, on the other hand, is inviting companies to build there. This shows the difference between being cautious and aiming to win.
The timing works well for Brazil. The U.S. is looking for a regional partner. Lula wants investment that supports independence, not dependence. Companies want more affordable, eco-friendly computing. Founders want access to many skilled engineers who can build key infrastructure.
Chile will attract careful pilots. Brazil will attract the big checks.
Advice:
If you are working in AI, fintech, or cloud infrastructure, pay attention to Brazil. It is quickly becoming the main place for anyone looking to grow AI projects in Latin America. For founders, the main lesson is clear: when one market is slowed down by regulation, another opens up with new chances. Go where the momentum is.
That’s it for this week.
If you’re starting to plan your 2026 team, this is a great time to get moving. The founders who succeed are the ones who plan in focused bursts, not last-minute rushes. I have some open slots on my calendar and would be glad to share what I’m seeing in the market and help you build a strategy that works.
If you found this edition helpful, please share it with another founder who should start thinking about their team before the year is over.
Until next time,
Joseph Burns
CEO & Founder, Lupa