Shared work between humans and robots is on the horizon as a way to potentially reduce costs and errors, and to improve productivity and quality.

Are service centers in Latin America ready to make this leap?

This is one of the central themes being discussed at a regional meeting this week in San José of Latin American shared services center leaders.

The event, organized for the fifth consecutive year by the Costa Rican Chamber of Corporate Services High Technology (CamSCAT), is an annual networking opportunity for more than 250 Latin American leaders in the services industry, and is taking place this week at the Real Intercontinental Hotel.

Corporate services are increasing and evolving year by year in Costa Rica due to factors such as the country’s strategic geographical location, its consolidated experience in outsourcing processes, a skilled and well-educated labor force, and a good overall quality of life, among others, and the country is a preferred destination for many U.S.-headquartered and other transnational corporations.

The services sector consisted of at least 147 international companies and provided about 55,000 direct jobs according to 2016 data from the pro-business Costa Rican Coalition for Development Initiatives (CINDE).

“Costa Rica stands out as the leader in high value-added service exports in Latin America. The seminar will definitely strengthen our position in the region,” said Danniza Gonzalez, president of CamSCAT.

Some of the more than 50 companies participating include SYKES, Western Union, Bridgestone, Procter & amp; Gamble, DHL, Florida Beverages, Dos Pinos, Walmart, GSS, Intel and Amazon, and leaders and exhibitors from India, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, Brazil and Uruguay will be participating.

The main focus of this year’s forum is on the “evolution of new technologies and innovation in the context of outsourced services, and their impact on strategy, digital workforce integration, value- added services, analytical processes, changing leadership, and other areas,” said CamSCAT on their Facebook page.