How to Work in Artificial Intelligence

A bachelor's degree in computer science or a related major is required to work in artificial intelligence. Also, consider pursuing a postgraduate degree in the field and build your experience and portfolio. Learn more about various jobs you can get in AI, the skills and educational requirements needed to enter it, salary information, and possible career paths you can take in AI.

Investigate jobs in AI

The first step to getting started is to research which jobs within the field of AI you’d like to pursue so that you can tailor your education and build your skills as needed.  The top 10 jobs involving AI skills as:

•Director of analytics: Directs the data analytics and data warehousing departments and is in charge of research, development, and implementation of relevant data systems

•Principal scientist: Designs, executes, and documents research experiments in many fields and industries as part of a research team

•Machine learning engineer: Generates programs that enable machines to take actions without being specifically directed to perform various tasks

•Computer vision engineer: Uses computer vision and machine learning research to solve real-world problems in real-time

•Data scientist: Utilizes coding and other computer programming to collate and store data efficiently

•Data engineer: Finds ways to improve data quality and reliability, combining new information to create formats that machines can read through and understand

•Algorithm engineer: Assists clients in understanding more prominent data trends and reporting on these trends

•Computer scientist: Designs innovative uses for new and existing computing technology, solving computing problems in various industries

•Statistician: Creates or uses different mathematical or statistical theories and methods to gather and explain the numerical data findings for a given project

•Research engineer: Utilizes educated research findings to create a reliable answer for problems at hand

Develop skills needed in AI  

You can expect to hone several skills when preparing to work in artificial intelligence. There are many branches of AI, but most have some core commonalities. You can build many of these skills through self-guided practice, learn via online courses or boot camps, or develop through coursework when earning a degree.

Learn technical skills

You’ll notice many jobs in AI lean on proficiency in programming languages and coding. In fact, coding is one of the very first skills many people interested in this field learn. Expect to also work with a variety of computer systems. A few essential technical skills to build upon include the following:

•General-purpose languages: Python and C/C++

•Database management: Apache Cassandra, Couchbase, DynamoDB

•Data analysis and statistics: MATLAB, R, Pandas

•AI platforms: Microsoft Azure AI, Google Cloud AI, IBM Watson

•Data acquisition systems: Physical sensors and wireless sensors

•Digital marketing goals and strategies

•Industry knowledge

Build workplace skills

Workplace skills aren’t always something you can learn through courses but rather an experience. Consider working on these human skills when thinking about pursuing a career in artificial intelligence:

•Communication skills

•Effective collaboration

•Analytical skills

•Problem-solving skills

•Management and leadership skills

Educational requirements

Educational requirements are one of the first requirements you’ll want to meet when breaking into artificial intelligence. These requirements will vary by job type, whether the position is entry-level or higher, and the industry.

Understand the degree type

Expect most jobs in AI to require a bachelor’s degree or higher. For some entry-level positions, you may only need an associate degree or no degree, but that’s not too common. If you want to build a career for yourself in the field of artificial intelligence, it’s probably a good idea to earn at least your bachelor’s degree. As for what field of study to focus on, most individuals working in AI obtain undergraduate degrees in computer science, mathematics, or a related field.

Gain certifications

If you already have your undergraduate degree in a field related to AI, consider enrolling in courses to learn some of the technical skills you’ll need working in artificial intelligence. Even if you don’t have your degree, certifications show potential employers that you’re serious about your career goals and make you a more attractive candidate. Some AI certifications to consider include:

•MIT: Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy

•USAII:  

o Certified Artificial Intelligence Engineer

o Certified Artificial Intelligence Consultant

o Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist

•ARTIBA: Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Job outlook

The outlook is quite bright for artificial intelligence jobs, good news for anyone working in the growing field of AI. In fact, machine learning engineers and data scientists have made the top of the list on Best Jobs for the past few years.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) groups careers in artificial intelligence with computer and information research scientists and notes the employment of computer and information research scientists is projected to grow 22 percent from 2020 to 2030. This is much faster than average. In 2021, the median yearly wage for this job was $131,490.

Explore possible career paths in AI

Four of the most common occupations in the AI field are machine learning engineer, robotics engineer, computer vision engineer, and data scientist. Getting on a career path to lead to one of these jobs is a smart move if you’re planning a long-term career in artificial intelligence.

One possible career path to becoming a machine learning engineer, for example, would be to get hired into an artificial intelligence entry-level job like a software engineer, software programmer, or software developer. You'll need a bachelor’s degree for these entry-level jobs.

Your next step is to earn your master’s degree in data science, computer science, software engineering, or similar. You may also want to work on gaining some certifications, building your skills, and creating your portfolio. Finally, apply for the machine learning engineer position, an upper-level position that pays very well. In fact, it’s one of the highest-paying positions in the field of AI.

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