How to Start a Career in Artificial Intelligence

When artificial intelligence (AI) begins to penetrate different fields, it’s becoming clear that the tech future is already here. There are also talks that AI will soon remove human jobs and take the driving seat. It’s not entirely true, though because even those changes will generate new forms of work.

From chatbots to voice assist robots, AI has proven that it’s here to stay. So, it’s high time for people to start training for careers int the field of AI. Artificial intelligence recently made headlines after people began saying Alexa was laughing suddenly. Such news stories led to the usual jokes about computers taking over the planet. 

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And, while that may not be the reality, it certainly is becoming increasing present in our lives. Just the fact that nine out of ten Americans use AI technology every day in one way or another means it’s a viable career choice. Learn more about a career in artificial intelligence below.

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What it Means to be in the AI Industry

Anand Narayanan at Simplilearn and Ronald Van Loon, member of the Simplilearn advisory board, addressed the future of AI and machine learning as career paths during a Simplilearn fireside talk. They delved into different types of available jobs, and the preparation that is  required to get them.

Lately, AI is getting even more attention thanks to recent developments that have made headlines, given Alexa ‘s unexpected laugh. But AI has been a sound career choice for a while now due to growing industry-wide adoption of the technology and the need for trained professionals to do the jobs created by that growth. 

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Pundits estimate that by 2020, AI will generate about 2.3 million jobs. Nonetheless, it is also expected that this technology would wipe out more than 1.7 million workers worldwide, resulting in about half a million new jobs.

Also, AI provides other particular and viable career chances. AI is used in virtually every industry, from entertainment to transportation, and we have a tremendous need for experienced, trained professionals.

How to Get Started

Understand the Career Landscape

AI has been a sound career choice for a while now and, as AI adoption continues to grow in different industries, demand for trained professionals to do the jobs created by this growth is skyrocketing. 

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Although many AI pundits have prophesied that this technology will wipe out a massive amount of human jobs, there will be many unique and viable career opportunities created from this shift. So if you’re an AI enthusiast, then be confident and plan for a great AI career.

Research the Following Job Roles

  • Machine Learning Engineer: It is considered to be one of the most sought-after career jobs in the AI space. To be a machine learning engineer, one must be genuinely interested in software engineering, know how to implement predictive models, and use natural language processing when working with massive data sets.
  • Robotic scientist: A robotic scientist is someone with extensive formal education, which creates mechanical devices to perform different tasks — whether it’s robots to go where humans can’t go or robotic hands for microscopic research. A robot could automate work, but it requires somebody who can build robots.
  • Research Scientist: A researcher is responsible for planning, carrying out, and analyzing data from monitored laboratory-based inquiries, studies, and trials. Also, one should have a good knowledge of various disciplines of AI to be a research scientist.
  • Business Intelligence Developer: In recent years, the demand for developers of business intelligence has skyrocketed. A BI developer spends a lot of time researching and planning solutions within the company to existing problems. A developer of BI plays a vital role in increasing the organization’s profitability and efficiency by analyzing complex data or looking for current business.

Educational Requirements

If you’re fascinated by AI and wonder how to get started, then the first and foremost step is to hold a BA in mathematics and computer science. Most of the time, however, a Bachelor’s degree only lands you an entry-level position, but at least it will get you started. 

Therefore, once you get into the industry, you can prepare your future career and understand how things work. That being said, if you want to hold positions involving supervision, leadership, or administrative roles, you need a Master’s or Doctoral degree.

Acquire the Following Skills

Build a foundation in these areas before you go diving into AI.

  • Coding expertise with popular programming languages like Python, Java, Julia, Lisp, etc
  • Physics, Engineering, and Robotics
  • Mathematics: geometry, calculus, algorithms and logic, probability, and statistics 
  • Bayesian networking (Neural Nets included)

Apply Through Job Boards

Today job sites are the most common tool for securing employment. The platforms make it easier for the work seeker to find jobs that suit them well, with a simple and powerful GUI. From recruiting company sites to direct work/employment posts, it is all available. So, you can search sites such as Indeed or Glassdoor for such positions. 

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Conclusion

How does one search? Just type in the keyword and location of the respective work description. Only click apply when you find the job you’ve been waiting for. You can also sign up and build a profile, so you can apply for jobs easier.