How to land a job in AI

When we think of Artificial Intelligence (AI), we might think of things already considered mainstream, like Siri or customer service chatbots. However, there’s so much more to the field of AI. Careers in this rapidly expanding field are also growing exponentially. Job growth in this sector is projected to increase by 23 percent over the next decade. This is a great time to enter this fast-growing field. 

In this article, we’ll discuss beginning a career in AI, including:

• How do I start a career in AI?

• How to get into AI without coding?

• Is a career in AI worth it?

How do I start a career in AI?

As with many careers, a career in AI does require some planning and specialized training. In general, you’ll need the following qualifications to work in artificial intelligence:

• Complete an undergraduate degree in computer science, or Information Technology (IT). You’ll also benefit from courses in math and statistics.

• Obtain certifications and experience in areas such as data analysis, machine learning, neural networks, and language processing. These can often be done online.

• Choose an area to specialize in, such as robotics, medicine, business intelligence, or deep learning.

• Create a portfolio of your work that incorporates your own projects, AI “hackathons” or collaborate on open-source projects. 

• Get some practical experience with internships, research projects, or industrial partnerships. 

Don’t forget to also stay on top of the current industry trends and developments by networking, going to conferences, and reading widely on the topic.

Can I get into AI without a coding background?

Traditionally,  a career in AI will most certainly require a background in programming and programs such as Python, C/C++, and MATLAB, which can’t be learned from watching YouTube videos or reading a book. However, recent advancements in technology have led to AI solutions like no-code and low-code AI, which allow people to work in AI without a background in coding. The main benefit of these types of coding options is that they open up the field of AI to non-coders, which is a plus. The current demand for AI engineers with coding backgrounds far exceeds the current supply of qualified workers. However, if you plan to move up in this field, you’ll probably want to seek out the required certifications and education at some point.

Is a career in AI worth it?

It certainly can be. AI is expanding into the medical field with life-saving tech applications that help doctors detect and diagnose diseases that were previously difficult to do. Add to that the development of self-driving vehicles and drones, manufacturing, and cybersecurity, and someone working in AI can help shape the future. And with the field constantly changing and developing, a career in AI can be stable, pay well, have room for growth, as well as being on the cutting edge of technology. While it’s estimated that approximately 300 million jobs could be replaced or affected by AI, experts also believe that AI will contribute to the creation of millions of other jobs and contribute to employee engagement and creativity. So it’s a matter of deciding if a career in AI fits your skills, interests, and talents.

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Key takeaways

1. In general, a career in AI will require at least a bachelor's degree in computer science as well as specialized certifications in multiple computer languages.

2. There are AI careers that don’t require a coding background, such as positions in no-code and low-code AI.

3. A career in AI can be worth it due to its effect on multiple industries, high job growth, and good starting pay.