The Need For AI
Artificial intelligence promises to deliver some of the most important innovations of the century. Emerging AI solutions include:
- Robotic assistants
- Self-driving cars
- Workforce forecasting
- Speech recognition
- Automated disease diagnosis
These will reshape how we work and live.
With the demand for talented engineers increasing in the last few years, there are unlimited opportunities and job vacancies for those who wish to work on the cutting edge of research and development in the field of artificial intelligence.
“One third of the workforce in America will need to switch occupations by 2030.”
As jobs for designing and improving AI applications increase, analysts expect economic activity to be significantly disrupted. This is because AI applications can process incomprehensible amounts of data and analyze it to produce results in very short periods, something humans aren’t capable of.
“AI will be a great transformer, improving the efficiency of many sectors … and enabling the creation of higher-value services that can lead to overall economic growth.”
Dan Ayoub, Vice President, Studio General Manager at Certain Affinity | Board Member
Disruption in the Market
Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning technologies are being adopted by companies worldwide.
Pros:
- Improved quality of operations in the corporate sector
- Large gains in certain jobs
- Advancement of skills
Cons:
- Disruption to existing markets including healthcare, customer service, banking, finance, logistics, retail, cybersecurity, transportation, marketing, defense, lifestyle
- Job losses
Industry experts state it’s unclear what positions may be forfeited and how many new ones will appear. However, the World Economic Forum predicts artificial intelligence may lead to a net increase of 58 million jobs globally.
So, considering what we are set to gain, the benefits will outweigh the costs.
AI Careers are Future-Proof
AI careers will define the future of industry. Those most in demand, according to Indeed, are:
| OCCUPATION | PERCENTAGE GROWTH (2015-2019) |
| Machine Learning Engineer | 344% |
| Robotics Engineer | 128% |
| Computer Vision Engineer | 116% |
| Data Scientist | 78% |
Qualifications to get an AI Education:
For motivated students, the rewards of an AI career far outweigh the investment of time and energy. Starting in this field usually requires one of the following Bachelor’s Degrees:
- Computer Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Related disciplines e.g., mathematics
Higher positions may require a Master’s Degree or PhD, although a college degree is no longer considered a major requirement by Google and Apple. Regardless, your success will depend largely on factors outside formal education.
“Unlike professions where the path has been laid out for decades, AI is still in its infancy, which means you may have to forge your own path and get creative.”
Entering the word of AI is not simple. An Ernst & Young report states that over half of senior professionals in the AI field believe there is a skills gap when hiring new scientists. So you need to have initiative, courage, perseverance and knowledge.
What You Need to Know
If you’re thinking about a career in artificial intelligence, here’s a starter guide:
Artificial Intelligence Courses
AI frameworks consist of overlapping disciplines. An understanding of statistical methods, for example, is just as important as a background in computer science. It may also be beneficial to take interdisciplinary courses.
Core Subjects involved in AI
| MATH AND STATISTICS | COMPUTER SCIENCE | AI CORE SUBJECTS |
| Linear Algebra Differential and Integral Calculus Matrices and Linear Transformations Integration and Approximation Modern Regression Probability Theory Bayesian Networking Probabilistic Graphical Models | Computer Systems and Programming Principles of Imperative Computation Principles of Functional Programming Data Science Essentials Parallel and Sequential Data Structures and Algorithms Logic Programming and Computational Logic Agile Software Development | Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning Information Theory, Inference, Learning Algorithms Neural Networks for Machine Learning AI Representation and Problem-Solving Natural Language Processing Computer Vision, Image Analysis |
Unfortunately, few institutes have built paths for those wishing to work in AI. And there is no standardized degree or curriculum. Therefore, it’s essential to define your own AI curriculum proactively.
“Confidence, perseverance and curiosity are good traits for any engineer or student looking to break into an emerging field, and artificial intelligence is no exception.”
Dan Ayoub, Vice President, Studio General Manager at Certain Affinity | Board Member
If you look for them, there are also supplemental programs out there. Microsoft recently announced an artificial intelligence pathway via the Microsoft Professional program, which is part of a more significant effort that includes the developer-focused AI School and AI Track. The online programs are available to anyone and provide “work-ready skills and real-world experience” as well as “hands-on labs and expert trainers.”
Machine learning and other AI related resources are also available from the University of Cambridge, Google for AI and Data Analytics, Stanford, MIT and CalTech, due to increasing demand for AI engineers.
Skills Required to Work in The AI Field:
- Programming Languages: Java, Python, SQL, C/C++, Scala, R, Perl
- Machine Learning Frameworks: Keras, Caffe, TensorFlow, PyTorch, MXNET, Theano
- Cloud Platforms: Azure, AWS, GCP
- Workflow Management Systems: Pinball, Airflow, Luigi
- Natural Language Processing Tools: spaCy, NLTK
- Big Data Tools: Kafka, Spark, HBase, Hadoop, HDFS, Hive, MapReduce, Pig
About the Writers
Product Management department at Globitel has put together research on the transformation lead by AI technology and the many careers it will add, alter, or even eliminate altogether. The department aims through this article to help graduates, high school students, or even career professionals looking to change course into Artificial Intelligence, as it provides guidelines and where to start.