Exploring career paths in artificial intelligence (AI)

Over the past few years, the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been rapidly gaining momentum and has become increasingly prevalent in various technological domains. Its proficiency in automating and transforming various tasks has rendered it an indispensable part of many industries. Consequently, there is a rising requirement for AI professionals who can skillfully design, develop, and implement AI systems to help organizations leverage this technology. Such AI experts can be in the form of machine learning engineers, AI developers, data scientists, or AI researchers, possessing a comprehensive background in computer science, mathematics, and data analysis. These individuals are well-versed in programming languages like Python, Javascript. Java, and/or C++, along with various AI/ML/NLP frameworks. The surging demand for AI professionals has opened up numerous opportunities for individuals to enter this field through online resources, certification programs, and university courses. Given the potential for innovation and growth that AI offers, it is essential to have skilled AI professionals who can harness its power to enhance our lives.

In India alone, AI will create 4.5 Million jobs by 2025, which is 100X from the current job openings in AI, i.e. 45 thousand.

Industries that are utilizing AI:

Healthcare: AI is being used in healthcare to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Applications of AI in healthcare include medical imaging, drug discovery, virtual nursing assistants, and personalized medicine.

Financial Services: AI is used in financial services to improve risk management, fraud detection, customer service, and investment analysis. Applications of AI in financial services include chatbots, robo-advisors, algorithmic trading, credit risk analysis, and insurance underwriting.

Retail: AI is being used in retail to improve customer experience, increase sales, and optimize operations. Applications of AI in retail include recommendation engines, chatbots, inventory management, and supply chain optimization.

Manufacturing: AI is being used in manufacturing to improve production efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize supply chain management. Applications of AI in manufacturing include predictive maintenance, quality control, and process optimization.

Transportation: AI is being used in transportation to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase efficiency. Applications of AI in transportation include self-driving vehicles, traffic prediction, and logistics optimization.

Education: AI is being used in education to improve student outcomes, personalize learning, and optimize educational resources. Applications of AI in education include personalized learning platforms, intelligent tutoring systems, and predictive analytics for student performance.

Travel and Tourism: AI is being used in travel and tourism to provide personalized recommendations, chatbots and virtual assistants, price optimization, ticket booking, fraud detection, safety and security measures, and language translation.

Banking: AI is being used in banking to improve customer service, fraud detection, risk management, and compliance. Applications of AI in banking include chatbots, credit scoring, fraud detection, and regulatory compliance.

Insurance: AI is being used in insurance to improve risk assessment, fraud detection, recommendations, and claims management. Applications of AI in insurance include underwriting, claims processing, and customer service.

A new report finds that by 2030, more than 85 million jobs could go unfilled because there aren’t enough skilled people to take them.

As the demand for AI professionals in various industries is high, it’s important to note that the field of AI is still evolving and there are many areas of specialization within it. Pursuing a career in AI may require a strong foundation in math, computer science, programming and even domain skills. While there is certainly an opportunity to make an impact in this field, it’s important for individuals to carefully consider their interests and skill set before pursuing a career in AI.

Roles in AI:

• Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer is responsible for creating algorithms that enable machines to learn and make decisions based on data. Machine Learning Engineers typically have a background in computer science, mathematics, or a related field. They use their expertise in programming, data analysis, and statistics to develop and improve machine-learning models.

• Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret complex data sets to help organisations make better decisions. They work closely with business leaders to understand their needs and develop data-driven solutions. Data Scientists typically have a background in statistics, mathematics, or computer science, and they need to be skilled in data analysis and machine learning.

• AI Research Scientist

AI Research Scientists are responsible for developing new AI algorithms and techniques to solve complex problems. They work on cutting-edge research projects and collaborate with other scientists to develop new AI models. AI Research Scientists typically have a Ph.D. in computer science, mathematics, or a related field, and they need to be highly skilled in machine learning, programming, and data analysis.

• Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers are responsible for designing and developing robots and other automated systems. They work on a variety of projects, including manufacturing, healthcare, and defense. Robotics Engineers typically have a background in mechanical or electrical engineering, and they need to be skilled in programming, electronics, and automation.

• Natural Language Processing/ChatBot Engineer 

NLP Engineers are responsible for developing algorithms that enable computers to understand and interpret human language. They work on a variety of projects, including chatbots, virtual assistants, and language translation. NLP Engineers typically have a background in computer science or linguistics, and they need to be skilled in programming, linguistics, and machine learning. Generative AI (LLMs) also need Human Trainers/Labellers. A recent report by Gartner estimates the conversational AI platform market is growing 55% year-over-year. Currently, chatbots are the most widely used kind of AI in businesses. Over the next two to five years, their adoption rates are predicted to nearly double. By 2023, AI-powered chatbots are expected to save up to 5 billion work hours. Contact center deployments using conversational AI will save labor expenses by $80 billion by 2026.

• Computer Vision Engineer

Computer Vision Engineers are responsible for developing algorithms that enable computers to interpret and analyze visual data, such as images and videos. They work on a variety of projects, including autonomous vehicles, security systems, and medical imaging.

• AI Ethics And Governance Specialist

AI Ethics and Governance Specialists are responsible for ensuring that AI systems are developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner. They work closely with business leaders and policymakers to develop guidelines and regulations for the use of AI. AI Ethics and Governance Specialists typically have a background in law, philosophy, or a related field, and they need to be skilled in ethics, policy development, and risk management.

In conclusion, pursuing a career in Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers numerous opportunities for individuals with a background in computer science, mathematics, and data analysis. The surging demand for AI professionals is prevalent across various industries, including healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, transportation, education, travel and tourism, banking, and insurance. There are several roles in AI, including Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, AI Research Scientist, Robotics Engineer, NLP/Chatbot Engineer, Computer Vision Engineer, and AI Ethics and Governance Specialist. Pursuing a career in AI requires a strong foundation in math, computer science, programming, and domain knowledge, and individuals should carefully consider their interests and skill set before pursuing a career in AI. With the rapid growth and development of AI, skilled AI professionals are essential in harnessing its power to transform the way we live and work.