Artificial intelligence is one of the most rising careers in the technology industry today. And, for those aspiring a career in artificial intelligence choosing the right path for expertise route in AI can be daunting as machine learning and AI encompasses a broad spectrum of expertise.
From robotics, the use of sophisticated computer software and the automation system applications to agro-food production, medical diagnostics, manufacturing and data aggregation, the future for AI and machine learning engineers is truly promising.
What Does It Take To Pursue A Career In Artificial Intelligence?
In order to pursue a career in artificial intelligence, you will need to have a background in either technology, logic, math or even engineering.
Most entry positions in AI require that you have a degree in artificial intelligence. So, if you can’t decide on whether or not you should obtain one? We are here to help.
Choosing a specialty is not always easy. You are always curious about where it will lead you in life. While we want to pursue a job we love, it is just as important that the occupation we choose should give the salary that can sustain us, as well as other benefits.
In this article, we are looking at the top 10 best jobs that you can do with a degree in artificial intelligence.
Skills and Abilities Helpful to Careers in AI
Here’s a look at some of the skills that will enable you to succeed in the artificial intelligence specialty:
Analysis skills
Mostly, working with artificial intelligence requires you to be very analytical in nature. This allows you to have a systematic approach to problems that you will be required to solve. Which brings us to our next point
Ability to solve problems
Having the ability to solve problems does not only mean to keep working on a predicament until it is fixed. It also means you have to be able to solve the problem using the most cost-effective and efficient solutions.
Technical skills
Having technical skills allows you to effectively design, maintain and repair technology as well as software programs.
Ability to translate technical information
As an artificial intelligence professional, you must be able to translate highly technical information
Communication skills
Communication is one of the most important skills that you, as a candidate in artificial intelligence, must develop.
Having good communication skills means that you should be proficient in both written and verbal, which will allow you to communicate with colleagues as well as stakeholders.
However, the best way to acquire the above skills, it is important that you should conduct an extensive research on the various career choices available within the discipline.
Machine Learning Researchers
A machine learning researcher (alternatively known as an artificial intelligence research scientist) is an operative who has in-depth knowledge in several AI fields, such as machine learning, deep learning, computer perception, computational statistics, and the list goes on.
To pursue a career as a machine learning researcher, you must first have a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence.
On the other hand, you can go for other programming-related programs such as computer science or information technology.
To increase your chances of employment and develop an expertise in the field, it is essential that you should upgrade to a master’s or a doctoral degree in either computer science or other related technical field. Work experience is also another part that will prove that you have the workplace skills.
Besides that, you will need to develop and deeper knowledge of parallel computing, distributed computing, benchmarking, as well as artificial intelligence.
Since the universe is moving into a more digital and computerized life, machine learning researchers and artificial intelligence experts will likely be on the developmental end of artificial learning as well as machine learning applications for many years to come.
AI Engineer
Artificial Intelligence engineers are computer programmers that possess strong software skills who can apply complex predictive models and process large sets of data.
These engineers are said to use machine language in order to programme machines to perform specific tasks that, in response, support a particular organization’s goals.
For a career as an artificial intelligence engineer, you will need to have a background in applied research
Also, you have to develop an in-depth understanding of programming languages, such as Java and Python, among others. A strong background in data science should take you a long way.
Previous experience to a swift development environment will put you on the spotlight, along with a master’s or doctoral degree in subjects like computer science.
Data mining and Analyst
If you are naturally curious about numbers, then a career in data mining and analysis would suit you perfectly.
Compared to other specialists, data analysts are in high demand across all industries. They can be working banking and finance, consulting, business, laboratories or pharmaceuticals, as well as educational institutions.
In order to succeed as a data mining and analysis expert, you should be able to demonstrate skills such as detail orientation, self-motivate and ability to work as a team as well as independently when it is required.
Above all, data analysts must have excellent communication skills. Besides knowing how to analyze data, they must be able to provide an insight through rich visual, written as well as verbal communication.
As a data analyst, you will be required to set up and sustain computerized data processes, develop records management policies and closely observe the quality of the data before, during and after it has been processed. Frequently, you will identify areas to increase efficiency and act accordingly.
In terms of the salary, entry-level candidates will earn a pay ranging from £24,000 to about £25,000. Graduates in data analysis tend to receive a higher starting salary between £29,000 and £30,000, especially in larger organizations.
Once you have gained enough experience in the field, your salary can rise to the region of £30,000 and £35,000. Senior positions and consulting jobs can fetch you an excess of £60,000.
Machine learning engineer
Machine learning engineers typically use their programming knowledge in order to develop systems that’s assist in various organizational activities. They’re mostly in control of building and managing platforms for machine learning projects.
The duties of a machine learning engineer are closely similar to that of an artificial intelligence engineer, which we spoke about earlier. In fact, the role of a machine learning engineer is said to be at the heart of Artificial Intelligence projects.
In terms of the qualifications, you will need to have a minimum of an undergraduate degree in artificial intelligence in order to pursue a career as a machine learning engineer.
However, most employers tend to hire individuals who possess a master’s or doctoral degree in mathematics or computer science.
Most hiring companies also require applicants to be specialists in machine learning, deep learning, with strong computer programming skills, analytical skills, and demonstrate knowledge of working with cloud applications. It is always important to do your research on the requirements before applying.
Machine learning engineering is one of the most lucrative careers that give you an average six-figure salary of $114,856 annually.
Data scientist
In this day and age, companies are increasingly using and collecting larger amounts of data during their routine operations.
Whether it is predicting what people will/won’t buy or assessing the level an intensity of pollution in a particular area, the data scientist uses collected data in order to come up with possible patterns that will assist in solving various problems.
The main purpose of data scientists is to turn raw data into meaningful information that companies and stakeholders can use to improve their businesses.
As a data scientist, you will extract and analyze large amounts of data from a wide variety of sources. Also, you are supposed to understand the data that you are working on. In other words, you have to read between the lines.
When the data is collected, you will often use algorithmic, artificial intelligence, machine learning and statistical tools.
After analyzing and categorizing the data, you will be required to present the data to all interested parties. As such, it is very fundamental that a data scientist should have communication as well as presentation skills.
Besides communication skills, you will obviously need to possess technical skills that will allow you to work around with computers efficiently.
In terms of the salaries, junior data scientists tend to start at around £25,000 to somewhere around £30,000. Once you have acquired experience in the field, you should be able to earn between £40,000 and £60,000.
Data scientists that are in senior positions, who are also called lead or chief data scientists, are said to earn even more than £60,000, with a fraction of them earning around £100,000.
Business intelligence (BI) developer
Next up, careers in artificial intelligence also consist of the position of a business intelligence (or BI) developer.
Largely, a business intelligence developer is an expert whose role is to analyze complex data sets in order to identify business as well as market trends.
As a business intelligence developer, you play a significant role in improving the efficiency and profitability of any business.
Leading companies AI technology hire business intelligence developers to specifically be responsible for designing, modeling, and maintaining complex data in highly accessible cloud-based data platforms.
If you want to become a business intelligence developer, you have to possess a strong combination of skills like technical and analytical skills, which will allow you to work your way around data easily.
On top of that, it is very important that you have communication skills in both verbal and written communications. This will allow you to effectively communicate with stakeholders and other parties during meetings.
In terms of the qualification, you are only required to possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, or any other related field.
That’s unlike other occupations on this list where you have to own a higher degree such as a master’s or PhD.
Nonetheless, having some on-the-job experience as well as certifications will likely rank you on the top of every potential employer’s list.
Since a world of artificial intelligence keeps expanding, we are certain that the demand for business intelligence developers will continue to be high in the future. Currently, business intelligence developers are said to earn an average salary of $92,278 per annum.
Business Process Analyst
Generally, business process analysts (BPAs) work with business teams as well as IT Departments to learn the best ways of designing a number of new processes and, in response, decipher problems, particularly the ones that are process-related.
From the point above, we know that business Process Analysts have an understanding of business process reengineering and process mapping. Hence, much of their work revolves around mapping existing processes and designing better ones.
A Business Process Analyst normally has the ability to assemble a large amount of information within a process structure.
As a Business process analyst, you will often be required to holding meetings, during which you may be involved in documenting trials and presenting new process designs to interested parties for discussion.
Furthermore, you will be researching processes, collecting data and analyzing information for presentations. Also, you will be analyzing business processes with the aim of trying of trying to find out how they can either be upgraded or computerized.
You will also be involved in other activities such as managing process change while monitoring, measuring and providing feedback on the performance of the processes.
On top of that, you will be educating business users that are responsible for managing business processes.
Business Process Analysts are often required to have an in-depth understanding of how ERP, BPM, CRM as well as how BI tools operate.
Alternatively, you need to understand the usage of protocols like SOAP, WSDL, XML and many other key protocols.
As a business Process Analyst, you must be able to see the big picture of various projects that are assigned to you. In this case, you will need to understand the project goals and keep everyone oriented to those goals.
The average salary that business process analysts receive is £37,500, particularly smaller companies. In the case of large organization, you should expect a salary over £80,000, even though this is not very common.
Customer Experience and Acquisition
Customer Experience and Acquisition managers generally oversee a company’s purchasing activities as well as its communications with customers and various stakeholders.
As a customer experience and acquisition manager, you are involved finding and researching prospective purchase deals, discussing purchase contracts, and finalizing various purchases.
You will normally work for 40 or more hours a week in an office setting, and may be required to travel occasionally.
Employers often search for individuals that demonstrate computer, leadership, negotiation, as well as finance skills.
On a typical day, you will be required to review potential or proposed acquisitions. In this way, you will be ensuring that such acquisitions are appropriate for the company strategically or even financially.
Once you have identified potential acquisitions, you are supposed to use your negotiation skills to get the best deal for your organization while making sure that the deal is just as beneficial to the seller or supplier.
Once the deals have been completed, acquisition managers are responsible for creating and maintaining reports of the purchases for future reference. Some of the things you will record are items purchased, item costs and inventories. You will also be required to develop long-term acquisitions strategies.
In order to succeed in this field, you need to develop an essential set of skills ranging from Communication skills in both written and oral –since you will often be interacting with company executives and other levels of staff, Organization skills, which will allow you to multitask when required.
You certainly also need to be Detail oriented and have mathematical skills.
The salary range for customer experience and acquisition managers ranges from $15,000 to about $111,000.
Manufacturing consultant
Manufacturing consultants mainly work to assist companies in improving the quality of their goods.
Just as in most professions, you must have a great balance of specific education as well as work experience is you want to become a manufacturing consultant.
When you have acquired enough experience, you can go on and start your own independent firm or even create a partnership with other consultants. The possibilities are endless.
With a bachelor of science in artificial intelligence, you can begin your career as a manufacturing consultant. You can also pursue this career with a degree in engineering or any other related discipline.
Most manufacturing consultants possess a master’s degree in the field, so you might opt on obtaining one, which will increase your chances in future senior positions.
AI and robotics engineering lecturer
Last but not least, you could work as an AI and robotics engineering lecturer. In this position, you are required to actively engage with new educational models and adapt to new technology-enhanced learning, teaching approaches.
Also, you are expected to have an entrepreneurial way of thinking, which should be in line with the philosophy of the campus and college. On you day to day, you have the duty to deliver high-quality instruction to undergraduate as well as graduate students, while keeping all students under supervision.
As a lecturer, you will be providing administrative service to the School, the University and its stakeholders, as well as and conduct research, as shown by journals.
In order to succeed in this field, you will need to possess a strong team-work spirit and have the passion for engaging with undergraduate and graduate students.
Also, you have to be curious and creative, not to mention you have to be committed to education as an integrated and transformational process.
You can start off this career with a bachelor of science in artificial intelligence, after which you will have to upgrade to a master’s and PhD degree either in electrical engineering, computer science, robotics systems or any other closely-aligned specialty.