Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting and in-demand fields in the technology industry today. Everywhere you look, there are mentions of widespread AI tools and applications. Most recently, we have seen AI image generators and the natural language processing application, ChatGPT, take social media and organisations by storm.
The drive for AI continues to grow as tech giant Microsoft announced integrating ChatGPT into Bing and Microsoft Teams Premium. More recently, Google announced, a competing AI chat tool, Bard, to help with the growth of AI.
The artificial intelligence job industry is booming and there shows no signs of it slowing down. There has been a 75% rise in AI and machine learning careers over the past few years and it’s expected to grow more. If you’re looking for a new career change or want to develop your current role, find out more below about the AI industry and the skills and education needed to be a successful candidate.
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence is a field of computer science that focuses on creating machines and systems that can perform tasks which usually require human intelligence. This includes learning, problem-solving, decision-making and natural language processing (NLP).
AI technologies involve developing algorithms, models and systems that can learn from data, identify patterns and make predictions.
Tech candidates in the AI industry should have a strong understanding of the fundamental concepts of AI like machine learning, neural networks, NLP and computer vision. Alongside this, you should have a sound set of technical and soft skills, complemented by relevant education or experience, to succeed.
What Types of Jobs Are There in AI?
AI is a broad industry with many fields that require different skills and education. So before a candidate dives into finding a job, you must know what jobs are out there and which ones would suit you.
The top 5 AI jobs in the UK are as follows:
- Machine Learning Engineer – designs and develops machine learning algorithms and models for a variety of applications.
- Data Scientist – extracts insights from data using statistical and machine learning techniques to inform business decisions.
- AI Research Scientist – conducts research to advance the field of AI and develop new algorithms and models.
- Natural Language Processing Engineer – develops algorithms to analyse, understand and generate human language data.
- Computer Vision Engineer – designs and develops algorithms and models for analysing and understanding visual data, such as images and videos.
This list of jobs is relevant to the UK industry which according to Tech Nation, is the third-largest AI hub in the world. There are many jobs in this industry which will continue to grow as demand increases.
Educational Requirements
Many employers will be looking for a masters degree in computer science to help get recognised in this competitive industry. However, this requirement will depend on the employer and job field you pursue.
If you want to build a career in the field of AI, you should have at least achieved a bachelors degree (or masters) in fields such as mathematics, engineering, statistics or computer science.
Candidates will find it advantageous to also advance their qualifications with professional courses to stand out in the crowd. Popular courses include BCS’ Foundation Certificate in Artifical Intelligence and IBM’s Applied AI Professional Certificate.
Skills a Tech Candidate Needs to Succeed in AI
Tech candidates now have a variety of AI branches to choose from – whether it’s machine learning, computer vision, robotics or NLP, candidates will need a grounded knowledge of common skills to help them succeed.
Technical Skills
Each field has its own set of skills but across them all, a candidate should build on the following technical skills:
- Programming languages e.g., Python, Java or C++
- Machine learning frameworks e.g., TensorFlow or PyTorch
- Data analytics and statistics, e.g., Pandas and MATLAB
- Cloud platforms, e.g., Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
- Software development platforms, e.g., Agile or Scrum
- Database management, e.g., Apache Cassandra, Couchbase or DynamoDB
- Data acquisition systems
Soft Skills
You will also need to possess good workplace skills that’ll help you manage teams and projects and deploy work. Typical soft skills an employer will look for are:
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Management and leadership
Next Steps
As more organisations look towards creating intelligent, AI-powered systems to improve decision-making and business operations, there’s no doubt that the demand for AI skills will continue to grow.
We hope this article has helped you decide on the area of AI that’s right for you and understand more about the qualifications and skills needed. If you are a professional looking to navigate the current tech market, look no further than Morris Sinclair.
Contact us today and someone from our expert team will be happy to discuss your requirements and set out a plan for your career future.
