Specialist AI careers guidance

Firstly, welcome to our blog on machine learning careers and AI career paths.

What does an AI career path involve?

Machine learning is a method of data analysis. Plus, a field of artificial intelligence.

Machine learning Careers and AI careers. Characters on chess board

The analytical models used in AI give analysts, data scientists, engineers and researchers the opportunity to  “produce reliable, repeatable decisions and results” and uncover “hidden insights” through learning from historical relationships and trends in the data.

What is AI and what does an AI Specialist do

AI refers to Artificial Intelligence and is when machines show cognitive functions associated with humans like learning and problem-solving. AI has become an essential part of the technology industry.

It is subsequently clear that a central part of AI is machine learning as it requires the ability to spot patterns and react to unexpected data on its own.

The main focus of an AI specialist is to program computers to ‘understand’ a variety of situations. One of their roles would, therefore, be to program computers to test theories in relation to how the human mind works.

So what does a day in the life of an AI Specialist look like?

Machine learning is the future and AI has become the buzzword. Articles and debates are popping up just about everywhere, focusing on both the threats and opportunities created by this dynamic field.

There isn’t really a typical day as the role can be so varied. It would include traditional software development, reading academic papers and catching up on developments in the field.

According to a paper by the Career Services of Edinburgh University, AI and machine learning are currently used in the following fields:

  • Medicine
  • Robotics
  • Engineering
  • Software engineering
  • Interfaces and ‘help’ systems
  • Information management
  • Entertainment
  • Architecture
  • Crime prevention and detection
  • Commerce
  • Space
  • Military activities
  • Finance
  • Telecomunication
  • Marketing

Skills and responsibilities of an AI Specialist

An AI specialist will need to have a variety of skills. Here are some of the most important ones:

  • Outstanding analytical and problem solving skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Understanding a probabilities and statistics
  • Applied Math and Algorithm understanding
  • Excellent project and time management skills
  • MA or PhD in Computer Science or similar relevant fields
  • Lifelong learning

Qualifications

Most AI specialist roles require at least a master’s degree or a PhD in computer science or a related field. Others may only require a degree and look for more practical experience in a relevant IT role.

Salary expectations for a machine learning or AI specialist

According to IT Jobs Watch, the UK median anual salary for someone working as an AI specialist is around £62 500 as of November 2018. This has shown a 5% increase from last year at the same time with an even bigger (25%) jump from 2016 to 2017. Although there weren’t as many AI positions to compare this to in 2016, the growth of this profession is clear.

Finding employment as a machine learning or AI specialist

Finding employment in AI is much easier than it once was as many roles have been created within this field through growth in this field.

AI career paths

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