Understanding the Different Roles in AI Jobs: From Engineer to Researcher

Looking for job roles other than AI engineers in the AI sector? The scope of careers through AI systems and products expands exponentially along with technology research. You can decide if your career path fits your goals by investigating the many roles in artificial intelligence. Jobs in AI appear to have a bright future, which is good news for anyone working in this quickly developing industry. 

Notably, jobs like data scientists and ML engineers have frequently topped the Best Jobs list in the recent past. Let us explore and understand the different AI jobs. 

Here’s what we’ll cover in the article:

• Who are AI Professionals?
• Best Degrees for AI Job Roles
• Industries to Get Jobs in AI
• Companies Currently Hiring AI Positions
• Different Roles in AI Jobs
• FAQs About AI Jobs

Who are AI Professionals?

Artificial intelligence is a highly advanced industry wherein computers and machines are programmed and designed to imitate human-like decision-making and problem-solving capabilities. AI professionals are individuals that are qualified in the context of the intricate AI industry and possess the relevant experience, expertise, and skills. 

These are experts with the correct knowledge of the techniques, principles, and technologies of AI systems and their uses. The AI job roles are based on their work on diverse aspects of AI. Research, implementation, development, management, etc., are different aspects that call for AI job roles.

Current AI Job Outlook

The outlook for jobs in the AI field is currently very promising. US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 21% faster employment growth for computer and information research scientists from 2021-2031, creating 33,500 new jobs. The current median pay is approximately $131,490 per year or $63.22 per hour for computer and information research scientists. 

Also, the World Economic Forum proclaims that the AI ML job roles like AI and ML Specialists are among the job roles that are increasing in demand. The outlook for ethical AI is also positive.

While these are just a couple of examples, there are many more jobs in AI as the industry matures and skyrockets toward complexity and diversity, opening doors for various professionals, including junior and senior researchers, statisticians, experimental scientists, and others. 

Best Degrees for AI Job Roles

According to specific jobs and industries, degrees are valued and considered relevant for AI job roles. A technical or research degree gives a good break into the AI globe to work for big tech companies or even startups. Commonly, a strong background in mathematics, science, computer science, and related fields serves a good success in AI job roles and other related works. Here is a list of different fields to consider for your bachelor’s or master’s degrees to get a good start in the AI professional world:

• Computer Science
• Statistics
• Engineering
• Data Science
• Artificial Intelligence
• Machine Learning
• Mathematics or Applied Mathematics
• Physics
• Business or Management

Quick Note: It is recommended to complement your degrees with AI-specific certificates or hands-on experience from some renowned institutions. The United States Artificial Intelligence Institute offers a certification in AI engineering, and Google provides courses in Data Analytics too.

You can also transition to AI Data Science roles at Tier-1 companies by learning from industry experts - FAANG+ Data and Research Scientists. Enroll in AI/ML Data Science Course by Interview Kickstart! 

Different Roles in AI Jobs

The chart below holds some of the most sought-after AI jobs, such as AI ML job roles, AI  prompt engineer jobs, AI research jobs,  and AI research engineer jobs, in the artificial intelligence industry.

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Industries Demanding AI Job Roles

Tech companies are leading the way in optimizing and hiring for AI. There are over 7,000 AI engineer jobs in the US listed on LinkedIn. Not only at tech giants like Amazon or Google but also new jobs are constantly emerging in diverse industries. 

But here is the deal, not only engineer jobs but the AI professional field is full of varied career opportunities. So aspirant individuals can choose from a wide range of different job roles and responsibilities depending upon the field, position, experience and interests.

Most industries today need skilled AI professionals, such as:

• Financial services
• Healthcare
• Technology
• Media
• Marketing
• Supply Chain
• Human Resource
• Government and Military
• National Security
• IoT-enabled Systems
• Agriculture
• Gaming
• Retail

How to Get a Job in AI?

Are you planning to get a job in the field of AI? Well, this is a step-by-step process that constitutes an amalgamation of education, skills development, networking, interview preparation, and consistent learning. Let us catch on to some steps to help you understand the “how to” process of getting jobs in AI.

Educational Foundation

A bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, mathematics, engineering, or a related field. A master's or higher degree is valuable for more advanced or research-oriented AI jobs.

Skills Development

Work on proper skill development, including

• Learn AI-specific programming languages such as Python, Java, etc. 
• Familiarize yourself with ML algorithms and Deep Learning frameworks, such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, etc. 
• Data manipulation and analysis techniques
• Statistical studies and mathematics for understanding AI algorithms
• Specific AI subfields like NLP or computer vision.

Certifications

Consider obtaining relevant certifications like ML certifications and some other professional certifications from reputable platforms such as Coursera, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, edX, etc.

Internships and Freelance Work

Gain practical experience and build your portfolio by applying for AI internships, co-op programs, or freelance projects.

Job Search

Make sure to emphasize your AI-related abilities and expertise in both your CV and cover letter. To locate relevant positions, use job search tools, websites, and AI-specific job boards.

Interview Preparation

For an interview, it is important to revise and study the basics of data structures, algorithms, etc., that might be asked in technical AI interviews. Behavioral questions are also an important part of such interviews to evaluate teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills. Coding also requires special attention from the candidate. Interview Kickstart offers all-in-one interview preparation where the candidates are given thorough training to excel in every tech interview!

Portfolio

Prepare evidence to showcase skills, AI contributions and projects through your portfolio on relevant platforms such as GitHub. 

Quick Note: The field of AI is rapidly evolving. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends, research, and advancements by reading research papers, following AI blogs, and participating in online AI communities.

Grasp AI Concepts Plus Become a Skilled Interviewee

Since artificial intelligence is an increasingly widespread and growing form of technology, professionals who specialize in AI are needed now more than ever. Also, here is a kicker for individuals with limited knowledge. You can gain some most needed knowledge and skills along with comprehensive interview tips! 

At Interview Kickstart, we have trained over 9,000 software engineers to crack the most challenging AI interviews. Interview Kickstart alumni have received offers from FAANG and Tier-1 tech companies since 2014, with an average salary increase of 49%. The highest offer to an IK alum was $933,000. Enroll to touch new heights in the field of Artificial Intelligence.

FAQs About AI Jobs

Q1. Is AI a high-paying job?

AI job roles are usually high-paying ones. AI professionals earn high salaries due to the specialized skills needed for creating and implementing innovative technological solutions.

For example, in India, the annual average salary for entry-level AI engineers is roughly 10 lakhs, which significantly surpasses the average earnings of other engineering graduates. Senior position AI engineers can get a 5 times higher salary.

Q2. What jobs will AI replace in the next five years?

According to Unmudl.com, Data Entry Clerk, Telemarketer, Factory Worker, Cashier, and Driver are probably the five jobs that AI will replace in the next 5 years. 

Q3. How to get a job in AI without a degree?

It is not necessary for you to have a particular degree to get a job in AI. More and more individuals are turning to professional certificate programs to acquire the necessary skills and prepare thoroughly for job interviews from some renowned platforms, such as Interview Kickstart.

Q4. Which field of AI is in demand?

Companies across various industries seek AI professionals with expertise in in-demand fields such as Machine Learning, Deep Learning, NLP, and computer vision.

Q5. What is the average salary for openAI?

Levels.fyi reveals OpenAI employees' salaries range from $231,150 for low-end recruiters to $925,000 for high-end software engineers, based on verified salaries.