Jobs in Artificial Intelligence are at an all-time high at the moment, and it is only going to increase as the days pass by. Artificial Intelligence is taking over the world, or has already taken over it. Every day, AI releases something or the other to surprise the common people (take the AI-based Studio Ghibli art style, for example). However, jobs won’t come willy-nilly to anyone with a degree in the respective field.
Yes, it is important to get a degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence to secure a good job in AI. But the candidate must also possess a host of other skills to be proficient in their job. Let’s explore what those skills are like.
What are the Types of AI Careers?
The broad field of AI offers a host of jobs to aspirants to choose from. However, come 2025, these will be the most sought-after and in-demand jobs in Artificial Intelligence.
1. Data Scientists
Data Scientists use descriptive analysis to extract data out of complex sets, transform them into insightful models, and provide solutions to business problems. They also train Machine Learning models to perform Predictive Analysis.
2. AI Engineer
Also called Machine Learning (ML) Engineers, they are a combination of Data Scientists and Software Engineers. AI Engineers use their Data Science skills, like Python coding skills, mathematical modeling, statistics, etc., to build and train Machine Learning models. Then, they use their Software Engineering skills to deploy these models into production and integrate them with the remaining software apps in the organization.
3. NLP (Natural Learning Processes) and CV (Computer Vision) Manager
Both these roles are specialized AI roles. AI Engineers and Managers who specialize in NLP or CV become namesake professionals in AI, respectively. NLP Engineers and Managers have a strong foundational knowledge of NLP fundamentals and libraries such as NLTK (Natural Language Toolkit) and Spacy, etc. CV Engineers and Managers need to have strong fundamentals behind Computer Vision and libraries such as OpenCV and Yolo.
4. Machine Learning (ML) Ops Managers
ML Ops Engineers are DevOps Managers who are basically doing Developmental Operations for Machine Learning Projects. Their tasks involve setting up CI/CD Pipelines for ML projects using tools like Amazon SageMaker, and they will know how specialized tools like ‘Mlflow’, ‘Kubeflow’, etc.
5. AI Product Manager
AI Product Managers work with Product Management tools like ‘Jira’, and ‘Asana,’ prototyping tools like ‘Figma’, and ‘Sketch,’ road-mapping software such as ‘roadmunk,’ and ‘product plan,’ and finally, the basics of Microsoft Excel and PowerBI come in handy to do quick project analysis.
6. AI Ethics Executives
They are also called AI Ethicists. Owing to the rising need for AI regulation and protection of private information due to the potential threat it poses to data breach and security, an AI Ethics Executive will be the need of the hour. An AI Ethicist will work closely with an AI team and guide them with AI Ethics and government compliance rules.
7. AI Sales Executive
A Sales Executive with knowledge and familiarity with AI can opt for this role. Tools such as DocuSign, Adobe Sign, etc., are some of the tools they need to be expert at. Knowledge about CRM software like Salesforce and Hubspot is also an additional benefit.
Core Technical Skills Required for Artificial Intelligence
These are the core technical skills that an aspirant of an Artificial Intelligence job must possess:
- Machine Learning – AI Professionals need to know this expertly to understand and correctly predict the solution model. This skill is about understanding machine algorithms and evaluating them.
- Programming – Programming languages like R, Python, SQL, and Java, among others, should be a necessary set in an AI professional’s arsenal of skills.
- Deep Learning – Any AI professional should know about artificial neural networks inspired by the human brain’s structure and function.
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) – All AI professionals should have a healthy knowledge of NLP and its functioning.
- Big Data and Cloud Computing – These are some of the other technical skills that an AI professional should be aware of.
- AI Frameworks – AI frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch should be a must-know in the repertoire of anyone working with AI.
What are the Soft Skills for a Successful AI Career?
- Problem Solving – An AI Engineer has to work in an environment with multiple teams and collaborate with them. For that, they need to have or develop an inherent nature of problem-solving. They need to adapt accordingly to work in any team environment.
- Critical Thinking – Since those who work in AI require essential analyzing skills, critical thinking becomes a very handy skill. It helps you find a solution when stuck in any problem.
- Emotional Intelligence – While AI is out there to mimic human intelligence, it can’t (yet) mimic human emotions. Therefore, the humans who work in AI can use their emotions and make informed decisions at every turn. It includes being considerate of other people’s feelings who are working around them.
- Collaboration – Since any AI professional in any organization will work with a host of different personalities from different departments, the ability to collaborate becomes a very important tool.
- Creativity – In order to use AI to be creative, the person providing the information to AI must be creative. It works best in the Arts and Creative field.
Educational Requirements & Certifications
To become an AI professional, you need to pursue a higher education degree like an MBA, preferably in a course such as ‘Data Science and Artificial Intelligence’ from a college like MBA ESG. You can start your career path from there, since the college itself is very much industry-inclined.
To pursue an MBA in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, you need to graduate in any stream with at least 50% aggregate marks across academics. It is a two-year course, where the subjects are divided into ‘Core’ and ‘Specializations.’ MBA ESG is one of the top colleges in India. The program is designed by dedicated industry experts keeping in mind current industry needs and future forecasts.
Alternatively, you can also pursue a BBA in Data Science & AI and then get a job. You can opt for jobs more aligned with AI and learn on the job to become an experienced professional.
Top Institutes to Learn MBA in AI in India
These are some of the top institutes from where one can learn an MBA in AI in India:
- MBA ESG, Pune and Bengaluru
- SRM University
- RV University
- SP Jain School of Global Management
- DY Patil University
- ISB, Hyderabad
- XLRI, Jamshedpur
Job Roles & Career Paths in AI
A career in Artificial Intelligence is widely considered a good career option for the multi-faceted benefits it brings. Lucrative salaries, a large industry scope, a burgeoning field, and an opportunity to work on innovative projects are some of the many advantages of building a career in Artificial Intelligence.
AI has a high penetrative ratio in almost all departments. From Healthcare to Finance to Retail to Sports to Entertainment to Transportation, a career path in AI is formidable in all of these departments.
Also, a career in Artificial Intelligence boasts some of the highest-paying salaries in the world. An Artificial Intelligence professional’s salary can vary as highly from INR 6 LPA and reach up to INR 25 LPA in India.
Some of the finest jobs to consider in the field of AI are Artificial Intelligence Engineer, Data Scientists, NLP Engineers and Managers, AI Strategy Consultant, AI Director, AI Product Manager, AI Ethics Executive, AI Sales Executive, AI Solutions Architect, AI Research Manager, etc.
The Future of AI Careers in India: Opportunities & Trends
Artificial Intelligence shows a tremendously positive potential for career growth. The scope of AI is endless, and it is always increasing with every industry either relying on it or utilizing it to fetch data and solve problems.
Most careers in AI have a starting salary below the INR 10 LPA range, but they can rapidly increase and go up to INR 80-90 LPA with years of experience. There is a very high glass slab in AI jobs, and employees can constantly build their careers without slowing down, scaling down, or stagnating in any AI-based job.
From Data Science to Machine Learning to Research, an AI professional can learn in-depth about each of these fields. It will automatically impress big corporations and enable them to hire them for bigger, better posts. More advanced skills like Data analytics and visualization, Advanced mathematics, Deep learning, etc., can also help in the growth of a career in Artificial Intelligence.
In conclusion, a career in AI is always a bright and fruitful prospect. The future looks good and booming in AI, and it is only predicted to grow bigger from here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the essential skills required for an AI job in India?
Machine Learning, Programming Languages such as R, Python, SQL, and Java, Deep Learning, NLP, Big Data and Cloud Computing, Problem Solving nature, Critical Thinking, etc., are some of the essential skills required for an AI job in India.
2. Do I need a degree to get a job in artificial intelligence?
Yes. An MBA degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence will be a good choice to get a lucrative job in Artificial Intelligence.
3. Which industries in India are hiring AI professionals?
Almost all the industries in India are hiring AI professionals. From Healthcare to Technology to IT to Retail to Hospitality to Entertainment to Sports to Medical, almost every industry is hiring AI professionals.
4. How much does an AI engineer earn in India?
An AI Engineer’s salary is somewhere around INR 8 LPA in India at the moment. However, with time and experience, they can earn even up to INR 80 LPA.
5. How can I start a career in AI with no experience?
Without any experience, focus on developing the necessary skill set and learning the important concepts in AI through online courses. Undertake courses and projects, attend free webinars and seminars, make industry visits on your own, and take up free internship opportunities as well if need be, to build your network well and good. After that, in good time, you will get your dream job in AI with the right skills.
6. Is AI a good career option in India?
AI is a terrific career option in India. It has growth, it has potential, it provides lucrative salaries, and the field is the most in-demand at the moment.
