Is upskilling in AI the key to upskilling the workforce?
BY AARON FERNANDEZ
The dawn of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here.
AI and its liberal application has now become an essential feature of a whole gamut of industries, including healthcare, finance and e-commerce, and its importance is increasingly becoming pivotal to their growth.
While understanding and learning the emerging behemoth called AI can appear a daunting task, beginning one’s journey at the base of the knowledge pyramid has its advantages.
The rising importance of AI has also made it imperative to the opening up of new career opportunities, increasing earning potential and generally staying ahead of the professional curve.
While understanding and learning the emerging behemoth called AI can appear a daunting task, beginning one’s journey at the base of the knowledge pyramid has its advantages.
Familiarising yourself with programming languages such as Python and R and learning the basics of statistics and linear algebra will give you a solid foundation to ascend the AI pyramid.
A wide range of online courses on educational platforms like Coursera, Udemy, etc, available online, and attending workshops and seminars on the subject will also help one get accustomed to machine learning, develop deep learning and stay up-to-date with the latest AI trends and technologies.
One can also practice with real-world projects on your own for hands-on practical experience in AI. You can start by locating relevant datasets and developing models to analyse them. You can also join AI communities and forums to engage with your peers, other experienced AI hands and generally network to get a foothold in the AI community.
Reading research papers by experts also helps gain a richer understanding of AI concepts and technologies.
One can also practice with real-world projects on your own for hands-on practical experience in AI. You can start by locating relevant datasets and developing models to analyse them.
You can also join AI communities and forums to engage with your peers, other experienced AI hands and generally network to get a foothold in the AI community.
While AI can make life simpler, upskilling yourself with AI skills requires dedication and hard work – the universal necessities to learning any new craft.
But upskilling in AI and familiarising oneself with newer AI technologies and processes has the potential to open new doors of professional growth wide open. Upskilling in AI can be a game-changer for professionals in various industries.
As the use of AI becomes more widespread, there is a growing demand for skilled AI professionals who can develop and implement AI-powered solutions to complex problems.
Research points out that the AI-related job market has been galloping at a rate of 74 per cent annually. Here are four reasons why upskilling in AI can be a game changer for you whether you are starting your career or looking for a mid-career switch.
Higher earning potential: As the demand for AI professionals increases, so does the earning potential. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for an AI professional in the United States is over $100,000 per year, with some roles paying upwards of $200,000 per year.
Career flexibility: Upskilling in AI can open up new career opportunities and provide greater flexibility in your career. AI is being used in various industries, including healthcare, finance, marketing and more. This means that you can apply your AI skills to different industries and job roles, providing greater career flexibility.
Improved problem-solving skills: AI requires a problem-solving mindset and upskilling in AI can help you develop this skill. As you learn to design and develop AI solutions, you'll gain experience in identifying complex problems, breaking them down into smaller components and developing solutions that solve the problem.
Future-proofing your career: Upskilling in AI can help you future-proof your career by ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge needed to stay competitive in the job market.
AI requires a problem-solving mindset and developing AI solutions can help professionals identify and solve complex problems.
Upskilling in AI can lead to higher earning potential, career flexibility, improved problem-solving skills and future-proofing of one's career. As the demand for AI professionals increases, there are more opportunities for those with AI skills in various industries, including healthcare, finance and marketing.
Additionally, AI requires a problem-solving mindset and developing AI solutions can help professionals identify and solve complex problems. By upskilling in AI, individuals can future-proof their careers by staying competitive in the rapidly evolving job market.
(The author, Aaron Fernandez, is the founder of Kilowott, a Goa-based technology company.)