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How to Build a Career in Artificial Intelligence

Over the past decade, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly expanded and remains a constant disrupter for the IT industry by changing how businesses operate.

There are numerous opportunities for building a career in the artificial intelligence field. From developing software to working in robotics, AI is a diverse field. So here is what you need to know about this rapidly expanding industry.

 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

At its most basic level, Artificial Intelligence is machines that perform tasks that usually require human intelligence.

Lines of computer coding covering a digitally created face

 

AI was formally founded as a field in 1956 during a conference at Dartmouth University. Over time, as computing technologies have significantly improved, AI has evolved with the help of machine learning (ML). Machine Learning is a subset of AI that teaches AI machines to learn from past data.

 

Growth of Artificial Intelligence

With the emergence of new technologies, the capabilities of AI have grown significantly. During the 1950s, several ideas for the success of artificial intelligence focused on chess, which continued into the 1990s. Famously, IBM developed Deep Blue, a computer capable of playing chess. In 1996 Deep Blue played chess world champion, Garry Kasparov, winning only one of the six games. The following year, after some redesigning, Deep Blue won three games, lost two and tied one.

 

Today, artificial intelligence has revolutionised everyday life for millions. As AI technologies have continued to grow, so has the incorporation of it into our daily lives. For example, Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Google Home, and Netflix’s recommendations use artificial intelligence.

 

Numerous industries continue to incorporate and expand AI into their operations. PwC estimates by 2030, AI technologies will contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy each year.

 

Industries Using Artificial Intelligence

As the technologies used in artificial intelligence continue to evolve, how industries use artificial intelligence will also expand. As a result, it has become commonplace for many sectors to use artificial intelligence in their operations.

 

While artificial intelligence technologies are available for multiple industries, the needs of individual businesses determine how to incorporate artificial intelligence into their operations. Companies can use artificial intelligence for:

  • Cyber Security
  • Customer Service activities
  • Streamline operations and improve operational efficiency
  • Reduce operational expense
  • Increase revenue streams

Companies incorporating artificial intelligence have found that AI technologies have added significant value to the overall business.

 

Currently, artificial intelligence technologies are available to numerous industries, including:

  • Business and Finance
  • Retail and E-Commerce
  • Healthcare
  • Transport and Logistics
  • Travel
  • Communications

 

Industry Applications of Artificial Intelligence

With the ability to streamline processes and improve operational efficiency, there are numerous applications for artificial intelligence across almost every industry.

 

Businesses operating in the financial services industry have begun incorporating chatbots to provide customer service to their customers. For example, since introducing an AI-powered chatbot, Square Inc.’s virtual assistant, Square Assistant, has answered 75% of customers’ questions and reduced customer no-shows by 10%. At the same time, American Express has maintained the lowest rate of credit card fraud in the banking industry for 13 years due to AI monitoring fraud activities.

 

Sydney’s Hornsby Hospital has renovated the onsite pharmacy to include an AI-powered robot. The robot pulls medications from the shelves and sends them off to a pharmacist to dispense. In this case, the AI robots work alongside pharmacists to reduce wait times and potential mistakes.

 

 

Across the travel industry, AI technologies have reinvented how the industry operates. For example, Hilton Hotels has partnered with IBM to develop Connie, an AI-powered robot used for concierge purposes. For example, Connie can answer complex customer enquiries more quickly than humans. Hilton says Connie cannot and will not replace humans but it will help during a busy period.

 

With over 11 million items in Amazon’s new Sydney warehouse, AI robot movers will help to ease pressure on staff when the warehouse opens in 2022. The 2,000 robots will gather items from across four floors and deliver them to a human for packing. These robots are guided by QR codes covering the floor and allow for 50% more stock in the warehouse. Amazon has also seen environmental benefits with AI technologies helping reduce single-use packaging by 33% or 915,000 tons.

 

 

Artificial intelligence has assisted in providing businesses with the opportunity to expand their product and service offerings and streamline operations.

 

Career Prospects

Artificial intelligence remains one of the fastest-growing sectors within IT. By 2025, there will be an estimated 97 million new jobs created globally as a direct result of AI.

 

For most businesses, AI technologies work alongside human employees rather than replacing them.

 

Artificial intelligence is a diverse field with numerous career opportunities. The primary career prospects for AI include:

  • Data Scientists and Analysts
  • Machine Learning Engineers and specialists
  • Software Programmers and Developers
  • Robotics engineers

Some of the typical responsibilities may include:

  • Developing AI/ML programs
  • Building, testing and optimising ML models.
  • Analysis of AI/ML performance
  • In-depth problem-solving.

For most careers within the AI industry, there is a need for knowledge of programming languages.

 

The Future of Artificial Intelligence

As advancements in AI technologies continue, how industries are using technology will present new opportunities. For example, by 2050, driverless cars and planes may be a reality, while doctors may be able to personalise medical treatments to match your DNA.

 

As the industry grows, new technologies will provide new career opportunities and industry usage.

 

 

To begin a career in Artificial Intelligence, SISTC offers a Bachelor of Information Technology with the option of majoring in two fields: Digital Enterprise (DEN) and Business Information Systems (BIS).

 

To find out more about the courses offered at SISTC, visit our course information page.