From Web Developer to AI Pioneer: AI Engineer
Ever wondered about the people behind AI technology? Maybe you heard about all the funding going towards AI and want to get involved in that action? In this article we’ll go over how to become an AI engineer, and what this field involves. Given it’s been the big story of the past year, does it make sense to transition from web development to AI engineering? AI engineering is a massive sector that spans across both the fields of software engineering and data. While you might have heard about the tools shaping self-driving cars and recommending binge-worthy shows, there are so many other ways AI is incorporated in these fields (and growing all the time). In this article, we’ll demystify this exciting area and spotlight the skills needed to start working in it. Whether you’re a Python pro, a coding newbie, or just spend a bit too much time with ChatGPT, lets learn what it takes to transition to an AI engineer.
1. What is an AI engineer?
AI engineers are the coders working behind the scenes, conjuring up tech magic that makes machines think like humans. They’re the the architects of your phone’s eerie ability to anticipate your preferences, and to tell you the cheapest day to buy your flight.
From making shopping a personalized adventure to spotting shady stuff online, the work artificial intelligence engineers (and their machine learning engineer peers) is seen everywhere. They’re fluent in AI programming languages such as Python and R.
You can imagine AI engineers as the interpreters bridging the gap between intricate code and the innovative technology that shapes our lives. They craft AI systems that diagnose illnesses, predict market trends, and engage us in seamless conversations.
2. What does an AI engineer do?
Okay, but what do AI engineers actually do? The short answer is…it depends.
As we mentioned earlier, AI engineering bridges fields, so how it’s used depends on the company and product. Let’s go over a few examples of how AI is used in software engineering vs. in data analytics.
AI engineer tasks and responsibilities
Let’s break down some examples of different ways these engineers might use the technology in their fields.