How to Start an Exciting Career as a Artificial Intelligence Engineer

In today's digital age, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool in helping businesses operate has grown massively. The demand for engineers specialising in AI has increased as Malaysia pushes for Industry 4.0 — the country's policy to boost digital transformation by 2030. There are limitless opportunities for professionals who can analyse data and build machine learning algorithms. In fact, one of the most lucrative careers in the business is artificial intelligence (AI) engineering. But how does one become an AI engineer?

What is AI Engineering?

You may have encountered AI as part of your daily life, like smart assistants on your phone or email spam filters on your computer. All major industries, from education to healthcare to e-commerce, recruitment, and manufacturing, use AI to keep their business growing. 

Artificial intelligence engineering is a branch of computer science where the creation of algorithms, computer programming, and networks mimic human behaviour. Products of AI engineering learn from past data and actions that allow them to make adjustments and simplify tasks. AI is a game-changer in amplifying human effectiveness and removing mundane tasks.

What does an AI Engineer do?

AI engineers use artificial intelligence and machine learning (ML) techniques to develop applications and systems. Businesses need AI engineers to put these systems in place, maintain them, and adapt them to changes in the industry. They help companies increase efficiency, cut costs, increase profits and make better business decisions. 

AI engineers understand the tools and techniques drawn from programming, software engineering, and data science to develop and maintain AI systems. You can say that AI engineers are masters of end-to-end programming. They can extract data efficiently, design algorithms, and build and test machine learning models capable of performing complex tasks.

Why pursue a career in AI Engineering?

AI engineers play a significant role in today's modern economy, especially in sectors where AI technology is needed to overcome challenges. Businesses use massive amounts of data to improve and simplify common, everyday tasks. It’s an exciting career path if you like providing creative solutions and contributing to technology advancement.

Companies need AI Engineers to improve and digitally transform their businesses. They help businesses develop insights and predictions on customer behaviours to develop a more personalised experience. AI engineering may seem like a complicated and intimidating career, but with the right mindset, you can take on this compelling career path.

How to become an AI Engineer

Educational requirements

Have interests in scientific disciplines like physics, chemistry, and mathematics? This will give you a good start in pursuing a degree in science or technology. AI engineers usually have a degree in computer science or information technology because it tackles the foundation of programming.

To boost your chances of getting a lucrative career in AI engineering, you may consider getting a master's degree in machine learning or data science. You can also specialise in your technical abilities and understand comprehensive software languages in the field. It's also good to get certifications to maximise your resume and gain the attention of prospective employers.

Skills required to become an AI Engineer

Soft Skills

Communication

Communication is essential for AI engineers because you usually work as a team throughout development. You also need this skill to explain to non-technical colleagues or clients how different AI solutions might help them reach their goals.

Teamwork

AI engineers frequently collaborate with each other, which is why the ability to work productively in a group is a valuable skill in this profession.

Creative thinking

Creative thinking is important in AI engineering because you must address problems as they arise. With creative minds, you can turn ideas into profitable business ventures, which can help to expand the use of AI in everyday life. 

Problem-solving

In learning how to become a successful AI engineer, you must be able to analyse and solve problems to address problems. You must be able to think through solutions and provide the best course of action.

Technical Skills

Programming

One of the most essential skills for an AI engineer is proficiency in at least one programming language. Ideally, it would be best to have experience working with multiple languages like Python, C++, or Javascript. The more diverse your programming languages are, the better.

Statistics and Probability

AI engineers need a strong grasp of applied mathematics, such as algebra and statistics. Different models require an understanding of various mathematical concepts and algorithms.

Data Literacy

An AI engineer's work revolves around data; data literacy is critical when entering this field. AI engineers should be able to read, understand, analyse and apply data to various use cases.

Machine Learning

Machine learning is a skill AI engineers need to create complex programs. It includes understanding deep learning and neural networks. This is where AI engineers identify numerical patterns based on sensory data and build recognition patterns. 

Understanding an AI Engineer career path

Responsibilities of an AI Engineer 

Learning how to be a successful AI engineer is no easy task. You need to understand the key responsibilities that come with the role:

• Develop AI-driven solutions that model human behaviour to accomplish complicated tasks or complete complex processes.
• Create pipelines that streamline raw data into the structured data necessary for AI processes.
• Test and deploy AI systems in collaboration with programmers and leadership.
• Evaluate and improve the performance of software and applications in AI and ML domains.
• Perform statistical analysis and interpret the results to optimise the organisation's decision-making process.
• Coordinate with business leaders and software development teams to determine what business processes can be improved by using AI.
• Stay updated on the latest technology trends and developments.

AI Engineer salary

AI engineering is a specialised technical field that poses a promising job growth in Malaysia’s digitally-driven economy. It also tends to pay well compared to other computer or IT roles. AI engineer starting salary is undoubtedly higher than the salary of other enter-level roles in IT, such as Software Engineering and Software Development. 

According to Jobstreet's Salary Insights, AI engineers' monthly salaries can range between RM 5,850 - RM 8,350 in Kuala Lumpur. Like any other job, the AI engineer's salaries vary based on location, industry, educational qualification, and company. 

AI Engineer Job Outlook

The job outlook for AI engineers in Malaysia looks positive as companies need skilled professionals to deploy scalable AI applications. You can also explore or transition easily to other lucrative fields like data science, software engineering, and machine learning engineering.

If you want to pursue a career in this cutting-edge role, there has never been a better time to learn how to become an AI engineer. AI engineers are integral to the operations of countless industries, and their wide-scale adoption, coupled with projected steady growth, makes them some of the hottest careers available.

Ready to start a career in AI? #SEEKBetter opportunities today and update your Jobstreet profile to alert potential employers of your willingness to work. For more career advice and expert tips, visit the Career Hub.