Is Artificial Intelligence (AI) Worth Learning? 

You must be wondering why everyone seems to talk about Artificial Intelligence (AI) these days. AI has become a buzzword and is making headlines every now and then in the technology space. AI and machine learning are, in fact, the driving force behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This technology has received great attention from the media and the general public because of the fascinating AI-powered products we see in the market. When you see cars automatically driven without drivers, voice assistants like Alexa and Siri that receive your commands and act on them, and your smartphone unlocking through your face, then you are bound to have curiosity about the technology behind it. 

Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science that focuses on mimicking human intelligence by creating and applying algorithms built into a dynamic computing environment. In other words, artificial intelligence tries to impart human-like intelligence in machines so that they can think and perform actions like humans. Research has been going on in this field for decades, but the reason why it is gaining so much traction is the emergence of other supporting technologies like big data analytics, high computation power, and cloud computing. 

you are bound to have curiosity about the technology behind it. Technology that allows companies to deliver an array of services and products online. Consumers can access legal services from companies like Fair Credit, or purchase a television from Amazon. The options afforded through technological advancements continue to expand, with AI set to take it all to the next level.

There is incredible growth in the AI and machine learning market. The global AI market size is expected to reach USD 309.6 billion by 2026 (the figure that stood at USD 58.3 billion in 2021), growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 39.7% from 2021 to 2026. What this means for you is the rising number of opportunities in this field as many technology companies are investing heavily in AI-powered projects. Professionals who know the Artificial intelligence basics can make the most of open positions available in this field and lead a successful career.

Not sure if you want to start a career in artificial intelligence? Well, this article discusses why learning AI is worth your time and effort to witness a promising career growth ahead. 

Why Learn Artificial Intelligence?

Given the hype AI has received, you may want to know more about the technology and then decide whether you want to start a career in it or not. Here are some of the reasons mentioned why professionals in large numbers are learning Artificial Intelligence. 

Huge investments from tech giants

Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, IBM, and Apple are investing a hefty sum of money in AI and machine learning to develop highly advanced products and services. The corporate spending on AI is set to pass USD 50 billion this year, according to IDC, and is expected to reach USD 110 billion by 2024. So, if you have always wanted to land a job in these companies, then  Artificial intelligence can open the door of opportunities for you. 

Penetrating almost every industrial sector

Almost every sector seems to be leveraging the true potential of AI. Apart from the Information Technology sector, AI is being explored in various fields like banking and finance, retail, manufacturing, aviation, education, supply chain management, healthcare, and human resources. As per McKinsey’s The State of AI in 2020 report, the AI adoption is highest within the product- or service-development and service-operations functions. So, wherever field you are interested in, knowledge of AI will be beneficial. 

Highest-paying jobs

As the field is relatively new, there are not enough skilled professionals to fill in the open positions related to AI and machine learning. There is a huge  Artificial intelligence skills shortage across the world in comparison to their demand. This is the reason companies are paying higher salaries to skilled AI professionals. AI Engineers command an average salary of $115K per year in the US, according to Glassdoor. This is quite higher than the national average for software developers. 

Future-proof career 

Many surveys have pointed out that the growing automation and digital transformation will lead to many manual job cuts. The need for gaining digital skills has never been higher as we are already seeing many job roles becoming obsolete. In such dynamic workforce trends, AI is being considered a futuristic skill whose demand is predicted to be high in the future. More companies will adopt AI in the time to come, thus increasing the demand for AI and machine learning specialists. 

Endless growth opportunities

The possibilities in the field of AI and machine learning are truly endless. If you are working on researching neural networks today, you may work on quantum artificial intelligence tomorrow. In companies like Facebook, you may be analyzing and processing big data, or in others, you may develop electronic parking assistants or home assistant robots. It means that the jobs you are studying today may evolve into something that is beyond your imagination by the time you start working in this field. 

Where Can I Learn Artificial Intelligence?    

If you have decided to learn AI, it doesn’t mean you have to head back to college and take an academic course. Today, there are various online courses to help you learn  Artificial intelligence from scratch and gain the skills that employers seek the most. There are introductory and advanced courses on AI, many on machine learning, and also industry-specific AI courses. Some of the reliable training providers are Simplilearn, Coursera, Udacity, and edX. Their courses have flexible learning options and you can start learning at your own convenient pace. So, what are you waiting for? Start learning Artificial intelligence today.