If you’ve been considering an AI bachelor degree, you might wonder which major would work best for you. While machine learning is integral to understanding how AI works, it isn’t the only major that can set you up for a lucrative career in artificial intelligence.
Read on to learn more about which degree is best for AI and how to get into AI. Our analysts have consulted the most accurate, up-to-date data.
Which Degree Is Best for AI?
There are now schools that offer artificial intelligence majors. However, you can also take an interdisciplinary approach if you want a more well-rounded background. For example, three majors provide essential skill sets required for machine learning jobs.
Consider the following artificial intelligence degrees based on your goals and interests:
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Robotics
Business analytics, mathematics, and other degrees also give you the fundamentals needed to succeed in an artificial intelligence career. Here’s a deep dive:
Computer Science
Computer science is the most popular AI bachelor degree. A Computer science AI bachelor degree program will include courses that cover algorithms, data structures, programming, and AI-related hardware/software. Above all, you’ll need programming skills to understand and adapt algorithms, which are the core elements of artificial intelligence. You must also understand data structures to make them more efficient and accurate. Computer systems store a lot of data, but not all of it is valuable. Fortunately, a degree in computer science will give you the core understanding needed to develop and improve AI algorithms for various industries.
Data Science
A data science AI bachelor degree teaches you how to make better predictions. As a data scientist, you will develop models that analyze data and make valuable predictions. Machine learning based on faulty data isn’t very valuable. However, artificial intelligence makes it easier to separate useful information from raw data that can quickly become overwhelming. Beyond that, too many erroneous datapoints can skew the results of deep learning significantly. Therefore, data scientists hold a critical role. A bachelor’s degree in this field will focus on statistics, computer science, and mathematics.
Robotics
Robots no longer exist only in the imagination of science fiction writers and movie makers. Today, robotics deals with the physical manifestation of AI systems. From building cars to performing physical tasks too demanding or dangerous for humans, robots may hold a key place in everyday living in the not-so-distant future. An AI engineer degree in robotics will give you the knowledge necessary to enhance the performance and intelligence of self-reliant robotic systems that observe and react to the environment around them.
Data Analytics
What can you do with a data analytics degree? Firstly, it can provide the information you need to jumpstart a career in artificial intelligence. Starting with a firm foundation in analytics, you’ll find it easier to understand and manipulate large data sets. Additionally, you’ll learn how machine learning works and take part in improving it. As the capabilities of systems and machines advance, it’s essential to consider ethical issues. For example, good data scientists understand the importance of practicing fairness, respecting privacy, and safeguarding human rights.
Machine Learning
An AI degree in machine learning includes a firm computer science foundation and advanced training in artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is often used synonymously with machine learning. However, machine learning is a subset of AI. It focuses on mining data sets for information that can improve algorithms. In many cases, this centers around a specific task. Eventually, you may find yourself building programs that make it easier for computers to process and respond to different situations.
Business Analytics
As a business analytics professional, you may find yourself acting as a bridge between AI experts and key members of your organization. Business analytics would combine an AI bachelor degree with business knowledge. One of the primary rules for those who work in business analytics involves the responsible adoption of AI. Besides, you’ll need a firm grasp of customer needs, market dynamics, and business and a deep understanding of machine learning.
Mathematics
Without math, computers wouldn’t exist. AI degree programs require a firm grasp of mathematical concepts. So, if you love math and are good at it, a mathematics degree could be a great approach to gathering the knowledge you need to succeed in the AI field. Carefully review the curriculum to ensure your chosen program focuses on AI topics. For example, you’ll need courses incorporating statistics, algorithms, and computational methods.
Statistics
Statistics involves collecting and analyzing a large amount of data. With a degree in statistics, you’ll develop essential skills for machine learning. AI uses statistical methodology to predict and mimic human behavior in different situations. Like a math degree, a statistics AI bachelor’s degree will expose you to computer science and other skills needed to land an artificial intelligence job.
Engineering
Self-driving cars, drones, robots, and other devices come from the minds of brilliant engineers. Within the realm of machine learning, engineering is considered a subfield. You’ll need to take courses and computer science, AI, electrical engineering, and related subjects to complete an engineering degree.
Can I Work in AI with a Humanities Degree?
Yes, you can absolutely work in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with a humanities degree. While a background in computer science or an AI bachelor degree is common, the AI industry values diversity and often welcomes individuals with diverse educational backgrounds.
What Can I Do in AI?
Here are several ways you can leverage your humanities degree to contribute to the AI field:
- Natural Language Processing (NLP): Humanities graduates often have a strong command of language, making them well-suited for roles involving natural language processing. NLP is a subfield of AI that focuses on the interaction between computers and human language, including tasks like language translation, sentiment analysis, and chatbot development.
- Ethics and AI Policy: The ethical implications of AI and the development of AI policies are critical areas where individuals with humanities backgrounds can make substantial contributions. Companies and organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of ethical considerations in AI, and humanities graduates can play a pivotal role in shaping responsible AI practices.
- User Experience (UX) Design: Humanities graduates often possess strong creative and critical thinking skills, making them valuable contributors to UX design in AI applications. Designing AI interfaces that are user-friendly and align with human values is crucial for the success of AI systems.
- AI Journalism and Communication: There is a growing need for professionals who can communicate complex AI concepts to diverse audiences. Humanities graduates with strong communication skills can work in AI journalism, technical writing, or as AI communication specialists, helping bridge the gap between technical experts and the general public.
- AI in the Arts and Culture: AI is increasingly being used in creative fields, such as art and music. Humanities graduates with an understanding of cultural and artistic principles can contribute to the development and application of AI in creative endeavors.
- Interdisciplinary Research: Collaborative projects often benefit from individuals with diverse perspectives. Humanities graduates can collaborate with computer scientists and engineers in interdisciplinary research projects that involve AI applications in areas like digital humanities, social sciences, or linguistics.
- Data Annotation and Labeling: Humanities graduates with expertise in language and context can contribute to data annotation and labeling tasks, which are essential for training machine learning models. This involves categorizing and annotating data to improve the accuracy of AI systems.
To enter the AI field with a humanities background, consider adding skills to your toolbox through online courses, workshops, or specialized programs. Focus on areas like data science, machine learning, or programming. Building a portfolio that showcases your interdisciplinary skills and collaborating with professionals from diverse backgrounds can also enhance your appeal to employers in the AI industry. Remember, the AI field values a combination of skills and perspectives, and a humanities degree can bring unique insights to the table.
What are Some Other Ways to Get Into AI?
While a computer science background can certainly provide a strong foundation, the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is multidisciplinary, and professionals from various educational backgrounds contribute to its diverse landscape. Here are several pathways for entering the AI industry without a computer science degree:
- Domain-Specific Expertise: If you have expertise in a specific domain (e.g., healthcare, finance, or marketing), combining your industry knowledge with AI skills can make you highly valuable in developing AI solutions tailored to specific sectors. Even without an AI bachelor degree.
- Self-Taught and Bootcamps: In fact, many successful AI professionals are self-taught or have completed specialized training through coding bootcamps, online courses, or AI-focused programs. These options allow individuals to acquire practical skills and build a portfolio of projects.
- Cross-disciplinary Degrees: Some universities offer interdisciplinary programs that combine elements of computer science, mathematics, and other fields. These programs can provide a well-rounded education suitable for AI roles.
It’s important to note that in the AI industry, practical skills, experience, and a portfolio of projects often carry significant weight. Employers may prioritize demonstrated abilities and relevant experience over formal degrees. Building a strong network, participating in AI communities, and continuously updating your skills can also enhance your prospects in the AI field. While a computer science degree or AI bachelor degree can open doors, it’s not the sole gateway to a successful career in artificial intelligence.
What is AI Anyway?
Artificial intelligence deals with developing software that thinks and hardware that makes it possible. AI has been around for three decades, emerging from interdisciplinary cooperation between neuroscience, electrical engineering, and computer science professionals, to name a few. Today, AI seems harnessed only by the physical limitations of current hardware. With numerous applications putting machine learning to work, AI tools are finally getting the computing power required to use machine learning on a large scale.
AI is now used in transportation, health, manufacturing, automation, security, and many other areas. In the future, AI is likely to make many devices more capable and efficient than ever.
- Agriculture: You might be surprised to hear that agriculture uses AI. But precision agriculture employs AI for crop monitoring, yield prediction, and optimization of resource use. Drones and sensors equipped with AI assist in monitoring and managing agricultural operations.
- Automotive: In addition, the automotive industry utilizes AI for autonomous vehicles, predictive maintenance, and smart manufacturing. AI algorithms help vehicles perceive their environment, make decisions, and navigate safely.
- Cybersecurity: AI enhances cybersecurity by detecting and responding to cyber threats in real-time. Machine learning algorithms analyze patterns to identify and prevent security breaches.
- Education: In education, AI is used for personalized learning, automated grading, and intelligent tutoring systems. It can adapt to individual learning styles and provide insights into student performance.
- Energy: The energy sector utilizes AI for predictive equipment maintenance, energy grid optimization, and predictive analytics for energy consumption patterns. AI also helps improve the efficiency of renewable energy sources.
- Entertainment: In the entertainment industry, AI is used for content recommendation, video and audio analysis, and virtual reality experiences. AI algorithms personalize content delivery based on user preferences.
- Finance: In the financial sector, AI is employed for fraud detection, algorithmic trading, risk management, customer service through chatbots, and personalized financial advice. Machine learning models analyze market trends and optimize investment portfolios.
- Healthcare: AI is used for diagnostic purposes, personalized medicine, drug discovery, and predictive analytics. In addition, it can analyze medical images, assist in surgery, and improve patient care through data-driven insights.
- Human Resources: AI aids in HR processes such as talent acquisition, employee engagement, and workforce planning. Moreover, AI streamlines recruitment through resume screening and automates routine HR tasks.
- Manufacturing: AI enhances manufacturing processes through predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain optimization. Robotics and automation powered by AI improve efficiency and reduce errors.
- Marketing and Advertising: AI is used in marketing for customer segmentation, personalized advertising, and data-driven campaign optimization. Natural language processing enables sentiment analysis and personalized content creation.
- Retail: Retailers leverage AI for demand forecasting, supply chain optimization, customer behavior analysis, and personalized shopping experiences. Also, chatbots and virtual assistants enhance customer interactions.
- Telecommunications: AI is employed in telecommunications for network optimization, predictive maintenance, fraud detection, and customer service automation. It also helps manage and analyze large datasets for improved operational efficiency.
AI bachelor degree holders will get a firsthand look at cutting edge trends, theory, and applications. You’re likely a good fit for the field if you’re interested in AI technology, autonomous systems, robotics, or related topics.
An AI bachelor degree gives you the knowledge to develop AI agents and work on advanced theories and algorithms for data analysis and optimization. Most importantly, upon graduating, you’ll find many employers value data scientists who can help them keep up with the ever-changing landscape and how it impacts their businesses.
Is a Degree in AI Worth It?
From a financial perspective, it’s certainly worthwhile to pursue an AI bachelor’s degree. For many positions, you may find that you need a master’s degree or higher to succeed in the field. For advice on how to get into AI, start with the faculty at your favorite schools.
You don’t have to major in AI itself to get the education you need to start an entry-level position. Alternatively, you can also choose from related degrees such as mathematics, statistics, and business analytics. In fact, it’s always a good idea to pursue as well-rounded an educational experience as possible.
Machine learning has a great capacity to advance the human condition. More efficient systems save money and time. In many ways, an AI career can have a positive impact on society as a whole.
Is AI a Hard Major?
Artificial intelligence degrees involve subjects that many people find difficult. This might be the right field for you if you excel at math, computer science, and science. There’s currently a demand for professionals with advanced skills. In many cases, companies are willing to train existing employees to take on expanded roles in machine learning.
Machine learning is a key element of artificial intelligence. Because machine learning algorithms are heavily steeped in statistics, you’ll need to understand complex mathematical models. You can start by mastering algebra, calculus, and probability, all of which are critical for a career in AI.
In addition, you’ll need a solid foundation in computer programming to become a data scientist or AI developer. We highly recommend learning as much about Python as possible, including its libraries. This language has syntax that makes it easier to work with large datasets.
If you need to brush up your math skills, you can always take calculus and statistics courses prior to switching to an AI major. You can take programming courses to see if you have a knack for it.
How Do I Get Into the AI Industry?
AI degree programs prepare you well for a career in education, engineering, business, and other fields. It all depends on where you set your career goals. When it comes to artificial intelligence and machine learning, an ever-increasing number of jobs are available. However, you have to have the skills to match the demands of this challenging career choice.
An AI engineer degree will teach you the programming skills to develop and train AI models. Using machine learning algorithms, you’ll develop a thinking system with deep learning capabilities. As a machine learning engineer, you’ll deploy models with sophisticated algorithms designed to improve performance over time.
As a data scientist, you will collect and analyze data. A big part of this job lies in identifying unusable data that can skew results, negatively impacting the accuracy of your predictive models. In addition, data scientists build tools that provide decision-makers with analytics needed to make decisions based on data.
You can also become a research scientist and work on practical applications for machine learning. Natural Language Processing and Computer Vision technology focus on making machines smarter and better able to communicate. If you’re looking for how to get into AI, there are many ways, including the examples above.
What About the Job Market with an AI Bachelor Degree?
The advent of artificial intelligence was a huge technological advancement. It already touches many aspects of daily living. Because AI will continue to impact your professional and personal lives, certain privileges come from working in the field. You can use your skills to improve systems with tremendous potential to change the world.
The job market for AI professionals is continually growing, with a high demand for individuals skilled in artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies. However, please note that conditions may have evolved since then, and it’s advisable to check the latest sources for the most current information.
What Makes the AI Job Market Strong?
There are a lot of factors making a strong job market for AI professionals:
- Industry Growth: The AI industry has experienced significant growth, with applications across various sectors such as healthcare, finance, e‑commerce, and technology. This expansion has led to an increased demand for AI specialists.
- Emerging Technologies: The continuous development of emerging technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, has created new opportunities for AI professionals to contribute to innovative projects and solutions.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Organizations increasingly recognize the value of data-driven decision-making, leading to a demand for professionals who can leverage AI and machine learning to extract insights from large datasets.
- Automation and Efficiency: Businesses are integrating AI to enhance efficiency, automate processes, and improve overall operations. This trend has fueled the need for professionals who can design, implement, and maintain AI systems.
- Startups and Established Companies: Both startups and established companies are investing in AI talent. Startups often focus on disruptive AI applications, while larger corporations integrate AI into their existing infrastructure to stay competitive.
- Cross-Industry Adoption: AI is not limited to the tech sector; it is increasingly being adopted across diverse industries. This cross-industry adoption broadens the range of opportunities for AI professionals in areas such as healthcare, finance, marketing, and more.
- Research and Development: The field of AI is dynamic, with ongoing research and development. Professionals engaged in AI research contribute to advancements and are sought after by academic institutions, research labs, and tech companies.
Keep in mind, while the demand for AI professionals is high, the specific job market can vary depending on factors like geographic location, the industry you’re interested in, and the specific AI skills you possess. Of course, the job market is also subject to economic and technological changes.
To get the most accurate and up-to-date information, consider checking job boards, industry reports, and reputable sources for the latest trends in the AI job market. Networking with professionals in the field and staying informed about industry developments can also provide valuable insights into current job market conditions.
An AI degree can help you learn the basics needed to enter this challenging field. If you want to build software or machines that respond to the environment around them, this might be the right field for you. For example, AI can provide solutions that mitigate the impact of client change and predict the path of disease.
Even if you’re just looking for job security, this is one of the most in-demand skill sets you can develop.
What Are the Highest-Paying AI Careers?
Whether you are a returning adult student or just entering college, you may have the same question. How do I get into AI and what can I do to succeed in not only the program but my future career? You can recognize that AI is likely to impact almost every industry in the future. Therefore, taking classes that support your area of expertise may be in your best interest.
With a little experience and the education you need to succeed, you can easily find yourself making great money in the future. Here’s a quick look at some of the most lucrative AI careers.
Job Title | Average Salary |
---|---|
Computer and Information Research Scientists | $131,000 |
Computer and Information Managers | $159,000 |
Computer Network Architects | $220,000 |
Computer Hardware Engineers | $128,000 |
Although these salaries are impressive, it’s important to remember that you may hold many other titles. However, entry-level salaries are competitive with other industries and exceed the average salary of most wage earners.
Above all, an AI bachelor’s degree gives you the skills that you need to jumpstart your career. It’s also a great way to segue from one field to another. Do your research and choose the right school, comparing their core classes to ensure they integrate your academic and career goals well.
Related:
Top 10 Bachelor of Computer Science Degree Programs
20 Best Online Bachelors of Data Science Programs