Artificial Intelligence is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. According to a study by PwC, AI has the potential to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030.
With the greatest economic gains in North America (14.5% boost) and China (26% boost to GDP in 2030). Growing demand for AI has resulted in a rise in AI degrees. More and more universities are now introducing degrees for AI that help students land a job in the AI industry.
But with so many options available it’s difficult to find which degree is the best for AI. In this article, we are going to take a look at What’s the Best Degree for Artificial Intelligence, its requirements, career options, and much more.
Undergraduate vs. Graduate Degrees: Which is Best for Learning Artificial Intelligence?
Both Undergraduate and Graduate Degrees fulfill different necessities and requirements. Like, the undergraduate is a perfect option for Entry-level jobs, especially in data analysis and software development.
The undergraduate programs help provide a broad foundation of Mathematics, Computer Science, and other fields essential for the understanding of the fundamentals of AI.
Meanwhile, the Graduate Degree in AI helps provide an in-depth knowledge about Artificial Intelligence providing more options to study AI compared to undergraduate options.
It contains specialized courses in various areas such as Machine Learning, Natural language processing, computer vision, etc. Graduate programs often help provide advancement of AI technology and involve various research projects to enhance your understanding of AI.
A graduate degree is essential for those individuals who are interested in working as an AI Researcher, Architect, or project manager. When choosing a degree it’s important you are clear with your goal and understand the necessary skills required for each industry.
Another thing to keep in mind while selecting your degree is the cost, Undergraduate programs are less expensive compared to Graduate Degrees.
Artificial Intelligence Master’s Degree Requirements
Artificial Intelligence Master’s Degrees often contain various requirements. For starters, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or any related field. Apart from this, different universities contain different prerequisite courses such as Python, Calculus, or Java.
Candidates might also need to provide a letter of recommendation, a GRE score, and a personal essay describing their interest in the AI industry and their previous experiences related to the industry. In some cases, the university places a minimum GRE score of 80th percentile for the quantitative category.
What’s the Best Degree for Artificial Intelligence Jobs?
To land a job in the Artificial Intelligence industry, you must pursue a degree that helps you learn and understand the concepts of AI and related fields. If you are wondering what is the best course for artificial intelligence then below we have mentioned some of the best AI degree options for you.
1. Artificial intelligence
A Degree in Artificial intelligence helps students understand the concepts of AI technology and gain an in-depth look at what the entire AI industry is about. This degree specifically specializes in students working in the AI industry.
By pursuing a degree in Artificial Intelligence studies students will get to learn how to use advanced Mathematics, Engineering, and computer science. Students will be able to experience the creation of machines and systems and more.
However, this degree does open the doors to which industry a student might eventually enter since students graduating in AI can apply to different fields. Some of the popular AI jobs include AI specialist, machine learning engineer, robotics engineer, computational linguist, and more.
If you have an interest in the AI field and want to learn more about it then pursuing an artificial intelligence bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree is perfect for you.
2. Computer science
Computer Science degrees are another excellent option for you if you want a job in Artificial Intelligence. A Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in Computer science can lead to a variety of career options although the fundamental courses of this degree are software development, design, and analysis.
This course is more than just coding and creating programs, it requires skills such as critical thinking about optimal solutions to any AI problem such as evaluating code efficiency, implementing complex algorithms, and more.
Most schools with Engineering, Mathematics, Science, and Technology offer Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science. Some of the popular school options to pursue Computer science are Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, etc.
3. Data Science
Data Science degrees prepare students for researching and working with large-scale data. This degree helps prepare students on how to use vast amounts of data to make predictions which can be useful in generating beneficial solutions that can help guide business decisions.
Usually, Data science degrees have a huge demand in marketing, financial sectors, and E-commerce industries. Obtaining, analyzing, and using a large set of data often requires significant expertise making it a high-demand job in the Artificial Intelligence sector.
The University of Chicago and Northwestern University are among some of the colleges that offer a Master’s degree in Data Science. While, if you are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Drexel University or Purdue University might be a good option.
4. Mathematics
Another great degree option for an artificial intelligence job is Mathematics. You should know that AI draws highly on mathematics concepts which makes it an excellent degree option for having a career in this field.
While pursuing this degree, students might take courses in applied mathematics which might also include algorithms and computational methods.
To gain a better knowledge about these techniques it’s recommended to take some technology classes such as Programming or other related courses in AI.
5. Statistics
A Degree in Statistics helps students understand the process of statistical models that are utilized in the AI industry to create applications that can help simulate human behavior.
By pursuing Statistics users have an opportunity to gain jobs in Machine learning areas which requires Programming computers to statistical methods to make useful predictions that can be helpful for businesses.
Usually, another domain that students can pursue is AI Research, as it requires good knowledge of statistical models to create new applications.
6. Robotics
A Robotics degree helps students learn and explore the world of design and development of robotics systems including those systems and applications utilized in the AI industry.
Even though this degree involves a large part of electrical and mechanical engineering courses compared to other degrees. Robotics is a physical embodiment of AI systems.
A Robotics Degree can help you gain a job as a robotics engineer in the AI industry who is responsible for the generation of numerous robotics systems.
What Careers Are There for Artificial Intelligence Majors?
There is a wide range of career options available for Artificial Intelligence majors such as Software engineering, Robotics engineering, data science, and more. Let’s take a detailed look at these careers.
1. Data Scientist
One of the best careers for an Artificial Intelligence major is Data Scientist. A Data scientist is responsible for collecting and analyzing important data and information about a company.
Based on the collected data from numerous sources, the data scientist generates predictions that can help the businesses identify useful opportunities that can lead to the growth of the company.
Data scientists are largely hired by technology and finance companies to make useful predictions.
Salary of Data Scientist:
The average base salary for a Data Scientist is $124568 per year in the United States.
2. Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineering is another great career option for an AI major. The main purpose of an ML engineer is to analyze and build Artificial Intelligence systems by implementing appropriate ML algorithms and conducting several tests and experiments.
We can say an ML Engineer is the center of the AI industry as they are the ones who build the AI system. Usually, Machine learning engineers work under the Data Science team, and collaborate with other IT experts, software experts, data scientists, data analysts, DevOps experts, and more.
Salary of Machine Learning Engineer:
The Average salary base of a machine learning engineer in the United States is $160,006.
3. Computer Engineer
The job role of a computer engineer is to design, create, and maintain computer systems and hardware systems. Computer engineers appear as a problem-solver in the industry.
This job role includes a high amount of research and development, quality assurance, and testing. Apart from personal devices, Computer engineers also work towards creating robotics, networks, and other computer-based systems.
Salary of Computer Engineer:
The Average base salary of a computer engineer in the United States is $87,519.
4. Robotics Engineer
A Robotics Engineer designs and develops various robotic systems. Usually, these robotics engineers work and create autonomous machines for numerous industries such as Manufacturing, automotive, mining, and more.
In some cases, a robotics engineer might find themselves assigned to work on the on-site location of a manufacturing plant to monitor and oversee the robots while they are being produced by the company.
Robotics engineers basically combine the elements of both Electrical and Mechanical engineering with Computer Science.
Salary of Robotics Engineer:
The Average salary base of a Robotics Engineer in the United States is $109,702.
5. Software Engineer
Lastly, Software Engineers who are also referred to as developers are another popular career choice for AI majors. A Software Engineer is responsible for creating and designing computer systems and applications to solve real-life problems.
They often use programming languages, architectures, and platforms to develop various computer systems or applications. In addition, A software engineer might also work on testing, improving, and maintenance of the software built by fellow engineers.
Salary of Software Engineer:
The Average salary base for a software engineer in the United States is $117,684.
AI Engineer Salary After Degrees in 2023: US, India, Canada and More
At the moment, AI engineering is one of the most in-demand career options across the globe thanks to the phenomenal growth of the AI industry. So, let’s take a look at the Salary of an AI Engineer in the US, India, Canada, and More countries.
- United States: The annual compensation of an AI Engineer in the United States is over $110,000.
- India: The annual earning of an AI Engineer in India is around 10 lakh.
- Canada: The average compensation of an AI Engineer in Canada is over 85,000 C$.
- Germany: The annual AI Engineer earnings in Germany is around €84,574.
- Europe: The average earnings of an AI Engineer in Europe falls under 60,000 pounds per annum.
- Australia: The earnings of an AI Engineer in Australia is AUD 154,933.
- Singapore: The salary of an AI Engineer in Singapore falls under the range of S$90,000 – S$170,000.
FAQs
Are AI degrees worth it?
Yes, AI degrees are worth it as they help open doors to various opportunities in the AI field and increase your salary potential. AI degrees help students understand the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and gain better knowledge about the industry. So, if you are someone who wants a job in the AI field then an AI degree is worth it for you.
Is majoring in AI hard?
Yes, majoring in AI can be demanding, as the AI field includes numerous elements such as Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science. However, the overall outcome depends on your capabilities, background, and drive. If you have experience in Calculus, statistics, research, and computer science then you might be able to understand the concepts easily.
What are the highest-paying AI careers?
The Top Highest-paying AI careers are as follows:
- Computer vision engineer (Average – $168,803)
- AI Engineer (Average – $160,757)
- Data Scientist (Average – $124568)
- AI research scientist (Average – $115,443)
- Machine Learning Engineer (Average – $109,143)
Is there a Bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence USA?
Yes, there are several Bachelor’s degrees in artificial intelligence in the USA such as a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (STEM) in the Midwest, a Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence degree program at Full Sail University, a Data Science BSc program from Mississippi State University, and more.
So, Which Degree is Best for a Career in Artificial Intelligence?
The best degree for a career in Artificial Intelligence completely depends on your goals, interests, and needs. For example, if you are interested in designing, building, and managing computer hardware systems then Computer engineering is perfect for you.
But if you are someone who is leaning towards working with algorithms and Machine learning degree is ideal for you. Therefore, you need to look into your interests and likes to determine the best degree for yourself.
