Why Study Artificial Intelligence? An In-Depth Look
AI Education

Why Study Artificial Intelligence? An In-Depth Look

Mandi D 19 November 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time. From self-driving cars to virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, AI has become deeply embedded in our daily lives. As AI continues to evolve rapidly, studying this field has become increasingly important for a variety of compelling reasons. In this in-depth article, we will explore the multidimensional case for studying AI and why it should be part of any forward-looking academic curriculum.

The Growing Prominence and Influence of AI

One of the most obvious reasons to study AI is its growing prominence and influence across industries. AI is moving beyond narrow applications like playing chess and is now powering breakthrough innovations. According to a PwC report, AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. The potential economic impact makes building AI expertise through academic study a prudent career investment.

AI is already being deployed in diverse sectors like healthcare, transportation, finance, agriculture, and more. For example, AI powers fraud detection in banking, personalized treatment recommendations in medicine, and predictive analytics in insurance. Companies across industries are using AI to drive efficiency, uncover insights from data, and create innovative products and services. Having a robust understanding of AI through formal education can open up exciting career opportunities in leading companies at the forefront of deploying AI.

With AI’s potential to automate certain tasks and jobs, there are also rising concerns about its implications for employment. This underscores the importance of studying AI deeply to ensure that its development and use align with ethical principles and benefit society as a whole. An academic grounding sets the right foundation to steer the progress of AI in a responsible direction.

Develop In-Demand Technical Skills

The technically complex nature of AI algorithms and systems implies that studying AI equips students with highly valued technical skills. Core AI subjects like machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, and natural language processing teach the nitty-gritty of how AI systems are created.

This know-how is in tremendous demand across technology companies and organizations deploying AI. Roles like machine learning engineers, AI researchers, data scientists, and AI ethicists require a solid grasp of AI that studying the field provides. In particular, skills related to applying sophisticated machine learning algorithms on large datasets are especially coveted. With data becoming the fuel powering AI, mastering data science skills gives students a distinct edge.

Technical AI skills also enable students to build and implement AI systems and products. Being able to take an idea from conception to development using AI tools and technologies is a major asset. Students with such well-rounded AI competencies are well-poised for leadership roles guiding AI strategy and development in any organization.

Unlocking Multiple Career Paths

AI serves as an academic gateway to many promising career paths. Here are some of the many options that studying AI opens up:

  • AI and Machine Learning Engineer: Design, build, and optimize AI algorithms and systems.
  • Data Scientist: Turn raw data into actionable insights using statistics, programming, and AI models.
  • Business Intelligence Developer: Use AI to analyze business data and help organizations make better decisions.
  • Computer Vision Engineer: Develop AI systems that can process and analyze visual data.
  • Natural Language Processing Specialist: Work on AI models that can understand, interpret, and generate human language.
  • Robotics Engineer: Build and program intelligent robots and autonomous systems powered by AI.
  • AI Ethicist: Ensure AI systems are aligned with ethical and societal values.
  • AI Professor/Researcher: Advance the fundamental understanding and capabilities of AI through academic research.

This range of options allows students to align their AI education with their talents, interests, and aspirations. Those interested in business can pursue AI in finance, marketing, or HR. Students intrigued by biology can apply AI to fields like drug discovery or genetics. Possibilities are vast for using AI expertise across functions.

Gain a Competitive Edge

In today’s tech-driven economy, having in-demand AI skills gives graduates a significant competitive advantage. AI expertise is scarce. As organizations scramble to adopt AI, talent with AI knowledge is being richly rewarded. According to Glassdoor, machine learning engineers and data scientists earn average salaries above $120,000 in the United States.

Recent computer science and tech graduates equipped with AI qualifications stand out for technology leadership roles. With technology evolving swiftly, being on the cutting-edge with AI capabilities signals to employers that a graduate will be an asset in navigating change. Recruiters at leading tech firms actively target and prioritize applicants with coursework or research experience in AI.

A survey by LinkedIn found that AI skills were among the fastest growing skills for LinkedIn members. Demonstrable AI knowledge serves as a proxy for a candidate having future-ready tech skills. With AI only becoming more pervasive, students can future-proof their careers by studying AI today.

Apply AI for Social Good

Beyond industry applications, studying AI also empowers students to leverage technology for the greater social good. Applying AI to tackle pressing societal challenges is a compelling way for students to give back to communities. This marries technological innovation with altruism – bringing out the best of both worlds.

Some examples of social initiatives powered by AI include:

  • Using computer vision to prevent poaching of endangered wildlife
  • Leveraging natural language processing to combat misinformation online
  • Applying AI to medical research to accelerate disease diagnosis and drug discovery
  • Deploying AI chatbots and resources to support mental health
  • Developing apps to aid visually impaired users through image to speech translation

Non-profits and governmental agencies are also keen to tap AI talent for public welfare projects. Studying real-world case studies shows students how they can align AI with their social values. This awareness further motivates students to grow into responsible, ethical AI professionals.

Gain Interdisciplinary Perspectives

AI intersects with concepts from several fields like neuroscience, psychology, philosophy, biology, economics, and more. This rich interdisciplinary mix is part of what makes studying AI so rewarding. Students get exposed to many diverse ideas, theories, and schools of thought.

For example, techniques like neural networks in AI are inspired by how the human brain works. Philosophical debates around machine consciousness and intelligence predate modern AI. Economics provides a framework to weigh AI’s impact on jobs, productivity, and growth.

This interdisciplinary character of AI content trains students to synthesize knowledge across subjects. Being able to make connections between AI and other disciplines boosts creativity and cognitive flexibility. Such broad-based learning equips students with superior analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Conclusion

AI’s ascent as a dual-use technology that is driving breakthrough innovations across sectors while raising concerns makes it imperative to study AI’s evolution. Building a strong base of AI knowledge through academic programs unlocks myriad benefits for students. It paves the way for coveted tech careers, imparts in-demand skills, spurs innovation for social good, and offers rich interdisciplinary perspectives.

As AI’s applications continue to grow, robust AI education provides a vital foundation to steer AI’s use in a responsible, ethical, and inclusive direction. Students with immersive AI learning are best positioned to become future leaders who can balance AI’s benefits and risks. Studying AI today is an investment into being prepared for an increasingly tech-shaped tomorrow.

Further Online References and Resources

  1. PWC Report: AI to Drive GDP: This is a detailed report by PWC, forecasting the economic impact of AI in the near future. It provides a comprehensive analysis of how AI could contribute to the global economy by 2030.
  2. LinkedIn 2020 Emerging Jobs Report: This report provides a comprehensive look at the fastest-growing jobs in the US, including AI specialist roles. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in future job trends in the AI field.
  3. DeepMind’s AI Solves Protein Folding Problem: This blog post from Google’s DeepMind discusses how they used AI to solve the complex problem of protein folding. It illustrates the potential of AI to contribute to significant scientific discoveries.

Choosing to study AI can open up a world of possibilities. From creating innovative solutions and contributing to economic growth, to a variety of career options, the field of AI has much to offer. Whether you are a student deciding on a major or a professional considering a career switch, AI offers an exciting and rewarding path.