What Does AI Stand For?

What does AI stand for?

AI stands for artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, such as computer systems. AI is used in many technology-driven industries, such as health care, finance, transportation, and much more.

Read more: What is Artificial Intelligence? Definition, Uses, and Types

How does AI work?

At the heart of AI are algorithms. Humans set up algorithms in a computerized system. Algorithms are clear sets of instructions that the computer should follow to solve a problem or complete a task. When algorithms receive input and process data, they learn patterns and characteristics that help them make more intelligent decisions as time goes on.

AI uses different technologies to carry out these and many other tasks, such as speech recognition, word translation, maps and navigation, image search, and more. These technologies include machine learning, deep learning, neural networks, natural language processing, computer vision, and cognitive computing.   

An AI example: Autocorrect

One example of how AI works is the autocorrect feature that you probably use on your smartphone when typing a text. If you type an "i" but meant to type a letter near it, such as "o" to write the word "cold," your phone would access its dictionaries and likely autocorrect "cild" to "cold."

Over time, your phone will learn the words you type most often and auto-suggest them for you, including names of family and friends or company jargon you often use. If it suggests a word you're not looking for, the AI learns and becomes more accurate in future suggestions.

Read more: Deep Learning vs Machine Learning: Beginner's Guide

Use cases for AI  

AI is used to design machines that will perform human-like tasks. Some common uses you may be familiar with include self-driving cars, chatbots, e-payments, facial recognition software used on smartphones, and smart assistants like Siri or Alexa. These are all examples of AI in action. 

Companies are using AI to optimize productivity in many ways, such as:

• Eliminating repetitive tasks for employees

• Allowing for a more efficient supply chain

• Increasing cybersecurity 

• Generating quick responses to customer needs or questions

These uses look a little different based on the industry. Industry-specific applications of artificial intelligence include: 

• Health care: AI-assisted robotic surgery, telemedicine

• Robotics: Vision control, motor control, learning, cooperative behavior

• Engineering: Fault diagnosis, predictive maintenance, intelligent control systems

• Marketing: Tailored and targeted messaging

• Customer service: Chatbots 

Career paths in AI 

Many career options are available in the field of AI. Some people get their start in machine learning and move into more specialized jobs. Because so many industries use a form of AI, there are quite a few possibilities if you’re considering a career in this field. 

A few examples of careers in AI include: 

• AI engineer

• Machine learning engineer 

• Data engineer

• Robotics engineer 

• Data scientist 

Many careers in AI pay very well. Even entry-level positions earn an average of $85,035 a year in the US, according to ZipRecruiter [1]. Examples of entry-level job titles in AI are junior data analyst, information systems analyst, and junior imagery analyst. 

Mid- to upper-level careers in AI include jobs specific to machine learning, like machine learning engineering or machine learning software engineering. Expect a range of $97,000 to $158,000 a year, depending on your location and industry, as a machine learning engineer [2]. 

Read more: 6 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Jobs to Consider in 2023

How to get into an AI career

Since AI is such a fast-growing, emerging field, there are many ways to get into AI. 

The necessary qualifications will vary based on the job. While many AI jobs require a degree, there are plenty of developers and engineers who have gained entry into this field by learning skills, getting experience, and earning certifications.

Earn a degree

While you don’t always need a degree to work in AI, many hiring managers still require a bachelor's degree at minimum in fields like computer science, mathematics, statistics, or information technology. An associate degree or technical boot camp may be sufficient to get a job as a software engineer working in AI. However, upper-level positions will likely require master’s or even a doctorate.  Some common coursework for students who know they want to direct their studies toward a career in AI include:

• Machine learning 

• Deep learning 

• Natural language processes

• AI representation and problem-solving  

• Computer vision and image analysis 

Read more: Your Guide to Artificial Intelligence (AI) Degrees

Get certified

Certifications offer another potential pathway to careers in AI. Some useful certifications for anyone seeking a career in AI are those that teach programming languages. Many employers in the field of AI ask that applicants show proficiency in up to five programming languages. Since these jobs often pay well, the competition is high.

Whether or not you have a degree, you may want to get certified in areas specific to artificial intelligence, like machine learning or deep learning, to help you move further into the field of AI. Examples of AI certifications include:

• Certified Artificial Intelligence Engineer (CAIE™)

• Certified Artificial Intelligence Consultant (CAIC™)

• Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS™)

• Artificial Intelligence Engineer (AIE™)

The future of AI 

The need for artificial intelligence is growing by the day. More industries are adopting AI to complete important tasks and keep systems secure. Within the next decade, we can expect to see autonomous cars, AI-powered robots working alongside humans, digitized textbooks, and virtual nursing assistants, just to name a few examples. 

The next step in your AI journey

If the field of artificial intelligence sounds like an exciting new adventure, start by researching jobs you’d like to pursue. Enroll in a university to earn your bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field or earn some certifications in an area of specialty. The potential payoff for educating yourself in this field could be high.

Coursera offers online courses in AI, at different levels of experience, from industry leaders. Consider IBM's Introduction to Artificial Intelligence course and DeepLearning.AI's AI for Everyone course, both for beginners, as well as more advanced options like IBM's AI Engineering Professional Certificate.