Artificial Intelligence is unlocking a wave of new career paths across industries, creating high demand for skilled professionals, JUSTICE OKAMGBA writes
The demand for AI professionals has surged in recent years and is expected to grow as AI continues transforming industries.
The global AI market is projected to expand from $150 bn in 2023 to over $1.3 trn by 2030, driving increased demand for skilled workers, according to research from MarketsandMarkets.
In 2023, job postings requiring AI skills rose over 200 per cent compared to 2022, with specialised fields like generative AI seeing a 450 per cent increase.
Machine learning engineer
PhD holder in Artificial Intelligence, Marcin Chady, described machine learning engineering as one of the most foundational roles in the field.
“You basically sit in front of the computer and think long and hard about statistics and linear algebra, trying different learning models and testing them,” Chady said.
Digital marketing expert Ahmad Tayyab said this role involves designing and developing machine learning models and algorithms. “It includes tasks such as data preprocessing, model training, and deployment,” he said.
Data scientist
The explosion of data across industries has made data science an essential part of AI development.
“Data scientists use statistical methods and machine learning techniques to analyse and interpret complex data,” Tayyab said. “They help organisations make data-driven decisions.”
Quora writer Adeel Ahmad also identified data science as one of the core AI jobs available. “It’s all about uncovering insights from vast datasets,” he said.
AI research scientist
“AI research scientists are advancing the field through experimentation and innovation,” said Tayyab. “They often work on the underlying algorithms and frameworks that power AI systems.”
Ahmad noted that this role is ideal for individuals who enjoy developing cutting-edge techniques and pushing the boundaries of what AI can do.
AI Engineer
Combining technical implementation with software integration, the AI engineer’s job is to build functional systems.
“AI engineers integrate machine learning models into real-world software and hardware solutions,” said Tayyab. “They ensure that AI capabilities are embedded in products in a scalable way.”
Computer vision engineer
Computer vision, which enables machines to ‘see’ and understand images and videos, is becoming increasingly important across sectors.
“These engineers develop algorithms that interpret and process visual information,” said Tayyab. “From self-driving cars to medical imaging, the applications are endless.”
Ahmad highlighted that engineers in this field work closely with deep learning tools to train systems that can detect, classify, and respond to visual stimuli.
Natural language processing engineer
Another growing area is natural language processing—enabling machines to understand and generate human language.
“This includes working on tasks such as language translation, sentiment analysis, and conversational agents like chatbots,” Tayyab explained.
According to Ahmad, NLP engineers focus on the human-AI language interface. “They make machines capable of understanding and communicating using human text,” he said.
Robotics engineer
AI’s role in robotics is giving rise to a new wave of opportunities, especially in automation and hardware integration.
“Robotics engineers figure out how to apply the latest materials and electronic components to make things move and sense the environment,” said Chady.
Tayyab added that these professionals build autonomous systems and design robots capable of performing complex tasks with minimal human input.
AI product manager
While not purely technical, the role of an AI product manager is crucial for ensuring that AI systems meet user needs.
“Product managers oversee development from conception to launch,” Tayyab said. “They balance user feedback, technical limitations, and business goals.”
This role is particularly important in startups and tech firms, where the line between technical and strategic work often blurs.
AI ethicist
With great power comes great responsibility—and that includes the ethical implications of AI systems.
“As AI becomes more influential, we need professionals who ensure its fair and responsible use,” said a computer scientist, Glenn Riley. “AI ethicists work on bias detection, transparency, and privacy.”
Tayyab noted that these specialists are also involved in policy and governance, helping shape the rules that guide AI development.
Big data engineer
Data is the lifeblood of AI, and managing it requires specialised skills.
“Big data engineers process and manage large datasets that are crucial for training AI models,” said Tayyab. “They ensure the data infrastructure supports AI operations effectively.”
Ahmad noted that these roles often overlap with cloud computing and storage technologies.
AI consultant
For organisations looking to adopt AI, consultants play a vital role in helping them navigate the transition.
“AI consultants provide strategic guidance on how to implement AI tools, optimise processes, and identify areas of opportunity,” said Riley.
According to Tayyab, consultants bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions, making them valuable across all industries.
AI trainer and assessor
Less discussed but equally important are those who train AI models and assess their performance.
“AI systems require curated datasets to learn effectively,” said Riley. “Trainers prepare these datasets while assessors evaluate the models’ accuracy and fairness.”
These roles are especially relevant in companies focused on improving the reliability of AI outputs, including speech recognition and image classification.
Virtual and augmented reality developer
AI is playing a key role in immersive technologies like virtual and augmented reality.
“AI-powered VR and AR are transforming industries like gaming, healthcare, and education,” said Riley. “Developers skilled in both areas are in high demand.”
These professionals are responsible for creating immersive environments that respond intelligently to user interactions.
Cybersecurity analyst
As AI systems become more prevalent, so too do the threats against them.
“Cybersecurity analysts ensure that AI systems are secure from vulnerabilities and attacks,” said Riley. “They protect sensitive models and data.”
This role is gaining attention amid concerns over deepfakes, model poisoning, and data breaches.
AI programmer in video games
AI’s influence has also extended into the entertainment sector, particularly gaming.
“It’s not really AI, but it’s about making virtual characters behave as if they’re smart,” said Chady. “It’s mostly smoke and mirrors, but the problems are fun and challenging nevertheless.”
Conclusion
Despite concerns that AI may displace human workers, experts believe the future lies in collaboration between humans and machines.
“People worry that AI will take over,” said Lu. “But today’s AI is mostly based on statistics. It learns patterns but can’t think or create. We, as humans, are still far more complex.”
Ultimately, the AI job market is expanding—not contracting—offering exciting and varied opportunities for those willing to adapt and learn.
“AI may automate certain tasks,” said Riley, “but it also creates demand for jobs that require creativity, critical thinking, and ethical judgement—skills only humans can offer.”