Become a Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional

As society grows ever-more reliant on automated systems and smart devices, the right skills to enhance and advance such technologies will see increasingly high demand.

In fact, Australia is already grappling with a growing skills gap in the field, with our country seeking up to 161,000 new artificial intelligence (AI) specialists by 2030. Such professionals are specifically required in areas of machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision – among other AI-related sectors.

The industry is additionally expected to bring plenty of economic benefit, including raised incomes and increased service quality and efficiency.

There’s therefore never been a better time to pursue a career in artificial intelligence. With the right training and experience, you can gain the qualifications required to excel in this ever-expanding, in-demand field.

We break down the best steps to getting certified as an Artificial Intelligence Professional, and how Lumify Learn can help.

Determine your desired specialty

Before diving into the world of AI, it firstly helps to do your background research.

Though robots and futuristic vehicles are typically first to come to mind, the profession is actually comprised of multiple, diverse areas of computer science. Depending on which you pursue, you may end up with a focused role in coding, research, or data analytics. All roles generally strive towards a common goal: to help businesses manage, analyse, and optimise data for better decisions, customer service, and development.

A quick search on LinkedIn pulls up a myriad of common AI specialties, these including: AI engineers, data scientists, solutions engineers, researchers, consultants, and product managers. Take the time to assess your current skills, professional background, and interests to identify the sectors best suited to you. Fortunately, as many overlap with other, existing IT fields – one’s current technical skills are often transferable into the AI industry.

Pursue online training

Once you’ve decided on a specific role or specialty, it’s time to build your skills. Courses are often a recommended pathway to gaining industry-standard competencies and professional experience.

Fortunately, there are now plenty of online training providers for those seeking flexible study options – and with the global pandemic pushing services to the digital scape, they’re more accessible than ever before.

Online courses are also commonly a convenient choice for those with current employment or educational commitments; as they allow students to train wherever and whenever best suits them. With most AI-related work done through digital or online tools, the educational material provided is often well-suited to this mode of “virtual” study.

Lumify Learn is one such provider of online training in artificial intelligence. Through their specialised course, professionals can dive into fundamental concepts of algorithm development, language processing, and machine learning; equipping them for an entry-level AI career. The subjects cover additionally align with the areas required for a Microsoft Azure certification – the final step to verifying one’ skills for successful industry employment.

Brush up on your soft skills

While technical abilities are a must, soft skills are essential to any sector in tech – including artificial intelligence.

After all, working in the AI field has a primary focus on replicating human-like responses, behaviour, and activity among digital systems and machines; so the ability to not only understand, but predict face-to-face interactions, can greatly elevate your skills.

Aside from this, the AI sector requires experts with excellent communication skills, as workers will often be asked to explain critical data, information, and events to stakeholders in plain, non-technical language. With specialty areas as complex as deep or machine learning, the ability to translate such subjects into colloquial terms is crucial.

Additionally, strong analytical and critical thinking skills are necessary to devise creative, efficient, yet cost-effective solutions. This involves the ability to assess and evaluate large sets of information (especially among those focused on data science), as the field is comprised of endless numbers and raw data. The business foresight to predict future technological innovations is also a valuable skill, helping experts design solutions that keep a company competitive and “state-of-the-art”.

Get certified with Microsoft

Once you’ve built the required skills and experience through training, you can then choose to verify your skills through certification.

Microsoft currently offers a wide range of world-renowned certifications in various IT fields – including artificial intelligence. Their qualifications often lead to faster employment and promotion; and improves one’s productivity and efficiency in the workplace (by up to 90% and 60%, respectively). Those certified also typically earn more than their counterparts – with 27% reportedly gaining a salary increase directly after certification, according to 2019-2020 statistics.

As those who complete Lumify Learn’s artificial intelligence course have acquired skills applicable to a Microsoft Azure environment, getting Microsoft-certified is often the best next step.

Those pursuing this pathway can strive for either their Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Fundamentals certificate or their intermediate Azure AI Engineer Associate certificate.

Microsoft’s Fundamentals certification has primary focus on the features of AI essentials, including computer vision, natural language processing, and conversational AI workloads. Their Engineer Associate certification, on the other hand, dives into complex AI solutions and how one designs, implements, and monitors them.

Both require rigorous training and preparation – so it’s important to equip yourself with quality training and practice.

Build your skills through personal projects

While certification may seem like the end goal, succeeding in the AI field doesn’t stop at qualifications. One must consistently practice and build their skills alongside the industry’s constant developments. With new discoveries and advancements made each year, professionals must ensure their knowledge stays relevant and competitive.

Continuous training may be necessary, and with the multitude of online courses, workshops, and multimedia material available, it’s a practice that’s never been easier. However, pursuing personal projects and digital ventures may be key to unlocking one’s full potential – as one not only encounters new lessons and opportunities, but also the chance to put their existing knowledge to practice, and further newly-acquired skills in the process.

Additionally, pursuing your own AI-related activities and projects can help expand your professional portfolio – demonstrating both your technical skills and creative initiative to future employers.

Train for your AI certification today!

Becoming an AI professional starts with proper skills training and experience.

As mentioned, Lumify Learn currently offers a specialised course in Artificial Intelligence – training students in areas of deep/machine learning, natural language processing, and cognitive computing (among others); with focused studies in essential coding languages such as Python, Javascript, and MySQL. Subjects are additionally applicable to a Microsoft Azure (or TensorFlow) environment, providing an effective learning path for those seeking Microsoft certification.

Best of all, the course is delivered completely online, helping one train around their personal needs and schedule.

Build the skills required to become a Certified Artificial Intelligence Professional today, and enquire with us on the course.