The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has come with unprecedented job creation, including entirely new AI-focused roles.
One recent position is that of an AI trainer, expected to grow in popularity and need in the coming years. Put simply, AI trainers teach chatbots, virtual assistants and other tech sources to interact in a human-like manner.
Job responsibilities vary by industry, but there are shared skills and training that make for strong and ethical tech leaders. Keep reading for an explanation of this new career opportunity, useful educational tools, salary expectations and more.
What Is an AI Trainer?
AI trainer positions have been incorporated across a wide range of industries as organizations work to harness the potential of new technology. From healthcare and finance to customer service and education, the demand for skilled professionals to train and fine-tune AI models continues to grow.
The following is an overview of an AI trainer role in various settings:
| Technology | – Train AI models using datasets to improve accuracy and performance – Work closely with data scientists and engineers to refine AI systems for efficiency – Fine-tune algorithms – Optimize AI models for specific tasks |
| Healthcare | – Implement AI models to analyze medical images such as X-rays, MRIs and CT scans – Create and refine algorithms to detect patterns in patient data to diagnose potential diseases or predictive treatment |
| Customer service | – Leverage chatbots and virtual assistants to respond to customer service inquiries 24/7 with natural-sounding language – Refine models based on user interaction to enhance customer experiences |
| Finance and banking | – Train models to conduct fraud detection and risk assessment – Assist banking customers with account functions such as deposits, withdrawals and transfers |
| Education | – Enhance learning by personalizing lesson plans – Program AI to assist teachers with grading assignments quickly and accurately – Power interactive games that teach academic skills such as reading and math |
Education for the AI Trainer
As an AI trainer, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining AI models, understanding the data they rely on to operate and communicating with other IT experts and stakeholders.
It is helpful to have a background in technology, mathematics, science or engineering, as well as any industry-specific subjects you may be interested in pursuing. More lucrative AI leadership roles require at least a master’s degree in order to take on the added responsibilities of management and advanced projects.
One of the country’s only 100% online master’s degree programs in artificial intelligence is offered by the University of San Diego. Courses take a total of 20 months to complete, and are updated in-step with the fast-paced industry. From the comfort of home, students are given access to faculty with standout experience in the field.
Curriculum is focused on technical strategies and skills to prepare those who are new to real-world applications and professionals seeking to deepen their skill set. The program culminates with a Capstone experience that hones students’ abilities and applies them to the workplace.
Important AI Trainer Skills and Tools
To be a successful AI trainer, you will need a combination of hard and soft skills that showcase your diverse interests and talents.
Hard skills provide the technical expertise needed to develop and maintain AI models, while soft skills enable effective communication with stakeholders, creativity and a passion to keep up with the latest technology.
Consider these hard skills that are often sought when an employer is looking to fill an AI trainer job:
- Data analysis. Inspecting and closely examining data to pull meaningful insights, identify patterns and make improvements.
- Machine learning. Developing algorithms and statistical models, in essence allowing computers to learn from data and use it to make predictions.
- Programming. Writing and instructing code to perform specific tasks.
- Data visualization. Creating graphs, charts and models to convey information to coworkers, including those who may not be familiar with the technical side of AI.
- Cloud computing. Liaising between the consumer and the cloud system in which data is stored and secured.
- Algorithm optimization. Refining algorithms to improve efficiency with techniques such as code refactoring, using more efficient data structures and applying mathematical insights.
The following soft skills are also highly valued in an AI trainer role:
- Communication. Essential for sharing information with team members and stakeholders.
- Problem-solving. Dealing with inevitable challenges that arise.
- Passion for continuous learning. A must for the ever-changing AI landscape.
- Organization. To balance responsibilities and take on synchronous projects.
- Strong ethics. A hot topic when it comes to AI; specifically, knowledge of the guidelines that govern development and use for fairness, transparency and accountability.
AI Trainer Job Outlook
Job outlook and earning potential are promising for computer and information research scientists, which includes AI trainers. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment was projected to rise 23% in the decade from 2022 to 2032, much higher than the average for all occupations, which is 3%.
Workers looking to enter the occupation typically need a master’s degree to do so; however, the rewards of advance training are substantial. The median annual salary in 2021 was reported at $131,490, with the lowest 10% earning less than $81,450 and the highest 10% earning more than $233,110.
Choosing to advance your career is a big decision. That’s why USD created a free eBook, 8 Questions to Ask Before Selecting an Applied Artificial Intelligence Master’s Program, to help guide you through the process.
