According to Statista, the AI market value is projected to reach USD 305.90 billion in 2024. The experts estimate the market growth at a CAGR of 15.83% during 2024-2030. This year, the increased adoption of AI will be seen in numerous sectors. It includes retail, telecommunication, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, media and entertainment, etc. Businesses and organizations are understanding the potential of AI professionals to ease processes, boost efficiency, and drive more innovation. If you want to secure a career in AI and machine learning (ML), apply for AI certificate programs online.

AI Career Outlook

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that computer and information research growth opportunities will rise by 23% between 2022 and 2032. Aspirants could work as consultants, freelancers, practitioners, computer vision engineers, ML engineers, or researchers. Moreover, they can develop their own artificial intelligence products. Previous education, experience, and background are crucial factors in determining eligibility for the type of roles or positions to pursue.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the annual median salaries of potential jobs in the AI career –

• Computer Programmers - $93,000
• Computer Systems Analysts - $99,270
• Computer Support Specialists - $57,910
• Computer and Information Research Scientists - $131,490
• Computer and Information Systems Managers - $159,010
• Data Scientists - $100,910
• Information Security Analysts - $102,600
• Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers - $98,220
• Software Developers - $120,730

Many AI professionals work in data science, computer science, or data analysis profiles. However, they can also apply for specialized roles like computer vision engineer, algorithm developer, and deep learning engineer.

Online AI Graduate Certificate Program: Overview

AI graduate certificate programs show potential recruiters or employers that you have invested in mastering your skills and are passionate about your career goals. These programs are designed to teach applicants (students and professionals having backgrounds in STEM-related streams) basic and advanced knowledge of AI and ML.

Earning a certificate offers numerous opportunities to employ newly developed AI skills. Professionals with updated knowledge of AI work in engineering companies. They often work as computer system analysts or managers, responsible for directing the computers and ensuring the smooth implementation of processes. Acquiring knowledge of AI also opens the career path of a computer support specialist and programmer.

Basic Admission Criteria

Each university has its own prerequisites to apply for the best AI course. Here are the basic admission criteria for top programs –

1. Purpose statement sharing your career goals and interests.
2. Bachelor’s degree from a specific accredited university.
3. An updated resume featuring your work experience and qualifications.
4. Letter of recommendation from employers or professors.

Note: Gather and submit all application documents by the given timeframe after meeting the specific admission requirements.

AI Graduate Certificate Program Curriculum

The course curriculum may vary based on the specific AI graduate certificate program. However, applicants, in common, will learn the fundamentals and same skills of AI technology. When attending the top AI certifications, you can take several classes including the following –

• AI foundations that introduce the AI field and its basic skills and technologies.
• Deep learning gives the overview of deep learning, a subset of machine learning.
• Robotics class outlines the field of robotics, robot applications, and robot design.
• Machine learning course that highlights the ML methods, AI applications, and theories of learning.
• Computation logic to learn how to use logic to process answers.
• The natural language processing course guides students to the ways machines process natural languages using artificial intelligence.
• The data set mining course provides the study of the implementation of AI to mine huge data sets for information essential for several applications.
• Probabilistic graphical models that teach the creation of probabilistic graphical models to be used in AI design.
• The game theory course teaches how AI can be applied to get solutions to queries posed by game theory.
• The knowledge engineering course introduces the development of knowledge-based systems and the importance of AI in this process.

AI Certifications, Accreditation, and Financial Support

Industry certifications are often awarded by recognized professional organizations. However, you can earn the top certifications by meeting specific competencies or after successfully completing an assessment process.

Here are the most trusted AI certifications in 2024 –

1. Certified AI Engineer (CAIE™) by United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII®)
2. Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS™) by United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII®)
3. IBM Applied AI Professional Certificate by Coursera
4. AI Foundations: Prompt Engineering with Chat GPT- Arizona State University

The best AI course is always accredited by the regional university, which means the course provides a high-quality education. The recognized accrediting agency makes sure that a university delivers quality education that meets predetermined standards of the educational sector. Attending AI classes from an accredited university helps in getting financial support in numerous forms. Moreover, credits can be easily transferred from one institute to another.

Eligible candidates will find different financial aid resources to easily pay for their upfront certification fees. Some of these resources include student loans from the federal government, student aid programs, scholarships, tuition reimbursement opportunities, etc.

AI Certificates and Their Benefits

Some universities offer online non-degree graduate courses known as AI certificates. Earning a certificate through popular AI certification programs helps in developing key skills and basic knowledge of AI and machine learning. These programs emphasize high-level math and algorithms. You can apply for these programs to work in different organizations to apply AI or acquire an advanced degree in artificial intelligence.

The duration of earning a certificate depends on various factors including course type, university, learning mode (full-time or part-time), etc. In general, full-time study allows completing the course within a year, based on the credit hours. Self-paced online programs provide the flexibility to learn at your pace, but there is some specific duration.

Online AI Certification Vs. AI Certificates

Most people often consider online AI certification and online AI certificate as the same thing but there are some differences between them. Certificates are provided by a university or college while certifications are provided by professional organizations or industry. Certificates can be earned after finishing academic coursework and show the knowledge of the content over a specified period. Certifications, on the other hand, are granted after assessing the mastery of particular skills or knowledge.  

Wrapping Up

If you have a background in STEM and want to secure a growing career in the innovative field of AI, then earning an online certificate or certification in AI is worth considering. Check the accreditation and course curriculum to choose the best program that better aligns with your career goals and helps you develop in-demand skills in AI and ML. Since AI has a wide scope in upcoming years, it’s high time to advance your knowledge and professional qualifications.