What is the Best Degree for an Artificial Intelligence Career?

A technological revolution is well underway, and there’s evidence everywhere you look. Companies are launching, new tools are emerging, landscapes are shifting and rulebooks are being rewritten. While it’s impossible to predict the future, a career in artificial intelligence (AI) might let you play a part in shaping it.

Depending on the program that you pursue, your educational background could prepare you to:

• Build new tools
• Consult on AI ethics
• Contribute to AI research
• Develop AI policies
• Oversee AI integration

And that’s just the beginning. As a leader in the admissions department at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), Sean Lucius said upskilling through learning AI enhances career readiness across the entire workforce. In fact, he said he works with AI regularly in his own role.

“Over the last few years, I’ve become deeply involved in integrating AI into professional development and training programs,” Lucius said. “I feel like I currently have a front-row view into how AI is reshaping skills development, career readiness and the learning experience.”

If you plan to pursue a career in AI, there are many routes to choose from, according to Lucius. “That is actually one of the most exciting parts about this technology,” he said.

What is the Best Major for a Career in AI?

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees are often considered the best fit for a career in artificial intelligence, Lucius noted. “The STEM field has lots of wonderful options that have clear and obvious connections to AI,” he said.

Here are 4 majors you might consider:

Computer Science

A Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science is one of the most direct routes you could take if you’re looking for a career in AI, said Dr. Swapnil Chhabra, an assistant professor of computer science at SNHU.

Chhabra said a computer science bachelor’s degree offers the background you’ll need if you’re interested in working with AI from a technical perspective.

“A computer science degree gives you the essential foundations that translate directly into an AI career,” he said. “You learn how to think systematically, break down complex problems, design efficient solutions and work with multiple programming languages — skills that are fundamental in any technical role.”

Through this degree, you can learn to code, work with large datasets and prepare to apply those skills to AI projects in the future.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a quickly growing field, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and AI isn’t predicted to slow it down.* BLS reports that roles for information security analysts are poised to grow 29% by 2034 — drastically faster than the average 3% growth rate for all occupations.*

Information Technologies (IT)

While similar to a computer science degree in some ways, an IT bachelor’s degree is focused on technology from the perspective of business applications. This degree is another solid choice to teach you tech skills, like coding, that you’ll need to get started in a technical role working with AI, Lucius said.

Mathematics

A bachelor’s in mathematics can also be a gateway to a career in AI. A background in math may even be essential if you want to thrive in the AI space, the tech site Built In reports, as linear algebra, calculus and probability are all relevant to work in artificial intelligence.

Pairing a math degree with a minor in IT could prepare you well with the coding skills you'll need, too.

Learn more: What is a Degree in Math and Why is It Important?

What is the Best Degree for Advanced AI Skills?

For an advanced AI education with a technical focus, SNHU offers a Master of Science (MS) in Computer Science with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence.

“AI is reshaping every industry, from healthcare and finance to education, cybersecurity, and entertainment,” Chhabra said. “Pursuing a computer science degree with an AI concentration is absolutely worth it in today’s landscape.”

With this degree and concentration, he said you could pursue roles like:

• AI product developer
• AI research associate
• Applied AI engineer
• Data scientist
• Machine learning engineer

While you could enroll after earning a bachelor’s in computer science, at SNHU, there are also foundational courses available for those without a computer science undergrad who are interested in pursuing a computer science master’s program, too.

Keep reading: AI and Computer Science: How a CS Master’s Prepares You

Can You Get Into AI Without a Technical Background?

Absolutely — diverse educational backgrounds can lead to a career in AI, according to Lucius.

“People want to find a sense (of) career resilience and build skills to help secure their future, which means even the students who aren’t interested in becoming developers still have a strong interest in building fluency with AI,” Lucius said.

He said there’s now a great deal of AI-related work being incorporated into and influenced by fields beyond STEM. “Students in psychology, education, communications, marketing and design are uniquely positioned to shape the ethical and real-world trajectory of AI on the ground,” he said.

If you want to improve your AI literacy and develop a foundation in AI, you could start with a course.

Read more: Are Artificial Intelligence Courses Worth It?

AI Integration, Policy and Ethics

Turning your focus to AI ethics and policy can be a way to take part in developing solutions for real-world issues, like the environmental impact of artificial intelligence. Or, you might choose to pursue AI integration work — overseeing and managing the strategic implementation of AI within an organization.

Taking courses in AI could help to round out your background and prepare you for work in any of these areas. You could also earn a Generative AI Practitioner badge through SNHU’s micro-credential course Generative AI: Concept to Innovation.

Everyone can benefit from developing AI literacy and understanding how to work with AI, according to Megan Bickford, an AI operations specialist on the AI team at SNHU. And you never know where your learning might take you.

“The future of work isn’t just about becoming a technical specialist, it’s about learning how AI can augment your skills, elevate your impact and help you solve problems in new ways,” she said. “Human strengths like communication, creativity, empathy and critical thinking become even more vital when paired with intelligent tools.”

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Mars Girolimon '21 '23G is a staff writer at Southern New Hampshire University where they earned their bachelor's and master's, both in English and creative writing. In addition to their work in higher education, Girolimon's short fiction is published in the North American Review, So It Goes by The Kurt Vonnegut Museum & Library, X-R-A-Y and more. Connect with them on LinkedIn.