Important points
Artificial intelligence (AI) creates a variety of career paths, including the role of an AI developer who helps create AI-powered systems
-
According to the data, the AI market is expected to grow from $390.1 billion in 2025 to more than $3,497 billion in 2033, and AI developers are expected to face above-average job growth and a median total salary of $148,000. [1, 2, 3].
-
AI developers typically work as part of information technology (IT) teams, coding programs, working with models and algorithms, helping other employees understand how to use the solutions they create, and participating in strategy and design sessions.
-
You can enter this field with a combination of education and experience, and earn certifications to help prove your skills.
Learn more about the AI developer role, including the day-to-day duties, how it differs from similar roles, and the average salary you can expect. Then IIf you’re ready to start preparing for your next role, consider enrolling in the Gemini for Developers specialization. In just one month, you can build essential skills for AI software development, including token management, AI agent architecture and deployment, and strategic model selection. Upon completion, you will receive a career qualification that you can use to improve your resume and enhance your professional profile.
What is an AI developer?
AI developers are software engineers who deploy and develop AI systems and applications using programming languages such as Python and R.
AI is a vast field that includes a variety of technologies, such as natural language processing (NLP), machine learning, and deep learning, that enable machines to “learn,” act, and interact with others in human-like ways. The experts tasked with creating these intelligent systems are known as artificial intelligence developers, and despite their focus on machine intelligence, they are clearly human themselves.
If you like working with programming languages and the challenge of creating systems that can mimic human intelligence, you might consider a career as an AI developer.
In this role, you will build machine learning models, create programming interfaces, and make them accessible to existing software, as well as write, test, and deploy code for advanced AI applications. As a result, you often end up using machine learning algorithms and neural networking to build models that are narrowly focused on completing a single task, or general-purpose foundational models that are capable of more advanced tasks.
What kind of work does an AI developer do?
Before deciding whether this is the right career path for you, it helps to have a general idea of the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities of the job. What you do as an AI developer will vary depending on your employer’s focus area, but you can expect common duties such as:
-
Working in an IT team: Collaboration with other parts of the team is an important part of the job. You’ll likely participate in strategy and design meetings, collaborate on planning, and conduct post-project reviews.
-
code: Spend time coding AI programs and working with AI models and algorithms. AI developers build, test, and deploy algorithms to develop AI-based systems. Ultimately, we aim to create AI solutions that solve specific business or consumer needs.
-
Help others understand and use AI. You’ll likely educate other team members, application users, and company leaders about AI software, applications, and programs, and help others use the solutions you create. You can also train other employees on implementing AI systems.
Keep learning how this job differs from similar positions. Below, we explain the differences between AI developers, AI engineers, and software developers.
AI developer vs AI engineer vs software developer
AI developers require strong programming skills to create algorithms and AI applications. They frequently collaborate with others, including data scientists, to build solutions to specific business concerns.
AI engineers, on the other hand, focus on engineering and deployment and require a solid foundation of system infrastructure and architecture. AI engineers must also be familiar with model scaling to support model deployment and optimization efforts and ensure that models provide optimal performance.
Although there is some overlap, the difference between AI and software developers can be summed up in one word: focus. Software developers may work with AI technology, but they work on a broader range of applications and systems. AI developers work specifically on AI solutions such as models, algorithms, and applications.
What are the essential skills for an AI developer?
To become an AI developer, you need to develop a strong skill set. Requirements will vary by employer, but the main skills to focus on include a combination of workplace and technical skills, such as:
skills at work
Workplace skills such as leadership and critical thinking complement technical skills and help you succeed. These skills are called transferable skills and can be used across different jobs, employers and sectors. Examples of workplace skills that can help you with a career in AI development include:
technical skills
AI developers need to be familiar with a variety of programming languages. Python’s powerful data analysis capabilities, ease of learning, and strong community support make it a great starting point. Familiar with other AI languages Julia, Java, R, JavaScript, etc. will help you advance your career.
Additional technical skills include:
-
Proficiency in working with deep learning, neural networks, and machine learning.
-
Knowledge of data structures and algorithms
-
Ability to collect, organize, and interpret data to make decisions.
-
Knowledge of cloud platforms such as Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
-
Solid understanding of mathematics and practical knowledge of data cleaning
AI Developer Salary and Job Outlook
Growth in the AI market is strong and continues to increase. The market is expected to reach more than $3,497 billion by 2033, according to data from Grand View Research [1]. This growth suggests that employment prospects in this field are promising, which is good news for those considering a career as an AI developer.
Although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide data specific to AI developers, it projects that employment growth in all computer and information technology careers will grow at an above-average pace over the decade ending in 2033. The BLS projects that similar occupations, including: [2].
In addition to reliable job growth, AI developers enjoy higher income potential. According to Glassdoor, the median total salary (base salary plus bonuses and other additional compensation) for AI developers in the United States is $148,000. [3]. Factors such as your experience level and the industry you work in can impact your specific salary.
Typical career path for an AI developer
Becoming an AI developer is an exciting entry into the technology field. There are multiple paths available, but common roadmaps include earning a bachelor’s degree, gaining experience, and considering related certifications.
Let’s take a closer look at the three main steps along this career path.
1. Consider getting a degree.
Although it is possible to become an AI developer without a degree, employers often look for candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree. More than 63% have a bachelor’s degree, another 17% have a master’s degree, and 10% have a high school diploma, according to data from online recruiting firm Zippia. [4]. Popular majors include computer science, statistics, AI, or other related fields.
You are currently on slide 1
2. Gain experience in AI and related fields.
Leveraging AI to build skills is critical to learning more about this field. Professional experience is invaluable for broadening your skill set. It can also help you build your professional network and add details to your resume and portfolio along your career path.
If you want to step up from an entry-level AI job, it’s important to continually build your coding skills and stay up to date with industry trends and news.
read more: 5 benefits of AI you should know (+ 3 risks to be aware of)
AI developer vs data scientist
Data scientists and architects have roles both within and outside of AI. Data scientists can help develop algorithms, but their bigger job is collecting data, identifying patterns, and gleaning insights from it. Data analysts primarily focus on deriving insights from data and presenting those insights to the people who need them to understand problems and make decisions.
3. Consider certification.
Earning a certification provides employers with tangible evidence of your skills and status as an AI subject matter expert. Things to consider include:
-
Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist (CAIS): Published by the National Institute for Artificial Intelligence, this certification is a self-paced program that helps you learn more about AI strategies, workflows, and implementation.
-
Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate: This technology-specific certification demonstrates proficiency in working with Azure AI, developing AI solutions, and building AI applications.
Whether you’re starting your career path or learning more about new technology, consider subscribing to Career Chat, our weekly LinkedIn newsletter, to stay up to date on all the latest news. Next, consider checking out these AI and career resources:
Whether you’re preparing for a career as an AI developer, want to develop new skills, or want to become familiar with in-demand technologies and improve your capabilities, consider subscribing to Coursera Plus. Accelerate your career growth and support your ongoing learning goals with access to over 10,000 flexible courses from over 350 esteemed partners.
