How to become an AI engineer

Not long ago, everyone wanted to be a data scientist. Now they want to be an AI engineer. It’s a fast-growing, exciting, and lucrative role. At its simplest level, an AI engineer builds software where models are a core part of the system. Usually LLMs. To do this well requires a daunting list of skills: software engineering, machine learning, data engineering, and more. But you don’t need to master them all to get started. The best way to learn is the same as it’s always been: build things. It’s the fastest way to discover what works and what doesn’t. And it gives you the confidence to talk about things you’ve actually done instead of things you only want to do. I can’t tell you what to build, but your projects must map to specific outcomes. Just as "Learn French" is a terrible goal, “Learn AI” is too. It needs to be specific, more like "learn to order dinner in French." And to do this, I want you to lean into AI assistance. You must become at one with the machine. Just as kids in the…