The 12th board exams are finally over! After months of preparations, late-night revisions, and back to back exams, it’s time to take a deep breath and plan about the future.
While some students may be considering conventional career paths like engineering, medicine, or commerce, there is one field which is currently reshaping the world—Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Technology. AI and tech are not buzzwords; they are currently the backbone of innovation, revolutionizing various industries. If you’re wondering what to pursue next, stepping into the world of AI and tech could be one of the smartest choices you make. Let’s discuss why and how you can get started.
Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning (ML), Data Science or Robotics are not just concepts from sci-fi movies. They are truly transforming the way we live and work. Following are the reasons why students should consider AI and tech as careers:
AI-powered tools and automation have gradually taken over industries, prompted a huge demand for AI specialists, data analysts, cybersecurity experts, and software developers. Tech giants including Google, Tesla, and TCS are investing heavily in AI.
Believe it or not, AI professionals across the globe earn some of the highest salaries in the tech industry. With required experience, AI engineers and data scientists can land six-figure salaries in India as well as abroad.
Still there is a myth that AI is only limited to IT companies. In reality, AI has revolutionized healthcare (AI-powered diagnosis), finance (automated trading), agriculture (smart farming), and even entertainment (AI-generated music and videos) industries.
AI is driving modern innovations like self-driving cars, chatbots like ChatGPT, and even robots assisting in surgeries. Are you passionate about problem-solving and creativity? AI is an exciting field you can explore.
If both AI and tech excite you, here’s how you can proceed:
After your 12th grade, you can opt for degree programs like
B.Tech in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
B.Sc in Data Science & AI
B.Tech in Computer Science with AI specialization
Diploma courses in AI, Data Analytics, or Cybersecurity
Leading institutions like IITs, NITs, IIITs, and private universities like BITS Pilani and SRM offer specialized courses in AI and technology.
Even if you are not studying a formal AI degree, you can still learn AI and coding through online platforms like:
Coursera (Machine Learning by Stanford University)
edX (Harvard’s CS50: Introduction to Computer Science)
Udacity (AI Programming with Python)
Kaggle (Learn data science by working on real projects)
These platforms offer both free and paid courses to help you build required AI skills.
Python is the most famous programming language for AI and ML. If you’re new to coding, begin with:
Python (Learn basics on Codecademy or W3Schools)
C++ or Java (Good for competitive programming and logic building)
SQL (Used in data science and database management)
The best way to learn and practice AI is by using and doing it everyday. Build your own projects like;
A chatbot using Python
A simple AI-powered game
A weather prediction model using Machine Learning
You will come across several websites like GitHub, Kaggle, and Google Colab which help students work on various projects while collaborating with others, and showcase their skills.
Internships and hackathons offer unbeatable hands-on experience. You can use platforms like Internshala and LinkedIn. The AICTE Internship Portal also offer AI-related internships. Participating in different Hackathons like Smart India Hackathon, Google Code Jam, and Hack the North can give you required exposure to real-world problem-solving.
Remember, the world is evolving fast, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation. Explore AI and tech, and be a part of the future. Who knows? World's next big innovation in AI could come from you!
