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According to the World Economic Forum's Future of Job Report, over the next five years (2023-2027), a substantial 85 per cent of companies and organisations have signalled a rise in the utilisation and integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). These advancements are poised to be the primary cause for driving the transformation of companies and how professionals work globally. Amidst the unveiling of groundbreaking technologies like ChatGPT and the creation of immensely powerful GPUs, the search for integrating AI across various industries has reached unprecedented heights. This surge in AI's application has not only increased innovation but has also enabled substantial growth in job opportunities within the field.
The growing usage and innovation in the world of AI is a clear indicator that a multitude of talented individuals from Bangladesh are thinking about venturing into this career path. In Bangladesh, companies like Intelligent Machines Limited, led by visionary founder Mohammad Oli Ahad, are at the forefront of revolutionising industries through the strategic implementation of AI technologies. With achievements in sectors ranging from fintech and FMCG to telecommunications and banking, Intelligent Machines Limited has set a notable precedent for AI adoption in Bangladesh.
As part of our exploration into the growth of AI, this writer interviewed Md Rashedul Islam, the head of AI at Intelligent Machines Limited. Rashedul's insights shed light on the pathways to breaking into the career of AI.
Educational background requirements: Md Rashedul Islam graduated from BUET's CSE department and has over seven years of experience. He discovered his passion for AI and has been dedicated to it since joining Intelligent Machines Limited in 2019. Alongside his work, he prioritises leading a religious life with his family and is actively involved in charitable efforts through Sunnah Aid, an Islamic non-profit charity organisation.
"Education is the most important predecessor to get into any career, especially in a highly technical field like AI and Machine Learning (ML). Even before that, one needs passion for such a highly coveted field," states Rashed. "Passion is the key. Background in Computer Science (CS) makes it much easier due to foundational knowledge. However, people from non-CS backgrounds can also make it here, if they acquire the necessary knowledge."
For individuals with a CS background, obtaining essential machine learning and AI knowledge through various books and courses is crucial. "I've witnessed significant learning outcomes from Andrew Ng's courses on Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Natural Language Processing (NLP). These three courses lay a solid foundation for learners," notes Rashed. "Additionally, there are other beneficial courses available on Coursera, a reputable online learning platform." Completing these courses might require approximately six months for those with a strong foundational knowledge in CS.
For individuals lacking a CS background, it is essential to first acquire basic knowledge in the field. Specifically, they should focus on mastering data structure and algorithms. "I highly recommend a useful platform, especially for Bangla speakers, which is https://www.shafaetsplanet.com/," suggests Rashed. Additionally, aspiring AI professionals need to delve into statistics, calculus, and linear algebra from mathematics to develop a solid understanding of machine learning and AI-related roles. "A good platform to learn these concepts from is https://www.3blue1brown.com," Rashed notes. "This platform offers valuable resources, although certain terms may appear challenging initially, they will become more manageable over time as you continue to engage with the material."
He adds, "Proficiency in at least one programming language, such as Python, is essential for practitioners in this field. Typically, individuals may expect to dedicate eight to 10 months to complete foundational learning in these mentioned areas, excluding the AI specialisations related courses mentioned. However, the duration may vary depending on the individual learner's pace and dedication."
Skill evaluation and certification: After obtaining the necessary education, the subsequent step involves assessing one's readiness for the industry. One effective method is to undergo assessments and obtain certifications, which can enhance the professional's credibility. Rashed suggests utilising workera.ai, co-founded by Kian Katanforoosh, a lecturer at Stanford University. "This platform offers various assessments across different tracks of artificial intelligence, including computer vision and TensorFlow skills," Rashed explains. "It offers both free and paid versions and provides guidance on skill gaps." Additionally, Google offers platform-specific certifications, all of which contribute to establishing credibility for an AI engineer. In fact, Coursera certifications will also add to its credibility.
Project development and portfolio building: Practical experience is vital in AI, and Rashedul suggests platforms like Kaggle.com for honing skills through competitive projects. Kaggle hosts competitive AI competitions, providing opportunities for individuals to engage in real-world problem-solving. By participating in well-known competitions and working with the provided datasets, individuals can evaluate their skills and showcase their problem-solving abilities. Furthermore, Kaggle offers forums and communities where participants can seek assistance and collaborate with others. Successfully completing projects on Kaggle not only aids in portfolio building but also enhances credibility within the AI community. Additionally, participants have the chance to win cash prizes, further incentivising engagement.
"Another useful tool for project development is Google Colab, which offers free Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) access and Python Jupyter Notebooks. This addresses the common issue of GPU requirements for AI projects. With a fixed allocation of free hours, users can leverage pre-installed libraries and an open code editor to seamlessly develop and execute their projects. For those with specific requirements or limitations, CPU machines can also be selected as alternatives. Overall, these tools empower individuals to effectively develop and showcase their AI projects, contributing to the enrichment of their portfolios and skillsets," shares Rashed.
The future of AI job prospects: As the demand for AI continues to surge globally, Bangladesh's market is also witnessing a gradual adoption. Traditional software companies are expanding their horizons by establishing AI departments, showing a promising shift towards the integration of advanced technologies. Intelligent Machines Limited (IM) stands as a pioneer in this regard, being the first AI company from Bangladesh. "While job opportunities in the AI sector are on the rise, they still lag behind other fields within the software industry. Locally, industries are just recognising the benefits of AI. The global scenario is a bit different as AI- related jobs are growing faster than other tech areas," says Rashed
Globally AI engineers are offered lucrative salaries. In fact, even remote AI roles offer lucrative compensation, ranging from US$ 1,000 to US$ 5,000 per month globally, underscoring the attractiveness of pursuing AI careers in both local and international contexts. Rashed says, "Applications of AI will unlock huge revenue potential in manufacturing industries of Bangladesh. We are already seeing incredible impact in the fintech, FMCG and banking sector of Bangladesh. As a result, AI related jobs will also increase in Bangladesh."
Pros and cons of AI career: According to Md Rashedul Islam, there are several positive aspects to consider in the AI profession. Firstly, individuals who are genuinely passionate about the field will find it not only interesting but also deeply fulfilling. The potential for making a significant impact and experiencing high levels of job satisfaction is the main factor. Moreover, with AI experiencing a booming trend expected to persist into the future, the industry presents vast opportunities for growth. Additionally, as the field is tough to break into, AI professionals will continue to enjoy higher salary prospects compared to their counterparts in other technological professions, making it an attractive career path for many.
Despite its allure, the AI profession also presents certain challenges. Rashedul highlights the inherent stress associated with the field, often stemming from factors such as the scarcity of quality data. Moreover, the dynamic nature of the AI industry sets it apart from traditional software domains. While learning one or two frameworks might suffice in other areas, AI demands continuous learning and adaptation to evolving models, research and techniques. Rashed shares, "Continuous learning is essential in AI. Adaptability is the key to staying relevant." This can prove daunting for individuals who struggle to keep pace with rapid advancements.
Additionally, the unpredictability of AI algorithms can lead to frustration, especially when multiple training iterations are required. Matching data with the appropriate architecture poses another hurdle, demanding a great deal of patience. These endeavours often involve complex processes such as capturing data from local sources, dealing with noise, refining architectural design, and iteratively retraining models. This iterative nature shows the importance of patience and perseverance in navigating the nuances of AI development.
Despite some cons and many pros, it is evident that AI is here to stay. The emergence of generative technologies like ChatGPT and the anticipated progress in generative video, as envisioned by Sora, highlight the future influence that AI will continue to have across diverse sectors. In terms of Predictive AI that includes- computer vision speech recognition etc, another broad dimension of AI, the possibilities are also boundless.
Research published by Deloitte suggests that by the year 2030, smart, data-driven machines could potentially replace up to 90 per cent of existing jobs. This shows room for innovation by any entrepreneur as well as room for upskilling for Bangladeshi professionals to match the new jobs that will be created via the adoption of AI.