Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its advanced branch Machine Learning (ML) is a field ripe with opportunities. Today automation has become vital for organizations worldwide and as we usher into a smart future, AI and ML has become indispensable. This is why the field is receiving more and more investments and there is surging demand for skilled AI and ML experts. Even in India the demand has grown several folds due to an increased emphasis on digital transformation and an ever-growing lack of talents.

Thus, many talented and hardworking individuals want to take advantage of the situation by getting trained in AI or ML. However, it is extremely important for anyone wishing to make up a career in AI needs to keep a few things in mind:

• Make sure you will gain enough practical experience!
  Time and again recruiters in India have complained that the institutions are only imparting students with theoretical knowledge and not with enough practical knowledge in specific fields. Bookish knowledge has its limitations in the field of technology and if the focus is not on real-life ML problems then it can be very difficult for anyone. Thus, make sure that the institutions you are opting for imparts you with enough practical knowledge and lets you undertake your own case study.
• You must gain proficiency in the most in-demand tools
  AI and ML experts are expected to be proficient in the sophisticated tools and techniques. However, the field being enormous, there are many tools which are used worldwide. Interestingly there are some tools which are not only very popular but in constant demand and recruiters specifically look for individuals with proficiency in such tools.

Some popular AI and ML tools include:

• Scikit Learn
• PyTorch
• Tensorflow
• Keras

Hence, you must make sure that you gain mastery over such tools.

• Location matters
  The location of the institution matters a lot. If there is no booming digital or analytics industry in the location of an institution then you may face a lot of problems. If a flourishing digital industry is nearby then it is more than likely that you will get a decent exposure, you will learn first-hand from experts and your business acumen will increase. Besides being technologically sound you will also be needed to possess the soft skills like a good business acumen and an ability to innovate. And if the location of your institution is good then you will automatically pickup such soft skills.

Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai and Delhi are some good locations in this regard.

An applied AI or Machine Learning course can be very beneficial dependent on the course and institution you choose. Select wisely and soon you will usher into a world of opportunities!