Artificial intelligence (AI) is a continuously growing and evolving field. Consequently, there is an increasing need for certified and educated professionals. There is a broad range of AI certifications available to help you master artificial intelligence.
Learning machine learning, artificial intelligence, programming tools, and the like are important to be successful in this technical realm. In this article, we look at the best certifications for AI that validate you have the skills, knowledge, and expertise employers look for. Moreover, you will find out what the highest-paying AI certifications are, the exam prep required, and the job outlook for relevant occupations to help you make the best decisions about which career path to pursue.
What Is a Professional Certification?
A professional certification provides evidence of your knowledge and competency in a specific field of work. It is most commonly issued by organizations after you have passed a standardized exam demonstrating your industry knowledge. Some jobs require you to hold a certification in order to be eligible to get a job in AI at a certain level.
What’s the Difference Between Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between a certification vs a certificate is that a certificate is proof of successfully completing an educational program from a college or university, whereas a certification is proof of successfully passing a standardized exam provided by a certification body as an acknowledgment of your skills and knowledge.
In order to obtain a certificate, you will take educational courses and apply your knowledge in practical ways to show your readiness to enter your chosen professional field. Certifications don’t require you to take a range of courses to obtain them. Instead, you typically register to take a certification exam to test your knowledge and provide evidence of your fitness for a job.
It is worth noting that the length of validity for certifications is usually limited, which requires you to retake exams and renew your certification as needed.
Why Is Certification in AI Important?
A certification in AI is important because working in the field of artificial intelligence requires you to have a firm grasp of existing and emerging technologies. Since technologies are constantly evolving, you need to remain up-to-date as far as your knowledge and skills in the industry are concerned.
As previously mentioned, a certification serves as a testament to your knowledge and competency in a specific field. It is evidence that you are prepared to do the job and provides your employers with the assurance that you are fully equipped for the position. Below are some of the best AI certifications for you to consider.
Best AI Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence Engineer | Artificial Intelligence Board of America | $169,930 per year | $550 |
| Professional Machine Learning Engineer | Google Cloud | $145,262 per year | $200 |
| Artificial Intelligence for Business Professionals (AIBIZ) | CertNexus | $145,262 per year | $49 |
| Azure AI Fundamentals | Microsoft Certified | $131,802 per year | $99 |
| Artificial Intelligence Professional Certificate | CertiProf | $125,000 per year | $150 |
| Certified Artificial Intelligence Expert | Global Tech Council | $111,448 per year | $149 |
| Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist | United States Artificial Intelligence Institute (USAII) | $111,448 per year | $793 |
| Machine Learning-Speciality | Amazon Web Services (AWS) | $109,000 per year | $300 |
| Certified Machine Learning Associate | International Association of Business Analytics Certification (IABAC) | $109,000 per year | $138.94 |
| Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals | Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) | $63,000 per year | $120 for members; $144 for non-members |
Best AI Certifications to Further Your Career
How to Choose the Best AI Certification for Your Career
To choose the best AI certification for your career, you have to consider the requirements of the certification you want. These industry requirements often include educational background, work experience, and budget. Your budget determines what options you can afford.
Educational Background
Some certifications are only offered to those who have reached a certain level of education, while others are open to anyone who wishes to take the certification exam. It is important to look for certifications for which you are eligible by carefully looking at all the prerequisites.
Work Experience
Some certifications require a certain amount of work experience to qualify. If you have years of experience in this huge field, you likely meet the industry requirements for most certifications. If this is not the case, some certifications are offered to beginners. Look for ones geared toward people who are starting out in the field.
Budget
The cost of certifications varies. While some are free, others can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Since there is a wide range of prices and certifications available, you can find one that fits within your budget.
Which AI Certifications Pay the Most?
The AI certifications that pay the most are ARTiBA’s Artificial Intelligence Engineer certification, Google Cloud’s Professional Machine Learning Engineer, CertNexus’s AIBIZ, Global Tech Council’s Certified Artificial Intelligence Expert, and USAII’s Certified Artificial Intelligence Expert certification.
Highest-Paying AI Certifications
- Artificial Intelligence Engineer: $169,930 per year
- Professional Machine Learning Engineer: $145,262 per year
- AIBIZ: $145,262 per year
- Certified Artificial Intelligence Expert: $111,448 per year
- Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist: $111,448 per year
Which AI Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The best AI certifications for beginners are the Artificial Intelligence Engineer, AIBIZ, Certified Machine Learning Associate, Azure AI Fundamentals, Artificial Intelligence Professional Certificate, and Certified Machine Learning Associate certifications.
Best College Certificate Programs
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How to Prepare for Your AI Certification Exam
The best way to prepare for your AI certification exam is to research the exam prep advice on the certification provider’s website. This will help you figure out what you can expect during the exam. Some certifications offer artificial intelligence courses. Others provide brief instructor-led training, while others offer practice tests and lists of topics you can expect to be examined on.
Best Courses to Prepare for AI Certification Exams
Some of the best prep courses to prepare for AI certification exams include the Designing and Building AI Products and Services course by MITxPro, Stanford University’s Artificial Intelligence: Principles and Techniques, the AI for Everyone course by DeepLearning.AI, Artificial Intelligence for Trading Nanodegree by Udacity, and the Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python course by HarvardX.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your AI Certification Exams
Other resources that you can use to prepare for your AI certification exams include digital training, practice exams, webinars, exam study guides, and study materials such as books. Below are descriptions of each of these options to narrow your search.
Digital Training
Signing up for a digital training session can help you procure the knowledge needed to be successful in your exams or help you to brush up on what you already know. Some certification providers offer training inclusive of the exam.
Digital Training Overview
- Type of Resource: Online platform
- Cost: Free or paid
- Ideal For: People needing professional guidance to learn the crucial AI concepts needed for the certification exam
Practice Exams
Practice exams are usually based on past exams. These resources help you get a good idea of the exam structure and what you can expect to find in the exam. Completing practice questions will better prepare you for the real deal.
Practice Exams Overview
- Type of Resource: Website
- Cost: Free or paid
- Ideal For: People needing a resource that closely resembles the structure of a real AI certification exam
Webinars
Webinars are online events hosted virtually by organizations or professionals in the field. Anyone who is granted access to join can watch these webinars. Webinars may be either free or paid, depending on the provider.
Webinars Overview
- Type of Resource: Online platform
- Cost: Free or paid
- Ideal For: People looking to gain insight into a specific subject area to increase their knowledge on said topic
Exam Study Guides
A study guide is similar to a practice exam in that they are both study materials that inform you on the content of past exams, so you know what to expect. However, study guides do not take the structure of past exams. Instead, they outline the most important topics to focus on.
Exam Study Guides Overview
- Type of Resource: Online platform
- Cost: Free or paid
- Ideal For: People who need a clearer idea of where to put their focus when studying
Books
Books covering the topics relevant to your exam typically provide more information than the options already mentioned. This is an excellent way to deepen your basic understanding of important concepts of machine learning and AI.
Books Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: Free or paid
- Ideal For: People needing the bigger picture and in-depth knowledge of certain AI concepts
Best Online Courses
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AI Job Outlook and Average Salary
The job outlook for artificial intelligence occupations such as computer and information research scientists according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is 22 percent. The job growth is much faster than the average for all occupations.
As such, the demand for professionals in this field is increasing, with a more attractive average salary. The average salary for AI is $131,490 per year. AI is utilized globally by big and small organizations alike across various industries. For this reason, career paths in AI have very positive job outlooks as job opportunities continue to grow.
Best AI Jobs After Certification
The best AI jobs after certification include information research analyst, information security analyst, database architect, computer programmer, and computer systems analyst. Below are descriptions of each of these high-paying career options.
Best AI Associations
The best AI associations are those that focus on current and future advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and information technology. Each of the associations listed below ensures artificial intelligence maintains its advancement by promoting research and scientific discovery.
Artificial Intelligence Board of America (ARTiBA)
ARTiBA is a professional credential that certifies competent machine intelligence and cognitive science professionals from all around the globe. It ensures excellence in AI practices and strategies.
Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI)
The AAAI is an international non-profit scientific society whose goal is to promote the research and responsible use of artificial intelligence. The association aims to advance a strong understanding of the mechanisms related to intelligent behavior and its embodiment in machines.
National Institute of Standards and Technology-Artificial Intelligence
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) develops research that results in the responsible and trustworthy use of artificial intelligence. The institute uses tools to analyze and understand the capabilities and limitations of AI technologies.
Are AI Certifications Worth It?
Yes, AI certifications are worth it. This is a growing field with plenty of room for human discovery within it. As such, there is significant room for both scientific and individual professional growth in the field.
According to the BLS, there is a projected 31.4 percent growth in occupations related to data science and mathematical science over the next decade, making AI one of the fastest-growing occupations. Additionally, with a median annual salary of $100,480, this entire field is not only one of the fastest-growing but the highest-paying.
Additional Reading About AI
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AI Certifications FAQ
AI is used to make machines perform complex tasks and solve problems, similar to how humans do. Machines learn to do these things through practical experience and adjust the way they operate as they learn. There are several popular programming languages for AI used throughout this process.
The difference between AI, machine learning, neural networks, and deep learning techniques is that each facet is a subdivision of the other. Deep learning is a subfield of neural networks, which is a subdivision of machine learning, which is a subdivision of artificial intelligence.
No, you are unlikely to find a job with just a certification in AI and no prior work hands-on experience, previous coding experience, or formal education. AI is a complex field requiring knowledge and understanding of various mathematical and scientific concepts. However, as soon as you are qualified in this field, you can find several jobs that use AI.
A background in science and mathematics is essential for a career path in AI. However, different occupations and organizations will require different levels of education and work experience. If you are a busy professional, you can always opt to pursue online AI courses and training programs to build your experience level in this field and acquire the qualifications necessary to excel in your learning path.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
