Ask HN: What's the difficulty of a mid-career pivot from engineering to AI?

by ldbooth on 11/17/2023, 5:39:44 PM with 1 comments
This may sound naive, but the lack of viable career paths/jobs that aren't lateral or backwards moves in electrical engineering/product after 12 years of work experience seem to be non existent in the present market, so I am reaching for other ideas.

I realize AI is the hot thing right now, however it also appears to have the importance and utility to create a phase shift (a lot like the internet) in how we work and interact in daily life.

Without any prior knowledge (outside of news and some dabbling with ChatGPT), is a mid career pivot to move into AI possible from technical but non-software roles? Would the VC backed firms even consider a resume that doesn't include extensive AI research from a 4 year school? What syllabus or resources would help move a career in that direction?

Thanks in advance.

  • by TheAndruu on 11/17/2023, 6:22:41 PM

    I wouldn't sweat no 4-year AI degree. If a person wanted to advance the theory and innovation within AI, they'd prob want a PhD.

    But sounds like you're talking about becoming a practitioner who leverages AI.

    The great part about new technology developments like what's happened with AI the past few years is that there is a small pool of people who have experience in the tech.

    So if you invested the time to learn and build prototypes on your own, you'd be very attractive to any employer seeking to add the skillsets you practiced.