Will there be no AI engineers in the future? Explaining the industries where demand will increase and the skills needed.

2024.07.16

  • Industry Information
将来AIエンジニアはなくなる?需要が高まる産業や必要なスキルも解説

AI has been incorporated into many systems and products and is a technology that is expected to continue to develop. As a result, many people believe that AI-related occupations have a promising future. However, there is also concern that some jobs may disappear with the spread of AI. So what about the profession of AI engineer?

In this article, we will discuss in detail what AI engineers do, why these jobs are said to be disappearing in the future, and their future prospects. We will also discuss the industries where demand for AI engineers is increasing and the skills they need.

What is an AI Engineer?


AIエンジニアとは?

AI engineers are professionals who use AI technology to develop systems and software and analyze data; AI uses machine learning and deep learning techniques to learn large amounts of data and can process information like the human brain. This technology is used in a wide variety of systems and products, including diagnostic imaging of diseases, self-driving car systems, and biometric authentication using faces and fingerprints.

To develop these systems and products, AI engineers train AI, verify and analyze data, and build highly accurate AI To become an AI engineer, one needs not only programming skills, but also extensive knowledge and skills in mathematics, statistics, database management, and data analysis The AI Engineer will be responsible for the development and implementation of a new AI system.

Main Duties of an AI Engineer

The main tasks that an AI engineer handles are as follows
 

  • AI planning
  • AI development
  • Preparation of training data and training of AI
  • Testing and evaluation of AI
  • Investigation of the latest AI technologies

After establishing the concept and objectives of the AI system, we develop the AI based on the plan. First, we collect data for the AI to learn and perform data cleansing. Then, we train the AI using machine learning or deep learning, which is a common process.

Once training is complete, we test and evaluate whether the AI performs as planned. If the AI does not perform as expected, the entire AI is reviewed and retrained to improve its accuracy.

Furthermore, since AI is a rapidly developing field, it is important to collect information and research the latest technologies. We refer to papers from around the world and incorporate new knowledge and technologies into our work.

Why are AI engineers being told they will "disappear"?


AIエンジニアが「なくなる」と言われている理由は?

When researching AI engineers on the Internet, you will find opinions such as "it's going away," "owanko," and "we don't need it. Let's take a look at the reasons why they are said to be disappearing.

Automation is progressing due to the development of AI.

With the evolution of AI, various tasks are being automated. Therefore, people are concerned that the work of AI engineers will also be performed by AI.

For example, simple tasks such as programming and parameter adjustment can be automated. In the future, if self-learning programs and automatic code generation tools are further developed, programmers may become unnecessary.

However, data analysis, algorithm design, and other tasks that require creativity are areas in which AI is not good at. These will need to be done by humans, so AI engineers will not lose their jobs completely.

Because offshore development is progressing.

One of the reasons why AI engineers' jobs are said to be decreasing is that offshore development, in which development work is outsourced to overseas development companies, is on the rise.

Therefore, it is not uncommon for companies to use offshore development when they cannot secure AI engineers in-house. Another reason offshore development is becoming more widespread is that it can reduce the cost of system development.

If all development work can be completed by offshore development, there is no need to hire AI engineers in-house, and it is said that AI engineer jobs may disappear.

Because no-code development techniques are also developing.

In recent years, "no-code" or "low-code" platforms that allow programming with little or no code have become popular. Thanks to the evolution of these technologies, applications can now be easily developed by people with little knowledge of code.

If no-code development technologies advance further, it may become possible to develop AI without being an AI engineer. As a result, the demand for AI engineers could conceivably decrease. However, complex development requires advanced coding knowledge. In such cases, engineers and programmers with specialized knowledge and skills will be essential.

Thus, no matter how well no-code development techniques develop, AI engineers will not necessarily become unnecessary.

What is the future or current status of the "wacky" AI engineer?


「オワコン」と言われているAIエンジニアの将来性や現状は?

AI engineers have even been called "wacky" on the Internet, but is this really true? Here, we will explain the current status and future prospects of AI engineers.

The market size of the AI field is expanding.

According to the "2023 Status Report on Information and Communications" by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the global AI market is expected to reach 18.7148 trillion yen in 2022 and grow moderately until 2030. In addition, expenditures in the Japanese AI system market are expected to be 383.367 billion yen in 2022 and reach 1,103.477 billion yen in 2027.

From this data, you can see that the market size of the AI field continues to expand. As a result, the demand for AI engineers and other professionals is expected to increase. Although there is a fear that jobs will disappear, this is not actually the case; those who aspire to become AI engineers can rest assured that they will be able to acquire knowledge and skills and change their jobs.

Reference: "2023 Status Report on Information and Communications (Part 2: Current Situation and Issues in the Information and Communications Sector)," Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

There is a shortage of AI personnel in relation to the demand from IT companies.

As the AI market expands, IT firms are struggling to secure AI engineers, as the IT industry as a whole continues to face a labor shortage, and the AI field is no exception, as the battle for talented personnel intensifies.

According to data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the shortage of AI personnel is projected to reach 44,000 by 2020, 88,000 by 2025, and 124,000 by 2030. While these projections are only estimates, it is very likely that there will be a shortage of AI engineers, as staffing is a common issue within the industry.

However, this is also a great opportunity for career advancement and job change. If you acquire expertise and skills now, your chances of becoming an AI engineer will increase.

Reference: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "Survey on IT Human Resources Demand ((3) Supply and Demand for AI Human Resources)

There is a possibility of being active overseas as well.

The AI field is rapidly developing around the world, and there are more and more options for working as an AI engineer overseas. AI technology is spreading in Japan as well, but it still lags behind the rest of the world.

World-class companies are aggressive in investing in advanced technologies. In contrast, Japanese companies tend to be cautious about investing in new technologies, leading to delays in AI development and implementation.
Overseas, where AI research and development is thriving, there is an environment conducive to participating in challenging projects.

There are many opportunities to come into contact with advanced technology and knowledge, and there are abundant opportunities to grow as an AI engineer. In addition, AI engineers are in high demand overseas and can expect high salaries.

A career as an AI engineer is very attractive for those who wish to work overseas in the future. Therefore, those who are considering a career change to AI engineering are advised to acquire not only technical skills but also business English conversation and other skills for working overseas now.

At United World, we help connect AI engineers with companies in a variety of industries. To advance your career, visit United World today to find your next AI engineering job.

Talk to United World about 
career change.

Industries where demand for AI engineers is expected to increase


AIエンジニアの需要が高まることが予想される産業

AI is a technology in demand in a wide variety of industries. Among them, here are some of the industries where demand for AI engineers will increase in the future, so that you can use them as a reference when changing jobs.

Medical and nursing care

In the medical and nursing care fields, manpower shortages are a serious problem. To solve this problem, the use of AI (artificial intelligence) and robots is being promoted.

For example, AI robots equipped with cameras and sensors are being introduced in nursing homes. These robots not only monitor the location of residents, but also their physical condition, such as body temperature and heart rate, 24 hours a day. This makes it possible to constantly check for any abnormalities in the resident's health.

Meanwhile, AI-based image processing technology is being used in the medical field. This will process x-ray images in a more readable manner, making it easier to detect lesions that are often missed by the naked eye. As a result, the risk of misdiagnosis will be reduced and early detection and treatment will become possible.

As Japan's birthrate declines and the population ages, demand for medical and nursing care services continues to increase. For this reason, the demand for AI is also expected to increase.

Agriculture and Fishery

AI technology is also being used in the fields of agriculture and fisheries to reduce the burden on workers and improve productivity. For example, robots equipped with AI image recognition technology can be used to automate the heavy labor of harvesting while accurately determining when to harvest crops.

In greenhouse cultivation, AI can also be used to automate temperature control and watering, and to forecast crop production and demand. In the fishing industry, data analysis of aquaculture farm conditions can be used to find optimal rearing processes.

Agriculture and fisheries are industries that are essential to our daily lives, but increasingly more are going out of business due to harsh working conditions; AI has become a key technology supporting these industries, and AI engineers are in ever-increasing demand.

Manufacturing Industries

AI is also being used in the manufacturing industry for a variety of applications. For example, inventory control, sorting, and packaging, which used to be done manually, are tasks that are now automated by industrial robots.

AI's image analysis technology is also useful in the inspection and testing process. This enables the detection of defects and defective products that would otherwise be missed by the human eye, thereby improving the accuracy of inspections. Furthermore, AI systems help maintain safe production lines by predicting the risk of machine breakdowns and their timing.

In this way, AI is being introduced in the manufacturing industry, where there is a need to improve operational efficiency and productivity, making it an area where AI engineers can play an active role.

Logistics and Infrastructure

The logistics and infrastructure sectors are also facing a manpower shortage, and the use of AI is attracting attention. For example, AI can partially automate warehouse management tasks that were previously performed manually, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of inspections.

Also being developed is a monitoring system that uses AI-equipped in-vehicle cameras to ensure safe driving by truck drivers. This system can detect signs that a driver is about to fall asleep at the wheel and issue a warning to prevent falling asleep at the wheel.

In addition, research into automated driving using AI technology and systems to detect and predict traffic obstacles is also underway.

The market size of logistics and infrastructure is expanding along with the development of the e-commerce sector. The increasing introduction of AI systems that improve operational efficiency and solve problems is expected to be a field in which AI engineers can play an active role.

Financial Industry

In the financial industry, the use of AI technology is attracting attention in terms of security, risk management, and operational efficiency. For example, by having AI learn about cases of fraudulent activities such as special fraud and money laundering, it can better detect and prevent fraud and misconduct.

This will help curb the damage caused by fraud and increase people's trust in the financial system by making it safer.

AI robots are also being introduced to improve the efficiency of clerical work at financial institutions. For example, removing staples from documents that have not been digitized and scanning them require human hands. AI robots can be used here to automate these tasks, allowing staff to focus on other important tasks.

Thus, AI is being widely adopted in the financial industry to improve safety and operational efficiency, making it one of the industries where AI engineers are in demand.

Skills needed to become an AI engineer that will not be eliminated in the future.


将来的に淘汰されないAIエンジニアになるために必要なスキル

Engineers are said to be in short supply overall and are in high demand. However, when there is an imbalance between supply and demand, it is difficult to survive without superior skills.

To avoid being eliminated in the future, why not learn the skills needed to become an AI engineer in demand? Here are some of the skills you need to become an AI engineer.

Acquire knowledge of the latest AI technologies and deep areas of expertise.

To work as an AI engineer, a deep understanding of AI technology is essential; AI research is advancing every day, and you will need to continuously learn not only the basics, but also the latest technologies.

Knowledge of the specific fields in which AI technology is applied is also important. AI is being used in many industries, including healthcare, nursing care, and manufacturing. Developing the right system for each industry requires expertise in that field.

Clarify in which field you would like to work as an AI engineer, and actively learn about that field.

Acquire management skills for upstream processes

AI engineers are sometimes responsible for the upstream process of system development, from the initial stages to planning. in order to manage this process well, which is essential for the successful development of AI systems, management skills with an eye on the upstream process are necessary.

Specifically, these include project management skills to plan and manage projects for success, and smooth communication skills with clients and teams. An AI engineer with the ability to organize a team and facilitate a project will be an extremely valuable asset.

Also develop skills in using generative AI.

Generative AI is a technology that generates natural-looking text and images that appear to be created by humans based on learning. As more advanced generative AI services are expected to emerge in the future, it will become increasingly important for AI engineers to have the skills to master these technologies.

In order to effectively utilize generative AI, one must have a proper understanding of how it works. It is also essential to keep up with the latest information in this field, as it changes quickly.

In summary: Learn the skills to become a promising AI engineer!


In summary: Learn the skills to become a promising AI engineer!

AI is attracting attention as a technology that will make our lives and work more convenient, and there are high expectations for its future. As a result, AI engineers involved in the development of AI systems are in ever-increasing demand, and there is no need to worry about losing your job. If you want to be involved in the development of even more advanced technologies, acquire the necessary skills to become an AI engineer.

If you are considering a career change as an AI engineer, we recommend UNITED WORLD. UNITED WORLD handles AI engineer jobs globally for a wide range of companies, including start-ups, small and medium-sized companies, major corporations, and foreign-affiliated companies.

We can introduce you to jobs tailored to your individual needs and provide career change support by dedicated career advisors. Please feel free to contact us for a consultation, as we are ready to help you even if it is your first time changing jobs.

Talk to United World about 
career change.

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