Unlocking Career Opportunities with AI: Why Now is the Best Time to Upskill

Key Takeaways

• AI skills are increasingly vital in the modern workforce, opening up new career opportunities across various sectors in Ireland.

• Now is the ideal time to upskill in AI, as businesses are actively seeking professionals with expertise in this field.

• UCD Professional Academy offers a robust Professional Academy Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business, designed to equip you with practical, industry-relevant AI skills.

• Upskilling in AI can significantly enhance your career prospects, providing a competitive edge in Ireland’s evolving job market.

According to the WEF, the jobs with the highest net worth in 2023-27 will be AI and machine learning specialists. If you're already in tech or a related field, now is the perfect time to upskill and capitalise on this demand.

AI-related jobs are especially in demand in Ireland. Since 2016, these roles have grown 3.5 times faster than other jobs, according to the 2024 Global AI Jobs Barometer report by PwC. That means people with AI skills are seeing a 25% pay bump.

If you want to dominate the AI job market, UCD Professional Academy can be your perfect gateway. We offer quality courses designed to address the current needs of the Irish market. 

Keep reading to learn about the how, what, and why behind AI upskilling in 2024.

Why AI Skills are Crucial in Today’s Job Market

AI is no longer just a buzzword – it's one of the most in-demand skills in all industries. In fact, two-thirds of organisations plan to ramp up their AI usage this year. Here’s how AI is changing the game in every sector.

• Finance: In finance, AI is used for fraud detection, risk assessment, and even algorithmic trading. Not only that, but Gen AI is expected to boost productivity in the banking sector by 5% while reducing global expenditures by $300 billion, according to McKinsey’s 2023 banking report.

• Healthcare: AI aids drug discovery, personalised medicine, and medical image analysis. For instance, AI-powered algorithms can now diagnose diseases like cancer with 92% accuracy.

• Retail: In the retail landscape, AI can help with personalised recommendations, inventory management, and customer service. 

• Manufacturing: AI can boost efficiency and productivity in the manufacturing sector by offering predictive maintenance, quality control, and automation.

Why Companies Are Prioritising AI in 2024

The shift to AI is prominent in every field, but the question is why? Before you can learn how to fill that skills gap, let’s talk about why companies are suddenly investing in AI specialists in 2024. 

• Cost Savings: AI can automate tasks, reduce operational costs, and improve resource allocation. A study by McKinsey found that AI could save companies between 13% and 25% in operational costs.

• Efficiency: AI can improve productivity by streamlining processes and reducing errors. For instance, AI-powered chatbots can handle basic customer inquiries more efficiently than human agents, freeing up human reps for more complex cases.

• Data-Driven Decisions: AI can analyse vast amounts of data to offer valuable insights and inform major decisions. This includes predicting customer behaviour, optimising supply chains, and identifying new market opportunities.

• Labour Shortages: AI can help address labour shortages by automating tasks and reducing the need for human workers. 

With AI becoming a must-have in almost every industry, it's no surprise that AI skills are in high demand. These skills can open doors to exciting new career paths, from data scientist to AI engineer. If you’re already in a similar field, upskilling can take your current career to a whole new level.

The Growing Demand for AI Professionals in Ireland

Ireland's tech scene is seeing a revolution, and AI is at the forefront of it. According to the latest Talent Tracker report, the demand for AI professionals has skyrocketed, with a 142% increase in the past six months alone. An additional 8,000 AI-related IT jobs are expected to be created this year.

Dublin, Ireland's tech capital, is where most of the country’s AI talent is concentrated – 63%, to be exact. However, the demand for AI expertise in cities other than Dublin stays consistent without the supply to fill the gap. That’s especially true in sectors like technology, banking, and pharmaceuticals.

Plus, Irish companies want to stay ahead of the curve by implementing AI in daily business operations, and they’re willing to pay what it takes. A recent report found that 63% of companies plan to invest in AI in 2024. This growing interest is driving up demand for skilled AI professionals even further.

The financial rewards can be huge for those considering filling the labour shortage of AI specialists. Graduates with a Master's degree in AI can expect starting salaries around €46,000, while experienced professionals can earn up to €91,000. That’s what GoIreland’s 2024 report says! 

Meanwhile, the average salary for AI graduates in Ireland is €65,201 – significantly higher than the national average wage. This financial incentive can be a strong motivator for professionals to upskill in AI.

How Upskilling in AI Can Transform Your Career

If you want to explore the endless career opportunities mentioned above, upskilling in AI can be exactly what you need. Here's how it can transform your career:

• Increased Employability: AI is a rapidly growing field, and companies are actively seeking professionals with AI expertise. Acquiring AI skills will drastically improve your chances of getting a job. 

• Higher Earning Potential: AI professionals can demand higher salaries than non-AI counterparts. In fact, they earn 3.3 times more than Ireland’s national average, according to the same GoIreland report we mentioned earlier.

• Access to Diverse Job Roles: AI is opening new and exciting job opportunities. Whether you want to become a data scientist or get a job in manufacturing, your AI skills can come in handy in any field. 

• Complementary Expertise: AI can complement your existing expertise in fields like marketing, operations, or IT. For instance, a marketer with AI skills can use data-driven insights to create more effective campaigns. This way, you improve your chances of scoring a higher-level role in your field. 

Why Now is the Best Time to Upskill in AI

The AI industry in Ireland is clearly on the rise, with many educational institutions offering courses and programs to meet the booming demand for AI talent. 

However, as someone who may have never dabbled in the field before, you may wonder: why is now the perfect time to upskill in AI? Why are companies suddenly in a rush to get the best AI professionals on their teams?

Firstly, AI technology is advancing at a breakneck pace. New breakthroughs are happening every day. Businesses need the right AI professionals to stay updated with the latest developments.

In fact, a recent survey by ManpowerGroup shows that 51% of Irish employers believe AI will create more jobs than it replaces in the next two years. Meanwhile, only 20% expect a decrease in headcounts. 

It’s also worth noting that AI is being integrated into every business process, from marketing and customer service to IT and manufacturing. Companies are recognising how much faster, affordable, and efficient AI can be if used correctly. That’s why they’re investing heavily in professionals who know how to work with these algorithms. 

Irish companies, in particular, are recognising the strategic importance of AI. In the same ManpowerGroup survey, 67% anticipate that AI will improve their overall business performance. By upskilling in AI now, you'll be well-positioned to capitalise on these opportunities. 

Overview of UCD’s Professional Academy Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business

If you’re interested in upskilling, the Professional Academy Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business is a great place to start. It can equip you with all the skills and expertise you need to thrive in this in-demand field.

What will you learn? This practical, industry-focused course covers the core concepts of artificial intelligence, including:

• Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals: The basic concepts and techniques of AI, its history, misconceptions, etc. 

• Process Automation Technology: The opportunities, challenges, and implications of AI-powered process automation systems.

• Industry Developments: Case studies on how AI is implemented across different industries, geographies, and functions. 

• Ethical Considerations of AI: Bias, morality, responsibility in the AI era.

Beyond just taking a deep dive in theory, this course also takes an interactive approach. You'll build your practical skills through real-world case studies and projects on integration with cloud projects, employee/vendor decisions, and PM responsibilities.

Course Curriculum and Key Learning Outcomes

UCD Professional Academy's artificial intelligence course is designed for students with no previous knowledge of the industry and only basic technological know-how. 

Course Curriculum

Here are some of the key takeaways from the course curriculum:

• Foundations of AI for business: Understand the opportunities, challenges, and implications of AI skills in business.

• Key capabilities for AI adoption: This course covers the essential tools and strategies organisations need to build to enjoy the benefits of AI.

• Societal and legal implications: A deep theoretical dive into the societal and legal implications of AI, such as data protection and ethical considerations.

• Impact on human capital: Learn how AI will influence the development of human capital in the future workforce.

Key Outcomes

Once you finish the course, you will be able to:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the value of AI for business.

• Identify the essential building blocks needed for successful AI adoption.

• Develop a strategic roadmap for AI implementation in different industries.

• Navigate the social and legal landscape of AI and ensure its ethical use.

• Prepare your workforce for the future of AI

• Apply AI to solve real-world business challenges across different industries.

• Effectively communicate about AI to stakeholders.

Expert Tutors and Industry-Relevant Training

UCD Professional Academy's Professional Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business is taught by a team of experienced industry professionals. These tutors have a deep understanding of AI and its applications, so you can count on receiving the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge.

The course is designed to meet the demands of the modern AI landscape in Ireland. For instance, the country’s education sector currently has the highest demand for AI professionals. That’s why the course covers AI applications in educational institutions. 

UCD Professional Academy also emphasises practical learning through hands-on projects. You'll have plenty of opportunities to apply your AI knowledge to real-world scenarios and build a strong portfolio of work.

At UCD Professional Academy, we believe the best way to learn AI is by doing. Our course is packed with hands-on projects that use real-world scenarios, mirroring what you'll encounter in your future career.

Beyond traditional lectures, the course fosters a collaborative learning environment. You'll engage in group projects, discussions, and workshops and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

Success Stories from UCD Alumni

The UCD Academy AI in Business course is behind many success stories of AI specialists in Ireland. Here are some of the reviews of the course’s many alumni.

“This transformational course demystifies AI. It changed how I view this cutting-edge technology. From chatbots to predictive analytics to robotics to autonomous vehicles, this course covers it all. I now have a firm understanding of AI and how it connects to digital transformation initiatives. I am looking forward to continuing my journey with AI.” – William Patrick Doyle.

“Upon completion of this course, I feel equipped to confidently navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI on a high level. I highly recommend "AI for Business" to any business professional who seeks to gain a competitive edge in the AI-driven world of today.” – Michelle Noonan.

“A fantastic course that really helped provide a solid foundation in AI and its applications in a business context. Alan, the lecturer, was amazing. Not only was he very knowledgeable about the subject, but he was also able to explain the concepts in a simple and engaging way. I would highly recommend this course, and I cannot wait to start the brand new Advanced AI course that UCD Professional Academy has just launched.” – Ian Jackson.

Why UCD’s AI Course Stands Out in Ireland

Here’s why UCD Professional Academy’s AI in Business course may be the right fit for you.

Flexible Study Options 

To accommodate diverse learning styles and schedules, UCD Professional Academy offers flexible study options that cater to students' needs. That includes:

• Part-time study

• Online learning

Comprehensive Support

In addition to top-notch instruction, UCD Professional Academy offers a robust support system to help students succeed. They’ll receive a wealth of online materials, including tutorials, practice exercises, and reference materials. Plus, our dedicated Student Services team is always available to help you with any questions, technical issues, or concerns.

Conclusion

The career opportunities are endless for those who have the right AI-related skills. If you’re not an expert in AI yet, this course can be the perfect place to get started. 

Ready to take your career to the next level? The UCD Professional Academy Diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business is your gateway to mastering AI skills that are in high demand. Enrol today to gain the expertise you need to excel in Ireland’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Visit our course page to learn more and secure your spot!