From OpenAI’s ChatGPT to Google’s Gemini and Anthropic’s Claude, artificial intelligence is increasingly changing the ways in which businesses operate. The ability of this technology to analyze large amounts of data, summarize information and more is a double-edged sword, allowing businesses to increase effectiveness and efficiency but also presenting challenges for those lacking the knowledge or skill to properly leverage the tech.
With new features and tools being released on a consistent basis, it can be difficult for professionals to know where to start or how to keep up in a constantly changing field. Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members share tips to help professionals effectively break into the AI or generative AI field of work.
1. Start Small
Being in digital banking, I see how breaking into fast-paced technologies like artificial intelligence offers challenges and opportunities. Start small by leveraging tools to enhance your work and boost productivity while gaining AI experience. Once adept, explore ways AI can transform your work processes and broader aspects of your business. – Stephen Bohanon, Alkami
2. Avoid Thinking That AI Alone Is Enough
If you’re using AI, the world thinks it’s ingenious. I’ve seen the performance of multimillion-dollar websites sink while implementing AI as a split A/B test. Rather than trying to make a career out of AI as a “fast fix,” realize instead that artificial intelligence must be tweaked by good research and rewriting for it to be effective. – Tammy Sons, Tn Nursery
3. Do Your Research
Being technical versus nontechnical in AI is a spectrum, not a binary identity. I recommend reading whitepapers, specifically on AI safety and frontier AI technologies. To get familiar with the technical fundamentals, learn by doing. Spin up some Jupyter Notebooks, follow some tutorials and learn to fine-tune a model, deploy endpoints and get familiar with the underlying models. – Liam Collins, Proxis
4. Approach AI Like A User
Jump in and play around as a user. The cost of entry is incredibly low, and it’s the Wild West. Obviously, there are technical data skills needed, but people who understand human desires and expectations for interacting with technology will be highly valued. – Rob Davis, NOVUS
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5. Prioritize Mastering Foundational AI Concepts
Focus on mastering foundational AI concepts like machine learning, neural networks and natural language processing while also staying updated on tools like PyTorch, TensorFlow and generative models like GANs, transformers and more. Pair technical skills with creativity, as generative AI thrives on innovation. Building personal projects or contributing to initiatives can showcase expertise and passion. – Dr. Malcolm Adams, Avid Solutions Intl
6. Explore Free Online Classes
If you are going to learn AI, there are a number of free classes online that would be a great place to start. AI is here to stay, but it won’t be replacing humans anytime soon, as the human touch still needs to be added to any AI content. People who know how to use AI will replace those who are not trained or certified in AI. There will probably be colleges offering this if they are not already. – Allen Kopelman, Nationwide Payment Systems Inc.
7. Understand Algorithms And Neural Networks
Understanding algorithms and neural networks will give you an advantage. Additionally, knowing your target industry—be it healthcare, finance or entertainment—will help you create tailored solutions. Seek education, work on projects and connect with AI communities to boost your opportunities. – Daniel Levy, GovernmentOfficeFurniture.com
8. Find Your Niche
Focus on mastering a niche within generative AI, such as prompt engineering, ethical AI or AI for specific industries. Generative AI is vast, so specializing will help you stand out while building expertise that’s in high demand. It’s also key to staying curious and experimenting. This field evolves rapidly, so hands-on learning is the best way to stay ahead of the curve. – Khurram Akhtar, Programmers Force
9. Contribute To Open-Source Or Hands-On Projects
A practical tip for breaking into generative AI is to contribute to open-source projects or build small applications using tools like OpenAI APIs. Hands-on projects, such as creating chatbots or generating content, can help you gain real-world experience and showcase your skills. – AyoOluwa Nihinlola, uLesson Education Limited
10. Develop Technical, Critical Thinking And Communication Skills
Generative AI is going to serve as augmentation to human effort, not as a replacement to it. Those wanting to break into the field need to not only develop their technical skills but also develop their critical thinking and communication skills so that they can effectively harmonize outputs within their organizational context. – Elise Awwad, DeVry University
11. Master Prompt Engineering
Focus on mastering prompt engineering, as it’s the backbone of generative AI. Knowing how to craft precise inputs maximizes AI’s potential and ensures quality outputs. If you pair this with a strong understanding of ethics and real-world applications, you’ll stand out in this fast-evolving field and be ready to create impactful solutions. – Saheer Nelliparamban, ZilMoney
12. Take A Long-Term Perspective
Rather than taking a vertical perspective, I would encourage professionals to take a longer view. Consider how humanizing AI can create more creative, collaborative and productive inclusive communications and practices. – Nora Herting, ImageThink
13. Position Yourself On The Business Side Of AI
Covering the technology side of AI is one thing, but I would advise new talent to position themselves on the business side of things with AI. Serve as a process expert and business liaison to technology. Focus on understanding end-to-end processes and business cases and mastering the art of asking questions. To me, AI mastery comes with a lot of soft and people skills. – Barbara Wittmann, IT Zeitgeist LLC
14. Examine The Ethical Considerations
The ethical implications of generative AI in our everyday lives is a field that is yet to be fully uncovered as a professional career path. Society needs to be sure that AI solutions are aligned with its values and can keep all personal data secure. – Nikola Minkov, Serpact
15. Understand The ‘Why’ Behind AI
Focus on understanding the “why” behind generative AI, not just the “how.” It’s honestly more than just a tool. Dive into its real-world applications and solve meaningful problems with it. Build projects that showcase creativity and practical value because employers and investors love innovation. Most importantly, stay ethical and transparent; trust is everything in this rapidly evolving space. – Brandon Aversano, Alloy Market
16. Pursue Your Passion
My tip for breaking into generative AI is to pursue your passion. No industry will remain untouched, so focus on what excites you most—art, science, business—and explore how AI can amplify your impact. Success comes from blending your unique expertise with AI’s possibilities. Stay curious, experiment and embrace failures as part of the journey. Think big—AI rewards purpose and passion. – Einaras von Gravrock, CUBE3.AI
17. Be A Learner
With a field that changes and progresses as quickly as AI, everyone will always be learning. Put yourself in that group by asking questions and listening well. Seek out others who are more experienced and ask for their advice. Then, crucially, put that advice into practice. This hungry, open approach is exactly what employers are looking for. You can learn skills, but you can’t learn to hustle. – Brad Benbow, Prolific
18. Combine Domain Expertise With AI Knowledge
Pair deep domain expertise with AI know-how. Generative AI is transforming industries, but the real innovators will be those who truly understand their sector—whether it’s healthcare, finance or media—and can connect that knowledge to AI’s capabilities. It’s not just about building tech; it’s about solving real problems and driving business impact where it matters most. – Maneesh Sharma, LambdaTest
19. Push Limits
Challenge the status quo, as AI can lead to unique breakthroughs. Mastery of AI is vital, but pushing technology requires a willingness to explore its limits and exploit them. Learning how to leverage AI to enhance efficiency is your task. Instead of believing that certain tasks cannot be accomplished with AI, push the limits and find a work-around. Short of teleportation, AI can do some amazing feats. – Cory McNeley, UHY Consulting
20. Act As A Bridge For Business Problems And AI Solutions
Focus on becoming the bridge between business problems and AI solutions. The most valuable skill isn’t coding—it’s the ability to translate complex AI capabilities into clear business impact. Start by understanding core business challenges, then learn to articulate how AI can transform them into opportunities. – Samuel Darwin, Sparkle
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