You're looking to get into AI. How can you find a mentor who can help you navigate the field?

Attend an AI conference, preferably in a sub-field of AI that you're interested in. You'll meet people there, and hear from them directly about where the field is moving. You may even find your mentor there.

I think it is vital to note that the field of AI is incredibly broad (and will become even broader). Both companies and individuals are getting too grips with where best their skills sit within the sector today and tomorrow. One of the first things I recommend you do is attend AI events and meet-ups and speak to lots of people. Hear about what they do in the field, and learn about the opportunities available. One of them may well become a mentor for you, but if you're just starting out, narrowing yourself down to the advice of one person is not a great idea. Once you've spoken to a lot of people, then look at some of the freely available or low cost e-learning courses in areas of interest to increase your knowledge and understanding.

. . . And ask yourself if a mentor is the best way to get there. This space is moving too fast to rely on a single person. Instead, 1) expand your learning AND networking circles to get grounded in AI, and 2) lean on a career coach to help you navigate the soft skills to land where you want. Here's 3 ways to achieve the first: A. Find credible voices to follow, and let them do the work for you--they will post/write/speak/podcast about what they feel is most important. B. Amplify your learning by recruiting friends or even loose connections with the same goals, and meet regularly to share your findings. C. Set a regimen. When the space is moving fast, you need a daily dip! I have daily and weekly regimens to stay connected.

Before seeking a mentor in AI, define your objectives clearly. Are you aiming to master a particular area like computer vision, or enhance specific skills such as programming? This clarity will guide you to a mentor whose expertise and goals align with yours, much like choosing the right guide for a journey based on your destination.

There is so much noise around AI and you can easily end up down a rabbit hole. My initial mentor is AI itself - www.Pi.ai It's free, supportive, conversational and helps the user work through the right questions on Ai and a whole host of other topics. Start there and use it to help you work out what you need from a mentor. Then reach out to the right person.

To find a mentor in AI, look within your current network—colleagues, professors, or online connections on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Someone in your circle may already be in the field or could introduce you to a suitable mentor. When reaching out, be clear and respectful about your learning goals and why you think they'd be a great mentor. As the Events Coordinator of Women in AI, Spain, WAI is a great network for female first:)

I would not seek a mentor to start. I would seek someone you know and trust who is just a little further along. AI mentors are still very rare and seeking a mentor for AI answers is a bit like going on a first date and wondering if this person is going to be ready for marriage soon. One step at a time is much more manageable. Again, AI is new and confusing to 100% of people. There is no one in your network who is not also confused by AI. Find a slightly more advanced peer to talk with. That will do wonders!

Networking in AI isn't just about meeting people; it's about finding the right mentor who aligns with your goals. Utilize AI-driven platforms like MentorCruise or AI Mentorship Network to match with mentors tailored to your specific interests and needs. Leverage AI tools for personalized recommendations based on skills, industry, and career trajectory.

To find a mentor, start looking at your contacts who is currently working in artificial intelligence/ machine learning projects. Depending on research or a live ML application, you can start working with the mentor learning theory or practical AI/ML. You can also parallely learn the fundamentals of AI/ML courses. Set your goals and create a plan for learning AI/ML. Discuss with mentor regarding concepts and the real life project experience .

If you're looking to learn more about AI and you want a mentor to be able to ask anything (and who's not called ChatGPT,) you probably already have someone in your network. Open up your first connections and roll through everyone. If there's no one there, pick a company you admire and someone there doing great work and reach out to them cold. You never know. It's how I found my co-founder.

Joining an AI community, either online or offline, connects you with like-minded individuals and potential mentors. Participate in forums, groups, or attend events like workshops and hackathons. Active engagement helps you learn, showcase your skills, and forge mentorship relationships. Women in AI, Teens in AI and for more techies, HuggingFace or OpenAI Community:)

Join communities such as https://mlops.community/ and take free courses that are available through sites such as edX and coursera to learn basics. Build a prompt in ChatGPT that asks it to build a custom program based on your learning requirements. Be specific about subject matter and include a time line.

Communities helps people to be in the touch of recent tech updates, whether it new GPT model or a new AI tool. Being a member in a community will get you know things earlier. So if you are tech enthusiast, try to be in tech community, attend their summits, events etc...

Immersing yourself in AI communities not only provides a wealth of learning opportunities but also fosters a collaborative spirit that's invaluable for growth. In such spaces, engaging in project-based collaborations can be especially rewarding. You'll encounter peers facing similar hurdles, enabling a rich exchange of solutions and experiences. This mutual support accelerates learning and problem-solving, underscoring the power of collective wisdom. Embrace these communities not just for the knowledge you can gain but for the shared journey of discovery and innovation they offer.

Join online AI communities, forums, or meetup groups where you can connect with experienced professionals who may be willing to mentor you.

Join professional AI organizations like the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) or the Machine Learning Society. These organizations often have mentorship programs or can facilitate networking opportunities. You can search for local AI or tech Meetup groups in your area. These groups can be a great way to meet potential mentors more casually.

Seeking a mentor requires ongoing effort and adaptability. Be proactive in reaching out to potential mentors and flexible as your goals evolve. Persistence is key, and learning from each interaction can refine your approach. Respect your mentor’s time and be ready to apply their guidance actively.

A lot of people make the mistake of just reaching out and asking. While that works some of the time, what you're actually doing is creating more work for that person! A better approach is to reach out with very specific questions, or a clear agenda of what a mentorship might look like. Demonstrate that you're the one doing the work, not them, and you're creating a structured space for them to provide advice and guidance. Try this approach and you'll get much better results reaching out to potential mentors!

Initiate conversations with potential mentors and be open to different mentorship arrangements, such as informal chats, structured meetings, or project collaborations.

The best way to initiate contact is often to ask insightful questions about articles or blogs written by your potential mentor. You could also start a discussion on a social media post where you both have commented. This shows genuine interest and helps establish a connection.

Being proactive and flexible in seeking a mentor means understanding the balance of give-and-take in this relationship. Recognize that mentors are often juggling their own commitments, so consider how you can make the relationship mutually beneficial. This might involve assisting with their projects, offering fresh perspectives, or even sharing your own network and resources. Demonstrating how you can add value not only makes you a more appealing mentee but also fosters a deeper, more reciprocal connection. This mindset ensures you’re not just taking from the mentorship but contributing to it, enhancing the experience for both parties.

You want to appreciate your mentor's time, theyre not your boss paid by a company, they are sacrificing their time to help you. Maximize that time and show them your progression to reinforce the relationship is providing value.

I have always believed mentor-mentee relations is more of give and take versus just take and take :) You can also make time to help your mentor in Their AI journey. Work together in small projects, so on and so forth. Becoming an expert on AI is a long journey, and giving back to your mentors will go a long way!

Being a mentor is mostly a voluntary activity, so showing appreciation and being thankful is almost mandatory. Leaders and experts who have dedicated its proffesional life to open new paths that right now make possible the AI are heroes. Take your time in writing recommendations!

Show gratitude for your mentor's time and guidance, and consider ways to give back, such as sharing your knowledge with others or assisting your mentor in their projects.

Happy to help. Time is precious, but will set aside some time to try and help:) All are welcome and particularly non techies, those just starting out, and the 55+ club!

?? Before seeking a mentor, it's crucial to embark on your own educational journey. Take the initiative to explore new AI tools, do your research, listen to podcasts, etc... Building a foundational understanding of the industry can lead to more thoughtful conversations and foster stronger relationships with potential mentors. By investing in your own learning and knowledge acquisition upfront, you can have more meaningful discussions and make the most of your mentor's expertise.

Ask the AI. No, seriously. One of the greatest benefits of AI is your ability to instantly interrogate large amounts of data. So if you want to get started with AI: Ask it what questions to ask. Ask AI to build you a learning plan, Ask it to lay out creative exercises that help you master the fundamentals, Ask it how brainstorm the use cases you should consider during your field. You’ll learn a lot by just asking.

For me personally, most important step has been to self-learn and read. AI is super broad as a subject. One can do a lot of deep diving online and via free courses. Once you are at a reasonable understanding, a mentor will help accelerate your AI journey!

My personal opinion to secure an AI job, is to have a solid grasp of core concepts like machine learning and programming languages is crucial. Generative AI has expanded opportunities but made the job market competitive. Candidates must demonstrate expertise in emerging technologies like generative models. Leveraging free online resources for hands-on experience and participating in projects and communities can help individuals stand out. With dedication and continuous learning, aspiring AI professionals can navigate the evolving demands of the job market effectively. If you are a fresher, I would suggest to start exploring the magic and knowledge Gen AI is ofdering. All the best.