Here's how you can transition into an AI consulting career.

To become an AI consultant, the prerequisite is naturally to be up-to-date in computer science and AI. Is that enough? NO. It isn't!!! In my experience, you also have to work on: 1. Pragmatic skills: It's crucial to understand the domain you're consulting for in AI, whether it's healthcare, logistics, or social media. Acquire comprehensive knowledge before you utter a single word! There is nothing worse than somebody who talks about implementing AI without having the slightest idea of how to apply it to the project! 2. SOCIAL EMPATHY. Listen to the teams you are going to consult for. Get to like them. To understand them. Learn to work with them as a team to solve their problems with AI. If you do this, you will most likely succeed!

Para desarrollar habilidades de inteligencia artificial para convertirse en consultor, es importante tener un conocimiento constante sobre el tema, ya que cambia a ritmo vertiginoso, y no hay día que no salga una IA nueva o con nuevas funcionalidades.

Es crucial desarrollar una red profesional sólida en el campo de la IA. Conectarse con otros consultores y profesionales de la industria puede ofrecer valiosas oportunidades de mentoría y colaboración. Además de las habilidades técnicas, las competencias blandas como la comunicación efectiva y la capacidad de traducir complejidades técnicas para audiencias no técnicas son esenciales para consultores de IA.

Begin with a solid foundation in computer science, data analysis, and programming, particularly in languages like Python. Understanding machine learning algorithms is crucial. Familiarize yourself with AI tools and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch, and consider pursuing certifications in AI or data science to formalize your knowledge.

Love this point. Working directly with Generative AI for almost two years, as an AI Artist, AI app builder, GPT creator, all while using AI within my everyday workflows, as well as in marketing and storytelling—I have a strong understanding of the benefits and drawbacks that AI offers within a variety of settings. Podcasting about AI and authoring a book which is a creative’s guide to AI, helps me share the knowledge gained through experience coupled with research, to help better guide clients on how to best collaborate with AI. Hands on learning helps me craft an in-depth personal perspective from experience while authentically advising on the important role ethics plays in the future of our success with AI.

Begin by working on AI projects within your current role or seeking internships in AI-related fields. This hands-on experience exposes you to real-world challenges in implementing AI solutions, allowing you to develop problem-solving skills and gain insights into business needs. Through practical projects, you'll learn how to navigate data complexities, optimize models, and deliver tangible value to clients or employers, preparing you for a successful career as an AI consultant.

La colaboración interdisciplinaria es esencial en la IA. Al interactuar con expertos en campos diversos, no solo amplías tu comprensión técnica, sino que también desarrollas una visión integral que es altamente valorada en consultoría. Dado que la IA está en constante evolución, la actualización continua es clave. Participar en cursos y certificaciones especializadas puede brindar un conocimiento más profundo y actualizado, esencial para asesorar eficazmente a los clientes.

If you are working in an IT setting then you already have the skin in the game. If not, or you wish to supplement that, take up data science competitions on kaggle Or other similar platforms. See the problem statements, top solution approaches and try to design your own.

There is no substitute for real experience and domain understanding, if you are thinking about a consulting role. a) Jot down the kind of consulting role you would like to do. b) Wherever you currently are, start getting your hands dirty with AI. Specifically, experiment with aspects that would benefit in the consulting area you envision. c) Start attending conferences and seminars of domains in which you are interested in consulting. This will help build your expertise in the domain. d) Jump out, and take a consulting gig. Most consulting opportunities will be related to AI transformation, so as long as you understand the domain, existing solutions and have sufficient experience dabbling with AI, you should be able to get started.

Given that generative AI is unlike other technologies, it is all about mindset to learn and to figure out how to best integrate into a given field. As such, networking and finding pain points that those in different areas and then seeing how you can apply AI to address those is one of the best way.

Attend industry conferences, join AI-focused online communities, and connect with professionals in the field through platforms like LinkedIn. Engaging with industry experts not only keeps you updated on developments but also opens doors to mentorship and job opportunities. Building relationships with experienced practitioners can provide valuable insights, guidance, and support as you navigate your transition into AI consulting.

Expand your professional network within the AI industry by networking with consultants, practitioners, researchers, and industry experts. Attend AI conferences, seminars, and networking events to connect with potential employers, clients, and collaborators. Join AI-focused online communities, forums, and social media groups to engage with peers, share insights, and stay updated on industry trends. Leverage your network to uncover job opportunities, receive mentorship, and establish your presence in the AI consulting field.

Networking is key during career shifts. Attend conferences, join online AI communities, and connect with professionals. This opens doors to mentorship and job opportunities while offering insights into industry needs. Remember, relationships matter as much as skills.

Familiarizing yourself with business strategy, operations, and industry-specific challenges is essential. By understanding business processes and objectives, you can effectively align AI solutions with organizational goals, identify opportunities for optimization, and address key pain points. This comprehensive approach not only enhances the effectiveness of your AI consulting services but also enables you to provide tailored solutions that deliver tangible value to clients across diverse industries.

My background is in management and technology consulting, specifically business transformation using innovative technologies. My conversations with clients and partners about AI really come to fruition when we are discussing how the technology can address specific business pains or create new business opportunities, rather than discussing technical features. Working on the intersection of technology and business is what has brought me the most success. Learning from others about where AI has impacted their business the most and doing your own research are a few tips on where to start.

AI consulting involves more than just technical expertise; it requires a deep understanding of business processes and objectives. By familiarizing yourself with business strategy, operations, and industry-specific challenges, you can develop AI solutions that address real business needs and add value.

Boost your AI consulting potential by mastering business processes and strategy to align AI solutions with organizational goals. Enhancing your business acumen will distinguish you in the AI field and provide tangible value to clients

Identify niche areas within AI where you can specialize and differentiate yourself from others. Whether it's computer vision, natural language processing, predictive analytics, or AI strategy consulting, choose a specialization that aligns with your interests, skills, and market demand.

Lead the AI innovation curve. Pursue and specialise in emerging AI subfields poised for growth. Leading organisations seek top talent to help them win at the forefront of innovation, making expertise in new, less saturated areas highly valuable, lucrative and incredibly exciting for all involved.

True, you can be the jack of all trades, but its better to be a specialist. I made this mistake a while back with my youtube channel. I tried to cover too many different topics. Its best to stick to one topic, for me it is only AI, but I go deep into it now. Before I was doing PCB design then FPGA's then AR, then computer vision. So it really diluted my focus and my target audience.

Specialization in such a fast changing field helps both the consultant and their client. With so many headlines, new tools, new startups, as well as pending regulations, having focus in one area will help the AI advisor not burnout from information overload. I feel it also helps decision makers find the right expert in the sea of options. As a specialist, I can truly understand my clients’ pain points & help them problem solve within a niche. AI can be intimidating for many and for others a challenge around ethical use and implementation. By choosing areas of focus such as fashion, well-being & storytelling for example, it allows me to hone in on use cases, AI tools, as well as best practices that can help me guide clients.

Alongside AI-related technical skills, it's vital to fully understand the business challenges in a chosen industry. Adopting a use case-driven mindset and an end-to-end approach allows for creating long-lasting AI solutions tailored to tackle real-world issues. By concentrating on an industry you're passionate about, you can spot main problems, create improved use cases, and deliver effective AI solutions that achieve meaningful results. I think this approach also creates consulting value and establishes a niche.

Upholding ethical standards in AI development not only ensures compliance but also builds trust with clients and the broader community. As AI consultants, championing ethical practices and responsible AI can significantly impact our credibility and the positive influence of our work.

Leverage your relevant expertise and knowledge, pursue certifications or advanced degrees in AI, network within the AI community, and prioritize transparency, fairness, accountability, privacy, human oversight, and the well-being of individuals and communities affected by AI applications. Responsible AI consulting should aim to develop and deploy AI systems that benefit society while mitigating potential risks and unintended consequences.

Maintain integrity in your AI consulting role by prioritizing ethical practices in your AI solutions, ensuring they're bias-free and comply with data privacy laws. Advocating for ethical AI enhances your credibility and contributes positively to society

Ethical considerations are paramount in AI consulting. It's essential to ensure that AI solutions are fair, transparent, and free of biases. Familiarizing yourself with ethical guidelines and data privacy laws not only safeguards your projects but also builds your reputation as a trustworthy consultant. Championing ethical AI practices is indeed crucial for both societal benefit and professional integrity.

Acquiring knowledge in business management or strategy can help you align AI solutions with overarching business goals effectively. Being able to communicate in the language of business is a valuable skill that can differentiate you as an AI consultant.

Model interpretability techniques, such as SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) & LIME (Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations), help clients understand AI decisions, fostering trust in the model’s outputs. During an AI consulting project for credit scoring, I used SHAP values to explain model predictions to the client’s risk management team. This transparency helped them comprehend why specific applicants were rated as high-risk, ensuring regulatory compliance & maintaining their trust in the AI system. Understanding data engineering practices like ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) processes & data pipeline creation is crucial for efficiently managing data used in AI models.

? Create a portfolio of your work, maintain an active professional blog, or publish articles on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only demonstrates your expertise but also helps in building your personal brand. ? Earning certifications from reputed organizations can lend credibility to your expertise. Certifications in AI, data science, and even specific tools or technologies related to AI can be highly beneficial. ? If you’re new to consulting, you might start as a freelancer or take on small consulting projects. This allows you to build a track record and gain confidence from smaller successes.