OpenAI, Meta and Stability AI entice with attractive careers prospects for specialists in artificial intelligence (AI). But is it enough to have programming skills and know how to use the relevant tools to succeed in this career field? Marc-David Rompf, a recruiter who recruits executives and AI specialists, explains in an interview how to build a career in this emerging field. According to Rompf, Germany stands out as an excellent location for training in this discipline, but lags behind as a job market. He cites the need for caution as the labor market is slow to respond and many companies want to start AI projects, but often don’t know what professionals are needed to effectively staff such projects.
He argues that although IT professionals are often burdened with tasks that have nothing to do with their area of expertise but are still related to AI, graduates who focused on AI early in their studies often face challenges in finding the right company for their specific skills.
Rompf emphasizes that practical knowledge of programming and the use of relevant tools is only part of the knowledge needed. A broader and deeper understanding of AI and its application in practice is essential. Furthermore, he identifies a gap between AI education and practice in Germany – while the country offers an excellent educational foundation, it seems to lag behind in implementing this knowledge in the workplace.
Contributing to this problem is the fact that many companies want to initiate AI projects, but it is often unclear what specialist skills are needed to carry out such projects successfully. To address these obstacles, Rompf emphasizes the need for aspiring AI specialists to acquire not only hard skills, but also a deeper understanding of AI and its applications.
Finally, Rompf emphasizes the importance of choosing the right company for the professional development of young AI talent and their careers. He notes that many recent AI specialists with specialized knowledge and skills often struggle to find a company that can best leverage their specialized knowledge and skills.
