Alarmist declarations that technology will take our jobs have been heard since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (and possibly even when humans invented the wheel). In 1930, famous economist John Maynard Keynes warned of a “new disease” called technological unemployment. However, a Karl Compton — a leading scientist of this period — proposed that over time, while technology would always cost some jobs and disrupt communities, it would also result in job growth in other ways.
The intervening century has proven that Compton’s observations were correct: Although artificial intelligence (AI) can take away some jobs, it is also driving rapid job growth.
How AI is Reshaping the Workforce
AI is already changing work in numerous industries, leading to many new artificial intelligence careers. Bain & Company reported that the number of job postings requesting AI skills had surged over 20% annually since 2019, along with more than 11% increases in salaries. While AI can code better than many entry-level coders right now, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that AI will increase the number of software developers by nearly 18% from 2023 to 2033. The BLS also predicts that AI will drive growth in civil and aerospace engineering, financial advising, investment analysis, budget forecasting, architecture, and the law. Thus, AI is creating the career paths of the future as we speak.
Industries Driving Jobs in Machine Learning and AI
A 2023 survey of business leaders showed that more than 40% of global executives said that the lack of in-house expertise and AI talent was their business’s biggest obstacle in adopting generative AI. With this in mind, a degree in AI could lead to jobs in machine learning and AI in nearly every industry, including:
AI in Healthcare
When it comes to artificial intelligence in the healthcare realm, consider that:
- In 2024, the New England Journal of Medicine reported that generative AI could help improve chronic disease management and patient outcomes.
- Likewise, global consultants McKinsey & Company predicted that AI could reduce healthcare costs by up to $150 billion a year by 2026.
- AI is also expected to play a role in over 85% of customer interactions in healthcare by the end of 2025, according to Kevin Riddleberger, co-founder of DispatchHealth.
Specifically, artificial intelligence is driving considerable change in the healthcare industry with:
- Disease prevention and diagnosis
- Robotic surgery
- Personalized medicine
- Drug discovery and design
- Clinical research
- Enhanced care delivery
AI in Finance and Banking
If you’ve received a text or call asking if a credit card charge you made is correct, chances are, it came with the assistance of AI. Fraud detection using machine learning algorithms has been expanding rapidly in the banking and credit industries.
AI is reshaping tech careers in banking and finance, according to the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI). AI and finance jobs are fast-evolving, with risk assessment and financial advisement using AI tools. To stay current, CFI recommends continuous learning and developing AI skills for all finance professionals.
Human oversight and intervention are key. Although banking customer service and financial advisors already use AI, humans will continue to be essential as the technology matures.
AI in Autonomous Systems
Self-driving cars, drones, and robots are developing rapidly. While U.S. law limits the amount of autonomy cars and trucks have on our roads, the technology itself is advancing to the point that cars, trucks, and planes are anticipated to be able to operate without human intervention. They can potentially undertake dangerous or tedious roles within a short time, including space exploration. No matter what environments robots and drones work in, experts still believe AI should be aligned with human values.
In addition, while dancing robots might capture our interest, robotics holds great promise for emergency services. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) can rescue people, enter dangerous underwater environments, and even combat forest fires. AI is driving innovation in the automotive and aerospace industries, too, as well as enhancing logistics and supply chain management.
AI in Cybersecurity
Investment firm Morgan Stanley reports that the global market for AI cybersecurity will reach $135 billion by 2030. AI can detect cyber threats more accurately and quickly than humans, and it can also simulate social engineering attacks — helping cybersecurity teams train workers and expose organizational vulnerabilities.
Additionally, AI is driving techniques to protect data through sophisticated encryption, stopping breaches before they occur. Cybercriminals are also using AI to conduct ever more sophisticated attacks, requiring the use of AI to provide security monitoring and responses. Cybersecurity firm Darktrace’s 2025 survey found that 88% of chief information security officers (CISOs) believed that using AI in the security stack would free their security team to be more proactive in their work.
AI in Retail and E-commerce
Forms of AI have been used since the late 1990s to recommend products and provide personalized shopping experiences. AI can aid retail and wholesale businesses by forecasting demand and automating supply chain management. Chatbots are already present throughout retail and consumer shopping apps and websites, and logistics also benefits from AI. For example, UPS created AI-driven software called DeliveryDefense that helps prevent package theft and ensure packages are delivered on time.
High-Demand Careers in AI and Machine Learning
The BLS projects that more than 300,000 software developers will be needed through 2033, above and beyond the approximately 1.7 million people who currently work in the field. But software developers are just the start of high-demand AI and ML careers.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine learning engineers create, design, and test AI systems that learn and can make predictions. ML engineer salaries averaged over $160,000 as of early 2025, with more than 16,000 job openings. Experience in deep learning frameworks using Python (such as TensorFlow and PyTorch) is essential for ML engineers.
Data Scientist
Data scientists specializing in AI applications are in demand, with more than 5,000 job openings as of early 2025. Data scientists are experts in extracting insights from large amounts of data to drive business or government policy decisions. Data scientists need expertise in predictive analytics, natural language processing (NLP), and AI modeling.
AI Research Scientist
AI research scientists help develop and test new AI algorithms, models, and technologies. They focus on reinforcement learning, neural networks, and working toward artificial general intelligence (AGI). These scientists are also focused on ethics, fairness, and knowledge about AI systems.
Computer Vision Engineer
The ability to “see” is essential for many AI systems today, from government and Infosec applications to retail stores and digital assistants. Engineers who can develop AI models that can interpret and understand visual information are in high demand. Some areas of expertise for computer vision engineers include facial recognition, image classification, and augmented and virtual reality applications (AR and VR).
AI Product Manager
With thousands of jobs listed, AI product managers were in high demand as of early 2025. These product managers don’t create AI systems — but they do manage the development of AI products and systems, help deploy them, and direct user experiences. This demanding new career requires an understanding of how AI, business strategy, and customer needs can intersect.
Future Trends in Artificial Intelligence Careers
According to Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Industry Outlook, global spending on AI is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 30% between now and 2028. Tech leaders are expected to continue to focus on AI, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies. Across all industries, not just technology, AI is anticipated to boost productivity, enabling humans to focus on complex tasks, from combating increasingly severe weather events to curing disease.
Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence
AI is reshaping our workforce and our world every day. Although fears of AI taking jobs are prevalent, thousands of new positions benefiting from and using AI and machine learning are emerging daily. From healthcare to finance, and robots to cybersecurity, AI careers in diverse industries are expanding and thriving.
At Texas A&M University, our Online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence can position you to elevate your career in one of the fastest-growing technologies in human history. Request information or apply today!