AI career opportunities: Choosing the right college major could play a major role in whether students thrive in the fast-growing AI economy or struggle to keep up. Since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, workers in jobs most exposed to artificial intelligence have seen the largest wage gains, as per a study by Stanford University and the World Bank.
AI jobs and rising salaries since ChatGPT
Those building and guiding AI systems are now landing some of the economy’s fastest-growing roles, with median salaries topping $135,000, as per an Investopedia report. As interest in AI careers grows, students and professionals alike are trying to understand which degrees actually open the door to these high-paying opportunities.
Is there a perfect college degree for AI careers
Experts say there is no single “perfect” AI degree. Instead, success often comes from combining technical fluency in AI with expertise in another field. Eugene Vinitsky, a professor and AI researcher at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, said that, “Math and computer science skills are always helpful. But in the future, a powerful combination will be understanding AI deeply enough to avoid basic mistakes—while also having real expertise in another domain,” as quoted by Investopedia.
Why employers value interdisciplinary AI majors
Employers are drawing talent from a wide range of majors. Traditional paths such as computer science and data science remain common, but interdisciplinary degrees including cognitive science, linguistics, design, and philosophy are also emerging as gateways into AI-related careers.
What skills matter more than the degree title
What matters most, Vinitsky said, is not the name of the degree but the mix of skills it builds, math and coding for understanding the technology, plus knowledge of a field that interests you so you can apply that knowledge to real-world problems, as quoted by Investopedia.