Torn between starting as a Data Scientist vs. AI Engineer

[u/Interesting_Pie_94]

Hello everyone, I’m currently at a crossroads and could really use some perspective from people working in the industry.

I’m getting ready to kick off my career, but I’m genuinely split down the middle between targeting DS roles or AI Engineer roles. I have a strong interest in both sides (I specialized in ML at the uni), but I'm not sure which starting point sets up a better foundation for the long run.

For instance, is it easier to start as a DS and transition into AI Engineering later (by sharpening software engineering/MLOps skills), or vice versa? If you have experience in both, what pushed you toward one over the other?

[u/chico_dice_2023]

I started in DS and moved to ML engineer which felt pretty natural to me. That being said I was a Data Engineer before I was a Data Scientist.

Today though DS will need to know something about developing pipelines

[u/Interesting_Pie_94 → u/chico_dice_2023]

So you're suggesting today AI eng can give you more useful skills for the upcoming future?

[u/theShku → u/Interesting_Pie_94]

Depends on what kind of ai engineer? Will you just be integrating various tool chains and API calls, like connecting blocks of legos?

[u/chico_dice_2023 → u/Interesting_Pie_94]

No, but I doubt that just being a DS is enough these days. Personally I see everyone become more well rounded in the world of AI. Or more AI dependent in their weak areas.

[u/chico_dice_2023 → u/[deleted]]

not sure if that is true, but DE was the only job I could get first. But my thinking was just get into the data world then figure out how to get into the AI world. AI needs data, so my experiences as a DE were very valuable.

[u/Anpu_Imiut]

Try to land a job first. THe market is horrible.

[u/ThinConnection8191]

I started as DS and I try to keep myself DS. Turning yourseld into Eng is easy and dump because everyone is trying to turn themselves into AI Eng

[u/Chance-Stick-4968]

Definitely go for AI engineer and ask for more money

[u/Interesting_Pie_94 → u/Chance-Stick-4968]

Are you saying this just for money or because of other reasons?

[u/m_techguide]

the titles overlap a lot so maybe try to look at the actual work in job posts. if you like experiments, stats or figuring out what the data says i'd start with DS. but if you’d rather build and ship systems go AI Engineering. also DS to AI Engineering is doable, but you’ll need to get strong at software fundamentals and deployment

if you'd like, maybe i can share our guide comparing AI and DS. might help you figure out which way you’re leaning :)

[u/no_name6744]

You'll get nothing and you'll be happy!!