As increasing numbers of Arab university students aspire to study artificial intelligence (AI), Al-Fanar Media offers a brief guide to AI studies and the careers available to graduates in this rapidly expanding field.
There are good reasons for the surge of interest in AI studies, experts say, in light of the increasing importance of AI technologies in many fields, and an increased demand for AI graduates in the labour market.
As demand for AI specialists increases, so does the need for students who can build, use and manage emerging AI technologies, says Birmingham City University’s School of Computing and Digital Technology. In a conversation on its website, it quoted AI experts as saying this demand will continue to grow as AI applications spread.
Departments and Majors
Programmes in artificial intelligence are introduced under various names in Arab universities. Among them are the following departments and majors:
Data Science. This field studies data to draw conclusions that can help decision-makers have a better and more accurate vision, by collecting and analysing a huge amount of data related to a specific field, integrating a group of sciences, such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, and AI.
Machine Learning. This is a branch of artificial intelligence concerned with computer programming processes that make predictions more accurate, employing algorithms to process and learn from data on a certain subject, and produce useful outputs.
Cyber Security. This field aims to defend networks and data of all kinds from attacks and hacking attempts, by protecting devices that use various programmes or connect to servers.
Robotics. This field is concerned with programming machines to perform specific tasks with little or no human intervention. Many industrial robots perform simple, repetitive tasks that don’t require artificial intelligence, but AI applications in robotics are becoming more common as technologies become more sophisticated.
Expert Systems. This branch of AI deals with designing computer programmes that can solve complex problems, helping users to make optimal decisions. These programmes draw on broad and very accurate data bases in a specific field to make inferences.
Natural Language Processing. This is the technology that enables computers to process (or “understand”) written texts and spoken commands and perform tasks in response to users’ prompts. Familiar applications of this technology include chatbots and voice-activated GPS systems.
AI in Arab Universities
Many Arab universities pay great attention to AI teaching and research. Some of the major players include:
United Arab Emirates University
The College of Information Technology at the United Arab Emirates University offers students the opportunity to study AI. The college has three departments: Computer and Network Engineering, Computer Science and Software Engineering, and Information Systems and Security.
Ain Shams University (Egypt)
Egypt’s Ain Shams University offers programmes in artificial intelligence at the Faculty of Computers and Information Sciences. This college provides many options in specialised departments, which include scientific calculations, computer science, computer systems, information systems, bioinformation technology, software engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital multimedia.
King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Saudi Arabia)
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia gives great attention to teaching AI at several universities. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is in an advanced position, perhaps due to its focus on teaching engineering and computer science in particular, and other scientific fields in general. Students at KFUPM can study AI in its College of Computing and Mathematics, which was founded in 1986. This college has four departments: computer engineering, industrial and systems engineering, information and computer science, and mathematics.
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (U.A.E.)
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence specializes in postgraduate studies and is “dedicated to advancing AI as a global force for humanity”. The university focuses its research and master’s and doctoral studies on computer vision, computer science, natural language processing, machine learning, and robotics.
Egypt University of Informatics
Egypt University of Informatics offers students the opportunity to study AI and its applications through several departments: computer science, artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity, data science and engineering, graphics, and game programming.
The University of Jordan’s King Abdullah II School of Information Technology engages students in the study of artificial intelligence through its departments of computer science, information technology, computer information systems, and artificial intelligence.
Pristini School of AI (Tunisia)
Pristini School of AI offers bachelor’s and professional master’s degrees, plus other diplomas, in the field of AI and its applications in health, industry, business, agriculture, transportation, and other industries. The institution, which opened just last year, aims to keep pace with the global interest in teaching AI and achieve leadership in this regard within the African continent, according to its website.
Jobs for AI Graduates
In a recent blog post, SpringBoard, an online-learning platform that offers courses to prepare students to work in the technology industry, summarises 10 “awesome and high-paying” careers that AI graduates can pursue. These jobs include the following:
Machine Learning Engineer. SpringBoard says this job is a top choice for any graduate with specialised skills in data science, software engineering, the use of a number of programming languages, and good knowledge of software development tools. In the United States, a machine learning engineer can get an average salary of $131,000 annually, Springboard says, and some major companies, such as Facebook and Apple, offer annual salaries of up to $200,000.
Data scientist. Excellence in statistics, mathematics, and computer science is essential for becoming a data scientist. Mastery of programming languages, such as Python, Scala, and SQL, also qualifies a data scientist to receive an annual salary of up to $105,000.
Software Engineer. A software engineer in AI combines excellence in software and artificial intelligence. Studying data science qualifies such specialists to join prestigious institutions in the labour market. The annual salary for this job ranges between $108,000 and $150,000, depending on the specialty and level of experience.
Robotics Engineer. A robotics engineer needs to have knowledge of several fields, such as engineering, computer science, machine learning, and AI, to be able to design robots capable of carrying out various tasks successfully and efficiently. A robotics engineer can get an annual salary of $87,000 to $130,000.
Data Analyst. Data analysts are in demand across the world. Candidates pursuing this job must be proficient in SQL and other database languages, in addition to Python and visualisation tools such as Power BI. They must also show a deep understanding of the market where they work. A data analyst can get an annual salary of $65,000 on average.
Related Reading
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