Best Artificial Intelligence (AI) Bootcamps 2024

Want a rewarding career in artificial intelligence (AI)? Whether you’re looking to start or switch careers, AI is a growing industry. In fact, many concerned college graduates wish they’d had AI instruction.

The past year has shown us that AI has a more permanent future in our society. From business to healthcare, government, and tech, AI is used to code, write, and talk like a human. AI professionals create AI models and algorithms to solve complex problems by simulating human intelligence.

While many people seek to earn a university degree in AI, others look at bootcamps. Many AI bootcamps offer the flexibility of online learning. Many of these programs allow students to study on part-time and self-paced schedules.

Read on to learn about the key things to consider when choosing an AI bootcamp, as well as what to expect from these programs, what you may pay, and what you might earn after you graduate.

While cost is likely the most pressing issue, don’t forget to review each bootcamp’s curriculum focus.

Is the bootcamp’s curriculum relevant to current demands in the industry? And does the curriculum cover the AI technologies that are relevant to your career goals?

For example, do you want to focus on deep learning, natural language processing, data analysis, robotics, machine learning, or a mixture of these courses?

Also consider the learning format. Would you prefer to learn in-person, hybrid, or fully online? You might also consider the instructors’ qualifications in the field of AI.

The two terms are often used interchangeably, and a lot of certificate providers mix machine learning bootcamps with AI bootcamps, so it’s important to understand the differences between AI courses.

AI uses math and logic to mimic human reasoning and the human mind. You can find AI in the form of smart assistants, self-driving cars, and robotic vacuum cleaners, among other products.

Machine learning is a branch of AI that does not attempt to mimic human intelligence like AI. Instead, machine learning uses patterns to teach machines how to perform tasks and provide accurate results.

Machine learning is a subset of the broad field of AI. Examples of machine learning include social media algorithms and AI chatbots.

A recent report by Frost and Sullivan shows that 89% of business leaders surveyed in 2023 believe AI and machine learning help achieve business goals. These include operational efficiency, customer experience, and innovation.

One key advantage of AI for business is automation, which can free workers from simple, repetitive tasks like data entry, reducing errors and increasing efficiency. AI chatbots can also enhance customer service support through 24/7 personalized recommendations.

Businesses can use AI to identify trends and opportunities faster than traditional techniques. AI can also automate cybersecurity features for financial institutions that need to detect and prevent cybercrimes. Marketers can use AI to optimize marketing campaigns. HR professionals can use AI to streamline recruitment processes.

AI ultimately helps cut costs and streamline business processes, though employers still value human skills.

We researched AI bootcamps from institutions with a reputation for providing quality education. Costs will vary – we wanted to give you the full range of rates you can expect to see from these programs. Timelines also vary, ranging from 22 to 26 weeks. With regards to flexibility, most of these programs are fully online as well as part-time.

Graduates of AI bootcamps are typically qualified for entry-level positions. These include junior data analyst, junior data scientist, junior programmer, and AI research assistant. If you have more experience, you can apply for more complex roles like AI engineer or AI architect.

It’s important to consider that not all AI bootcamps offer the same depth of student resources such as career coaching. Fullstack Academy offers career coaching for up to a year after graduation, for example, though many programs only offer career coaching during your time as a student.

The University of Lousiana Layfayette’s AI program has a Job Outcomes Program that helps students position themselves for new job opportunities or promotions. Like many AI bootcamps, this program includes industry certification.

A good AI bootcamp also offers networking opportunities with alumni and companies that are actively hiring.

AI bootcamps are generally not eligible for federal financial aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). So while you’ll likely be unable to access federal loans or grants to pay for your program, private loans are available. For example, the private loan organization Ascent has helped over 15,000 bootcamp students fund their educations.

Some bootcamps offer scholarships. Fullstack Academy offers the $2,000 Tech Trailblazer Scholarship. AI Camp offers the AI Camp Scholarship for their incoming students. Virginia Tech’s AI & Machine Learning Bootcamp offers three different scholarship opportunities for incoming students. You can also apply for the AWS AI & ML Scholarship from Amazon Web Services. This scholarship covers full tuition for Udacity’s Nanodegree Program.

There are also bootcamp scholarships for women as well as scholarships for veterans.

Artificial intelligence is a high-paying and rapidly developing industry. According to Payscale, entry-level AI professionals earn between $58,000 to $106,000 annually, depending on the role.

For example, entry-level computer scientists can earn $71,000 annually, while a business development manager can expect to earn $58,000. Machine learning engineers start out at around $97,000 annually. As you gain experience, you can move from entry-level roles to mid-career roles, increasing your income by $20,000–$30,000.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reports high average salaries. For instance, computer and information research scientists earn around $145,080 each year. The average data scientists brings in around $108,020 each year.

AI bootcamps are worth the time, money, and effort if you want to quickly learn AI skills and find an AI job. AI bootcamps have exploded in popularity due to the short nature of these programs and their focus on job preparation, so the AI career outlook is excellent.

AI coding bootcamps can even benefit people who won’t directly engage in AI but have the skills for it. Gaining skills in coding and data analysis can prepare you for high-paying jobs across industries and roles.