Don’t dismiss hands-on experience
Gartner’s Ramirez noted that the current situation could be short-term — lasting over next two to five years. “It’s hard to tell if AI certification will be a requirement in five years, due to its rapidly evolving nature,” he said.
A benefit that certifications can provide junior talent is the opportunity to build their portfolios. Therefore, experts encourage junior AI roles to take advantage of the project-based learning often offered by certifications to expand their portfolios.
“Combining certification with practical examples will give them an advantage in today’s labor market,” Ramirez said.
Andrew Rabinovich, CTO and head of AI at freelance job marketplace Upwork, said that when it comes to hiring, his organization doesn’t always look at specific AI courses or certifications. Instead, they focus on workplace experience.
“There are some great primers for people new to the AI space, like online courses or YouTube talks from AI industry leaders, that can give a solid introduction,” he said. “But what matters most is whether someone has actually used the tools and understands their practical value and limitations.”
Upwork looks for people who know how to experiment with AI and can recognize what it can and can’t do, “including where hallucinations or errors might creep in. That kind of real-world fluency is far more important to our team,” Rabinovich said.
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