Computer Science degrees may soon no longer be needed to land a job in the tech industry thanks to AI advancements. That is according to IBM's chief managers on AI development.
Matt Candy, IBM global managing partner in generative AI, told the Fortune that many tech companies may soon demand more creative thinkers than code specialists in the future.
Candy is referring to prompt engineers whose role does not rely on IT skills but has the knowledge to teach AI on "learning to talk our language."
Prompt engineers refer to employees who provide critical information to large language models like ChatGPT and Google Bard in training it to mimic human behavior and thinking
Recent salary reports place prompt engineers at a minimum of six-figure wages, often outpacing traditional computer science-related jobs.
Tech Industry Increases Demand on Generative AI
Candy's statement was inspired by the growing demand for generative AI in the tech industry as more companies seek to automate redundant positions.
The AI hype that has been started by ChatGPT has opened up new production methods with many jobs, particularly in customer services, replaced by AI over the past 12 months.
IBM itself has slowed down its hiring process, specifically in HR, as it transitions its staff conversation with chatbots.
At the same time, roles related to AI development and testing have increased to correct inaccuracies and false results from AI.
Candy said more liberal arts graduates, such as literary and graphic arts, may soon become more in demand for AI programs like ChatGPT and Dall-E.
How to Become a Prompt Engineer
As Candy said, the role of prompt engineer does not necessarily need a Computer Science degree unlike in programming and back-end coding.
Instead, the job requires applicants with skills or experience with machine learning, including the knowledge of how to interact with large language models.
Several institutions, like Amazon and Stanford University, are offering free online courses to help people learn relevant skills in AI development.
Including these certifications in the resumé can help land the job for a prompt engineer.
