The Cloud’s Silver Lining: A Forecast for the AI-Driven Workforce
Let’s get one thing straight: the future of cloud computing is as bright as a supernova, and it’s about to get a whole lot brighter. Why, you ask? Two words: Generative AI. This isn’t some crystal ball prediction; it’s the writing on the wall. The demand for cloud services is set to skyrocket in 2024, and the fuel for this rocket is none other than generative AI.
Now, I’m not the only one saying this. Mainstream publications are also jumping on the bandwagon, and it’s becoming clear as day that generative AI and cloud computing are about to become the power couple of the tech world.
But here’s the kicker: with every seismic shift in the market, there are winners and losers. So, the million-dollar question is, how can you ensure you’re on the winning side?
The AI Cloud Architect: The Master Builder
First off, we have the AI Cloud Architect. These are the folks who’ll be designing and optimizing cloud architectures to support generative AI workloads. And trust me, they’re going to be in high demand. We’re already short on cloud architects, and the blunders from this shortage are starting to show.
Companies will be clamoring for trained, experienced cloud architects who can make AI systems and cloud-based systems play nice. If this sounds like your cup of tea, you’ll need to get up to speed on how a cloud operates, the specific techniques that generative AI services use, and how to ensure the scalability, security, and performance of AI systems.
The AI Data Engineer: The Data Wrangler
Next up, we have the AI Data Engineers. These are the data wizards who manage and preprocess the massive data sets used to train generative AI models. They ensure data quality, implement pipelines, and optimize data storage and retrieval.
This role requires a solid understanding of databases, data integration, and how AI systems ingest data for training. They’ll also need to understand data curation, quality, security, and governance. Most of these folks will likely come from the data operations side, not the AI side.
The AI Model Curator: The AI Connoisseur
Then we have the AI Model Curators. These individuals will be responsible for selecting the most relevant and effective generative AI models for specific applications. They’ll need to have their finger on the pulse of the AI landscape and stay updated on the latest advancements.
This role is more focused on operations, but it requires specialized operations skills that most current ops team members won’t have. These people will likely come from the data ops side, but deep AI experience is essential.
The AI Ethicist: The Moral Compass
Believe it or not, AI Ethicists are going to be a thing. With the potential ethical implications of generative AI, these folks will play a crucial role in ensuring responsible AI usage. They’ll be tasked with assessing and mitigating biases, privacy concerns, and potential societal impacts of these new generative AI systems in the cloud.
The AI Trainer: The AI Whisperer
AI Trainers are the professionals who specialize in fine-tuning and optimizing generative AI models. They’ll work with data scientists and domain experts to prepare models for specific tasks and improve their performance and accuracy.
The AI Business Strategist: The Bridge Builder
Finally, we have the AI Business Strategists. These are the folks who can bridge the gap between technical AI capabilities and business goals. They’ll be identifying opportunities for generative AI deployment, developing strategies, and managing AI projects to drive business outcomes.
Most of these people will come from IT leadership roles with some technical background. They may have been project leaders or worked for the CIO at some point. They will need an eclectic mix of skills to be successful.
So, there you have it. The future of the AI-driven workforce. If any of these roles sound like a good career move, then it’s time to start training and positioning yourself for when they become available. Given that demand will outpace supply, these jobs will pay well, at least for the first few years.
