AI is going to eliminate more jobs than you think. A tidal wave of artificial intelligence is set to crash into the global economy, with over 300 million jobs worldwide at risk of disruption. This technological revolution, likened to the future arriving ahead of schedule, could see at least 12 million Americans needing to switch fields by 2030. However, AI is also projected to inject between $17 trillion and $26 trillion into the global economy, creating new industries and job opportunities. Among these new job opportunities, one notable role is a prompt engineer.
What is prompt Engineering?
Prompt engineering can be thought of as crafting questions or instructions to get the best possible responses from artificial intelligence (AI) systems. Imagine you’re trying to get an intelligent robot to do or create something specific, like write a story, solve a problem, or draw an image. The way you ask or tell it to do something—your “prompt”—needs to be clear, precise, and thoughtful to guide the AI toward understanding precisely what you want.
It’s like giving someone directions. If your instructions are clear and well thought out, you’re more likely to get them to the exact destination you had in mind. In AI, prompt engineers give these directions to ensure the AI performs tasks effectively and creatively, turning vague ideas into concrete results.
I personally like the analogy of prompting to designing effective Google searches. There are clearly better and worse ways to write queries against the Google search engine that solve your task. This variance exists because of the opaqueness of what Google is doing under the hood.
Average Salary of a Prompt Engineer:
In the US, if you’re working as a Prompt Engineer, you’re likely to earn about $110,331 a year. This includes an average base salary of around $92,607. Plus, you might get an extra $17,723 a year from bonuses, commissions, or even tips and profit sharing. These numbers are like the average of what everyone’s saying they earn, fitting right in the middle of the highest and lowest salaries reported for this job.
Future of Prompt Engineering Jobs:
The future of prompt engineering is mixed. Initially celebrated for its potential to revolutionize AI interactions, it now needs more scepticism about its long-term viability as a career. Critics argue that prompt engineering needs more depth, focusing on manipulating AI with proper understanding.
Despite this, the core skills of crafting effective prompts are recognized as increasingly important, akin to computer literacy. While prompt engineering may not emerge as a distinct career path, its techniques will likely become valuable across various fields, ensuring its relevance far beyond a mere trend.
Essential Skills for a Career in Prompt Engineering:
As prompt engineering continues to grow, with over 3,788 job openings on Indeed and potential salaries reaching up to $335k, it’s clear that this career path holds considerable promise. For those interested in venturing into prompt engineering, specific skills are fundamental to success in the role:
- Natural Language Processing (NLP) Knowledge: Understanding the basics of NLP, including various libraries and frameworks, is crucial. This includes familiarity with how language models work and the ability to manipulate these models to achieve desired outcomes.
- Proficiency in Python: Python is often used to develop and interact with generative AI models. Proficiency in Python allows prompt engineers to craft effective prompts and potentially modify or extend AI models.
- Experience with Generative AI Models: Knowledge and experience with generative AI models are vital. This includes understanding how these models generate text, images, or code based on their input.
- Contribution to Open-Source Projects: Engaging with open-source projects related to AI and machine learning can provide practical experience and demonstrate a candidate’s skills and commitment to the field.
- Educational Background: While most prompt engineers hold a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, the door is open to those with less technical backgrounds. Individuals with degrees in writing or other disciplines have entered the field through self-study and hands-on experimentation with AI technologies.
The foundation of a successful career in prompt engineering is the blend of technical knowledge in computer science and NLP, practical programming skills, and a willingness to engage in continuous learning.
