Generative AI has made way for exciting new jobs, such as prompt engineers, who can earn up to 335k USD a year.

ChatGPT and generative AI are opening new career paths such as prompt engineer — Photo: Canva

Generative AI, the technological prodigy of our era, has been generating a lot of hype in recent times. This groundbreaking class of artificial intelligence creates new content, such as text, images, audio, or video, based on its mastery of deep learning algorithms. As the digital zeitgeist, it is revolutionising industries with its capacity to produce human-like outputs, from crafting poetic verses to generating artwork. The most notable generative AI is Chat GPT-4.

How good is GPT-4?

GPT-4 demonstrates a groundbreaking leap in artificial intelligence, with capabilities that bring us one step closer to Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), according to Microsoft researchers [1]. This advanced model is proficient in processing and generating content across various formats, including audio, video, images, and text. Its ability to accurately identify objects in images, provide comprehensive descriptions, and suggest solutions based on image content is truly impressive.

Exhibiting academic aptitude, GPT-4 achieves a notable 90th percentile on the Bar exam and scores high marks in college-level biology courses [2, 3]. Indicating the rapid development of AI technology, GPT-4 surpasses its predecessor, GPT-3.5, with a 40% improvement in factual accuracy, thereby reinforcing its position as a leading example of AI innovation.

ChatGPT 4 accuracy and effectiviness. How good is chatgpt-4? — Photo: Jonathan Kemper

Job opportunities

1. Prompt engineer

What are prompt engineers, and what do they do?

A "prompt engineer" is someone who excels at creating clear and effective instructions for generative AI models, most notably OpenAI's Chat GPT. Their skill lies in guiding these AI systems to produce the best possible outputs, making them valuable assets for companies trying to capture the value of AI.

Anthropic, a Google-backed startup, listed the following tasks in their job offer [4]:

Discovering and testing effective practices for various customer tasks.
Creating a library of quality prompts with a user-friendly search guide.
Developing tutorials and interactive tools for prompt engineering.
Collaborating with corporate clients on their prompting strategies.

Startups now offer specialised prompt engineering services, and the job title "prompt engineer" has gained traction among companies. These adept professionals craft instructions that guide generative AI models to achieve the desired output, navigating a balance where poorly constructed prompts may lead to unimpressive or inaccurate results. By employing specific language and instructions — encouraging the AI to "do" rather than "think"— prompt engineers unlock the full potential of generative AI.

For instance, when using proper instructions, creators utilising AI art platforms such as Midjourney can generate strikingly accurate and captivating images, showcasing the valuable skills of prompt engineers in the rapidly evolving AI landscape (see image below).

prompt engineer for ai art on midjourney to create photorealistic AI art — Created with AI art generator Midjourney by JAVIER-LLUESMA

Salary of prompt engineers

Anthropic is offering a salary ranging from $175k to $335k for an experienced prompt engineer [5]. Klarity, a Californian firm, is avidly seeking a skilled machine learning engineer with an intuitive knack for optimising AI outputs. With a compensation package of up to $230k, the company is searching for an individual adept at harnessing the potential of AI technology [6].

2. Data labelling specialist

Data labelling improves AI models, especially in natural language processing. Although the dependence on high-quality data labelling is decreasing, many AI researchers still prioritise rigorous data labelling, highlighting its importance in creating accurate and safe AI models for a broad range of users. For example, training a language model on legal text requires domain expertise to ensure accurate labelling. This creates opportunities for consultants with the right expertise from various fields to participate in training these models [7].

3. Virtual assistant developer

Virtual assistants are being increasingly utilised by businesses and individuals to enhance customer experience and productivity. Creating these tools demands specialised skills in programming languages, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), customer experience design, and AI technologies. As their usage expands, the need for developers specialising in virtual assistants is expected to escalate, with salaries ranging from $50k to $120k annually. Virtual assistants have the potential to revolutionise customer experience by offering personalised support, collecting user feedback, and promoting business growth [8].

4. Machine learning engineer and Data Scientist

The demand for Machine Learning (ML) engineers is growing due to the need for data analysis and data-driven decision-making in companies. ML positions are some of the best paying in the tech industry and can provide a lucrative and fulfilling career path. Job trends indicate a rising demand for data scientists and ML professionals across multiple sectors, with anticipated growth of 22% by 2030 [9]. The roles in ML are diverse, requiring both technical and non-technical skills. High salaries are a common trend, with the average Machine Learning Engineer in the USA earning around $112k annually [10].

machine learning engineer and data scientist as a result of the rapid development of artificial intelligence — Photo: Canva

ChatGPT as a skill

ChatGPT has become a sought-after skill in many job postings [11]. Groupup.ai in Singapore, for instance, is seeking remote workers with experience utilising ChatGPT for research and data analysis. Key tasks include developing research methodologies, analysing data, and communicating findings. Besides creativity and a positive attitude, ideal candidates should be skilled in analysis, communication and natural language processing [12].

Writing effective prompts is critical in using ChatGPT. You can practise the following five elements to improve ChatGPT proficiency[13]:

Crafting effective questions
Exploring different answers to the same question
Evaluating responses and identifying inaccurate results
Detecting bias in the output
Generating new ideas

The future of work

Despite the remarkable advancements of GPT-4 and other AI language models, it's important to recognise that they still have inaccuracies and biases in what they produce. However, as these models continue to improve, concerns arise among notable figures and AI experts about the implications of such rapid development [14]. AI will play a significant role in many future jobs, talent acquisition, and recruitment. Employers will likely prioritise candidates who can effectively use these models to enhance productivity. Therefore, it's wise to start learning and using these language models to strengthen your skillset, ensuring you're well-prepared for a future where AI expertise will be highly valued. The AI race has just begun.