Using artificial intelligence skillfully: How do you become an AI manager?

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has created a multitude of new professional opportunities, especially for companies and managers in the midst of digital transformation. It can no longer be overlooked: The importance of AI for business and innovation is constantly growing, as it is seen as a key factor for competitiveness and the transformation of business models.

One of these exciting and forward-looking roles is that of the AI manager. AI managers take on the important task of designing AI-supported processes as efficiently as possible and aligning them with strategic corporate goals, whereby the integration of AI into existing company processes plays a central role. They are therefore experts when it comes to AI applications, AI technologies and AI strategies.

But how do you actually become an AI manager? And what skills and knowledge are important for this? In this article, we shed light on the key steps, skills and requirements needed to make a successful start in this exciting field of artificial intelligence.

Why do companies need AI managers? - 5 good reasons

The role of the AI manager is gradually developing into a key role in many companies. AI managers work at the interface of technology, processes and data.

While data scientists and developers work deep into the technical details of algorithms and AI models, AI managers target specialists and managers who need specific expertise in the field of AI in order to meet the increasing demands.

The AI manager acts as a bridge builder, so to speak, by developing a clear AI vision and feasible AI concepts that can be directly integrated into company processes.

Reason #1: AI projects promote and accelerate innovation.

AI is becoming a key driver of innovation, automation and change. Companies that integrate AI concepts into their business processes at an early stage benefit from clear competitive advantages thanks to more efficient processes, reduced workloads for employees and increased productivity through automation.

The AI manager plays a decisive role in this by specifically promoting innovation through the use of AI and managing its implementation within the company, for example by

• Identifying new opportunities: The AI manager analyzes trends and recognizes how new AI technologies can be used to develop innovative products or services.

• Experimental projects: Initiating pilot projects to test new AI use cases and scaling successful approaches.

• Competitive analyses: By constantly monitoring the competition and their use of AI, the AI manager develops strategies to keep their own company competitive.

Reason #2: Professional AI strategies increase a company's profitability.

It is clear that companies can save costs and at the same time open up new sales opportunities through the targeted use of AI. Here are the most important fields of application for AI that we see in our projects:

• Automation of routine tasks: AI systems take over time-consuming activities such as data analysis, reporting or simple customer inquiries, allowing employees to focus on the "really important" tasks.

• Process optimization: AI identifies inefficiencies in business processes and suggests improvements.

• Cost reduction through early warnings: AI models can analyze data in real time and detect anomalies. This prevents errors at an early stage that could otherwise be costly.

In this way, the AI manager makes a decisive contribution to the economic stability and AI maturity of a company.

Reason #3: AI competence also means complying with ethical and legal frameworks.

However, it remains to be said that the introduction of AI in a company not only brings opportunities, but also challenges. Especially in the areas of data protection, ethics and transparency.

With regard to legal requirements such as the EU AI Act, AI skills are becoming increasingly important, as companies must ensure that their employees have the necessary qualifications and training in the field of artificial intelligence.

The AI manager plays a central role here to ensure that AI initiatives do not violate legal requirements such as the AI Regulation (EU Regulation on Artificial Intelligence).

• Data protection: The AI manager ensures that AI systems are GDPR-compliant and that the privacy of customers is respected.

• Fairness and transparency: They check whether the algorithms used are fair and do not make discriminatory decisions.

Reason #4: Lack of AI specialists slows down the development of companies

Studies show: The lack of AI experts is now an obstacle to growth for many companies.

While artificial intelligence offers enormous potential for increasing efficiency, automating processes and promoting innovation, there is often a lack of qualified specialists who can use these technologies in a strategic and technically competent manner.

Without the appropriate know-how, data-driven projects get stuck in the concept phase, AI initiatives fail to be implemented and competitors with greater AI expertise are left behind.

Reason #5: Machine learning (AI) should be strategically established in the company.

The strategic anchoring of artificial intelligence in the company is one of the central tasks of an AI manager. In many organizations, AI is still seen as an experimental or isolated project. However, in order to develop its full potential, it must be part of the overarching corporate strategy, whereby the integration of modern AI technology into strategic planning and corporate processes plays a decisive role.

An AI manager therefore develops a clear, long-term AI strategy that is closely interlinked with existing business and digitalization goals.

What skills does an AI manager need?

To become a successful AI manager, you need a wide range of skills. Above all, acquiring AI skills is crucial to your success in implementing AI initiatives.

In addition, a solid technical foundation is essential to successfully fulfill the role of AI manager. The following points are essential:

Professional requirements for an AI manager:

Technical understanding:

• Fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning: specialist knowledge of algorithms, neural networks, data models, frameworks and AI architectures.

• Data analysis and statistics: As an AI manager, you should be able to analyze large amounts of data (big data) and derive well-founded recommendations for action. Knowledge of tools such as Python, R or SQL as well as experience with data mining, predictive analytics and visualization technologies will help you make data-based decisions.

• AI use cases and applications: In the role of AI manager, you should know and be able to evaluate real-world use cases of natural language processing (NLP), computer vision, predictive maintenance or automated decision making.

Management and leadership skills:

• Project and change management: as an AI expert, you will coordinate the entire process of implementing AI solutions in the company. Change management is particularly important, as the introduction of AI systems is often associated with far-reaching changes in work processes.

• Strategic thinking: An AI manager must develop long-term AI strategies that are in line with the company's goals.

• Decision-making and innovation management: As an AI manager, you need to evaluate AI initiatives and identify exactly those solutions that will give the company a competitive advantage.

An AI manager needs these soft skills:

Soft skills are also important for an AI manager as they often work with different teams as well as stakeholders at different levels. Close collaboration between technical and non-technical teams is crucial to ensure the successful implementation of AI projects. The most important skills include both technical skills and soft skills:

• High willingness to learn: openness to continuous development and self-improvement in the AI field.

• Problem-solving skills: creative approach to challenges and innovation management. Analytical thinking and the ability to develop innovative solutions are important for this.

• Communication skills: Being able to convey complex technical content clearly and comprehensibly - both to technical teams and to non-technical stakeholders.

How can I gain the necessary AI maturity?

The role of AI manager is one of the most sought-after professions of the future. But how do you get started in this pioneering career field? The answer: with the right mix of knowledge, enthusiasm, the right qualifications and solid training.

The path to becoming an AI manager often begins with a solid degree course that provides you with the necessary theoretical foundations and practical use cases. As the role requires both technical know-how and management skills, there are various degree programs that will optimally prepare you for this career. The best options for this are

• (Business) Computer Science: it will give you a deep understanding of the technical aspects of AI, which you will need to understand complex AI systems and communicate with technical teams on an equal footing.

• Business studies with a technical focus: Perfect for those who want to focus more on the management of AI projects and the economic evaluation of AI initiatives.

• AI Engineering/Applied Artificial Intelligence: Both degree programs have a strong focus on real-world use cases and projects, which prepares you optimally for the challenges of everyday working life.

Go to school at the FIDAcademy: We have the right AI training courses!

Our AI certification courses will really kick-start your career as a budding AI manager! Our specialized training courses offer you a practice-oriented opportunity to deepen your knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence and further expand your AI expertise.

Depending on your level of experience and knowledge, the FIDAcademy offers courses on the basics of generative AI or the EU AI Act - our courses prepare you optimally for the challenges as an AI expert.

The Generative AI course and the EU AI Act skills training are aimed at beginners who want to develop a sound understanding of artificial intelligence and its responsible application.

Basic course "Generative AI"

The "Generative AI" foundation course focuses on a practice-oriented introduction to the world of generative AI. The format is designed as live online training, allowing participants to learn in real time, ask questions directly and communicate interactively with the lecturers.

Participants will learn how to formulate effective inputs through targeted prompt engineering and achieve convincing results with the help of modern AI tools.

In addition, possibilities of image generation through AI are presented and best practice methods are taught to make the most of the potential of these technologies. The course shows how to recognize the creative and economic potential of AI and draw inspiration for new applications.

EU AI Act competence training

The EU AI Act skills training course teaches the regulatory and ethical basics of dealing with artificial intelligence. It explains why AI competence will become mandatory in the future and provides an understandable overview of the technical basics of AI models, machine learning and generative AI.

It also highlights the key requirements of the EU AI Act and ethical principles for the responsible use of AI.

AI further training for advanced students

Participants who would like to deepen their knowledge also have the opportunity to attend an advanced course afterwards. This deals with the structure and architecture of large language models (LLMs) and offers a practical online workshop with proof-of-concept prototyping (PoC). If desired, a specialization for the insurance industry can also be selected here.

Start your career as an AI manager with us now

Artificial intelligence is changing the economy, business processes and the way we make decisions. An AI manager is the head and driver of this development. With a sound education, the right training and a clear AI vision, you can make a successful start in this dynamic field.

The demand for qualified specialists in the field of AI is constantly growing - and with our further training courses, you are ideally positioned to actively shape the future of artificial intelligence in your company.