The field of artificial intelligence (AI) engineering offers many exciting opportunities for young people with interests in technology and innovation. As the industry demand for AI solutions widens across different industries from education, healthcare, retail and manufacturing, the skills gap can only be met by making AI engineering more accessible and practical for learners with varying academic attainments.
Teaching machines to see like humans, to help humans
In February 2023, the Cagayan de Oro City Technical Vocational Institute hopes to meet this demand by hosting the country’s very first AI Engineering Program in partnership with meldCX, an award-winning AI company that operates a world-renowned team known for creating solutions for huge corporations like Intel, Ernst and Young, Google and Microsoft. meldCX Executive Vice President, Thor Turrecha, a Filipino AI Engineer from Cagayan de Oro heads Skunk Works, meldCX’s local arm that builds enterprise-grade AI software solutions. His team of 80 Filipino tech and AI engineers, data analysts and staff empowers local talent as they solve problems at a global level.
The pilot batch of trainees handpicked by OYDO (The Oro Youth Development Office) go through a technical curriculum spanning 6 months covering AI engineering topics on innovation, solution design, computer science, machine learning, and data analytics. “The goal is to teach students to become industry-ready AI engineers”, shares Turrecha. “We want to help them find a better version of themselves, as they learn new skils that are relevant to today’s market, and become successful middle class citizens”, he continues.
Unconventional Curriculum The AI Engineering program was created and designed to accelerate the learning curve through the use of interactive
learning, while emphasizing real-world applications and providing full access to sophisticated AI tools. Since AI engineering requires access to resources such as datasets, software, and hardware, the course ensures students have access to these resources and encourage them to explore and experiment. As students move along the program, critical thinking development not only focuses on creativity but also highlights ethical considerations in the design of the technology.
The Future of AI Technology in the Industry
Ensuring that students have career success is one of the key deliverables of the program as laid out by CDOC-TVI. AI Engineers abroad could earn anywhere between US$90,000 to $200,000 per year as the shortage of skilled workers increases as the industry growth accelerates, yet even within Asia, the demand for AI Engineers is still huge. Yet, along with the many opportunities it provides, the program also encourages out-of-school youth to develop their own AI-powered products or services—another channel of income for practicing professionals and even learners, allowing them to turn their ideas into reality. By providing access to education and training, developing partnerships with local companies, offering mentorship and networking opportunities, encouraging entrepreneurship, and providing access to technology, we can help more young people access the exciting and growing field of AI engineering.
