3 Things You Need To Break Into AI Jobs In 2025

Introduction.

AI isn’t just some buzzword anymore. It’s reshaping how businesses run, how people work, and even what kind of jobs are out there.

From tools like ChatGPT to self-driving cars, AI is behind a lot of the stuff we use every day. Because of that, companies everywhere are hiring people who understand AI — and not just tech giants like Google or Microsoft.

The crazy part? You don’t need a PhD in computer science to get one of these jobs. I’ve seen people from all sorts of backgrounds land great roles in AI — marketing folks, project managers, teachers, and more. What they all had in common was a mix of skills, curiosity, and a bit of strategy.

If you’re wondering how to get into AI in 2025, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most searched topics on job sites right now.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the three things you absolutely need if you want to stand out and land an AI job this year — whether you’re just starting or switching careers.

Let’s get into it.

1. Understand the Basics of AI (You Don’t Need to Be a Genius)

First things first — you do need to understand what AI is and how it works, at least on a basic level. But that doesn’t mean spending years in school or getting buried in complex math.

Start with the core ideas:

What is AI? It’s when computers do tasks that normally need human thinking — like understanding language, recognizing images, or making decisions.
What is machine learning (ML)? A part of AI where computers learn from data instead of being told exactly what to do.
What is deep learning? A type of ML that uses artificial “neural networks” to solve really complex problems — like generating text or recognizing faces.

If you can explain these ideas in simple terms, you’re off to a good start. Employers are looking for people who get how AI fits into the big picture — not just coders or engineers.

Resources to learn the basics (free or cheap):

Spending even 5–10 hours going through these will give you a huge edge.

2. Pick a Role That Fits You (AI Isn’t Just for Engineers)

When most people hear “AI job,” they think of someone writing code all day. But the truth is, AI touches almost every part of a business. That means there are plenty of non-technical roles where you can still be part of the AI world.

Here are just a few:

Data Analyst – Makes sense of data to guide AI models. (Needs Excel, SQL, basic Python)
AI Product Manager – Builds products that use AI. (Needs strong communication + basic understanding of AI tools)
Prompt Engineer – Writes prompts that guide AI systems like ChatGPT. (No coding needed!)
AI Ethics Specialist – Helps companies use AI responsibly. (Needs critical thinking and research skills)
Marketing or Content Roles – Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or DALL·E to create better campaigns.

And of course, if you enjoy coding, you can go deeper into roles like:

Machine Learning Engineer
AI Research Assistant
NLP Engineer (Natural Language Processing)

Pro Tip: Go on LinkedIn or job boards and search for “AI” + something you’re already good at. You’ll be surprised by how many options pop up.

3. Build a Small Portfolio That Shows You Know Your Stuff

You don’t need years of experience — but you do need proof that you can work with AI in a real-world way. That’s where a mini portfolio comes in.

Think of it like a digital resume, but way more useful. It can include:

Projects using AI tools (like automating something with ChatGPT)
A blog post explaining AI in simple terms
A LinkedIn post breaking down a news story about AI
A small app or dashboard (if you code)
Case studies, if you’ve used AI at work

Even two or three good examples will make you stand out in a sea of generic resumes.

Tools to help you build your portfolio:

Notion – to organize and showcase your work
GitHub – for code projects
Substack or Medium – for writing/blogs
Canva – for visuals or presentations

If you’re not sure what to build, here are a few ideas:

Use ChatGPT to write a chatbot for customer service
Use DALL·E or Midjourney to make AI-generated marketing images
Analyze Twitter or Reddit data using Python and AI libraries

Make it fun — and keep it short and clear. Employers don’t want a 50-page research paper. Just show you can think and build with AI.

Extra Tips That Make a Big Difference

Follow real people in AI on Twitter or LinkedIn. You’ll stay ahead of trends and hear about jobs early.
Sign up for newsletters like The Batch (by DeepLearning.ai). It’s short and super useful.
Learn to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot in your current job. It shows initiative.
Join communities like AI Exchange or Reddit’s r/Artificial. You’ll learn a lot just by reading.

FAQs

Do I need to know how to code?

Not always. If you want to build models, yes. But for many roles — like AI product manager or prompt engineer — basic tech skills are enough.

How long does it take to break into AI?

If you already have a job and learn on the side, 3–6 months of focused work can be enough to land a junior or transition role.

Do I need a fancy degree?

No. Skills matter more than degrees in AI. A good portfolio can beat a resume full of buzzwords.

Is AI going to take all the jobs?

AI will change jobs, not just replace them. The best way to stay safe? Learn how to work with AI.

Conclusion

AI jobs are growing fast, and there’s never been a better time to jump in. You don’t need to be a coder, and you don’t need to have it all figured out from day one.

If you learn the basics, pick a path that fits you, and build a few real-world examples, you’re already ahead of most people trying to break in.

So, here’s my question for you:

What’s the one small step you can take today to start your journey into AI?