Ethical A.I. Roles: What Are They?
There are various positions in ethical artificial intelligence which may cause some confusion. Additionally, it is possible to be more than one position, such as being an A.I. Engineer and A.I. Ethics Advocate. Below, I have taken the time to research and detail the different roles, their nuances, and their similarities for clarity.
An A.I. Engineer:
A.I. engineers develop, train, test algorithms that mimic the human brain; they are responsible for data ingestion to furnish machine-learning models.1
Education Requirements:
A Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, statistics or data science is a minimum requirement. A Master’s degree or PhD can be pursued after obtaining the Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, certificates can be obtained to strengthen core concepts and attract employers.1
Responsibilities:
AI Model Creation
A.I. engineers must know to create AI models, using deep learning, neural networks, and ML algorithms.1
Language Versatility
A.I. engineers must be able to work with Python and other languages.1
AI Knowledge
A.I. engineers must know how to build variety of A.I. applications, such as natural language processing, image recognition, and sentiment analysis.1
Technical Skills and Soft Skills:
A.I. engineers must have programing experience in Python, R, Java and C++. They must also have a strong background in math [statistics, probability, and linear algebra], database management systems [Apache Spark, Cassandra, and MongoDB], and algorithms [GANs, CNNs, and NN]. Additionally they must be critical thinkers, problem solvers, effective communicators, time managers and team players.1
Salary Range:
As of February 27, 2024 in the USA, the average salary of an A.I. engineer is $106,386 annually, while the lowest and highest annual salaries are $44,000 and $173,500 respectively. Additionally, the highest paying cities range from the west coast [California, Oregon, and Washington] to the east coast [New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan].2
Job Outlook:
A.I. engineers have a very positive outlook; A.I. engineers’ job outlook will grow about 23% between 2022 and 2032.3
Career Path:
A.I. engineers find themselves in academia, industry, and the public sector.3 They are responsible for coding algorithms and frameworks in the aforesaid domains.
An A.I. Policy Advisor or Analyst:
A.I. Policy Analysts specialize in understanding the policy and laws that involve A.I. technologies; they typically work with lawyers, advocacy groups, and leaders to create ethical A.I. policies.4
Education Requirements:
A Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or PhD in law, computer science, or public policy would prepare aspiring A.I. policy advisors, giving them the knowledge to succeed.
Responsibilities:
AI Policy Development
A.I. Policy Analysts create policies that range from national security to social equity.4
Technical Advisory
A.I. Policy Analysts provide technical advice on AI bills, laws and regulation.4
A.I. Policy Update
A.I. Policy Analysts remain updated on current trends in AI.4
Technical Skills and Soft Skills:
A.I. Policy Analysts must be able to communicate effectively, have excellent written and verbal communication skills, have deep knowledge of A.I. policy, and have experience in government outreach with strong negotiation skills.4
Salary Range:
The salary range is $100,000 - $120,000 in Washington D.C.; though the position of AI Policy Analysts is relatively new, information on A.I. policy Analysts salary is limited.4
Job Outlook:
A.I. Policy Analysts have a very positive outlook; there will be an increase for them to create policy and legislate law.
Career Path:
A.I. Policy Analysts find themselves in academia, industry, and the public sector. They are responsible for creating and auditing policy on ethical standards of A.I. in the aforesaid domains.
An A.I. Ethics Researcher:
A.I. Ethics Researchers study the ethical implementations, such as algorithmic bias, AI and employment, and the ethical design of autonomous systems.5
Education Requirements:
A Bachelor’s, Master’s and/or PhD in philosophy, computer science, or social science would prepare aspiring A.I. Ethics Researchers.5 Though, a multidisciplinary approach would be beneficial for A.I. Ethics Researchers for a well-rounded profile.
Responsibilities:
Technology Evaluation
A.I. Ethics Researchers evaluate the ethical implication of A.I. technologies, such as machine learning, deep learning and natural language processing.5
Best Practices Development
A.I. Ethics Researchers create a standard for ethical A.I. development and implementation.5
Stakeholder Assurance
A.I. Ethics Researchers assure their stakeholders that A.I. technologies are deployed ethically.5
Research
A.I. Ethics Researchers research current and emerging ethical issues in A.I.5
Tool Creation
A.I. Ethics Researchers create tools and processes to examine the ethical implications of A.I. technologies.5
Education
A.I. Ethics Researchers educate stakeholders of ethical implementations of A.I.5
Assistance
A.I. Ethics Researchers help organizations develop A.I. policies.5
Technical Skills and Soft Skills:
A.I. Ethics Researchers must possess critical-thinking skills and be knowledgeable of ethics, laws, and regulations. Additionally, they must appreciate privacy, fairness, transparency, and safety in the creation and deployment of A.I.5
Salary Range:
A.I. Ethics Researchers, in the USA, can earn an annual salary from $60,000 to more than $140,000. The median annual salary, though, is $95,000. Salary range depends on location, experience, and employer.5
Job Outlook:
A.I. Ethics Researchers have a very positive outlook; As A.I. becomes more integral in society, employers and organizations will look to A.I. Ethics Researchers for guidance on ethical implementations of A.I.
Career Path:
A.I. Ethics Researchers find themselves in academia, industry, and the public sector.5 They are responsible for researching ethical standards of A.I. for the aforesaid domains.
An A.I. Ethics Consultant [One in Many]:
A.I. Ethics Consultants provide tailored advice on best practices, conduct audits on A.I. systems, and help to create ethical AI frameworks for organizations.6 Consultants can be in any role, such as researchers, policy advisors, CAIOs, and other roles in ethical A.I. Thus, A.I. Ethics Consultants are one role within many other roles.
An A.I. Ethics Advocate [Titular]:
A.I. Ethics Advocates are activists who raise awareness about ethical issues associated with A.I. They collaborate with policy makers and stakeholders to promote societal impact of A.I.6 Ethics Advocates overlap with many other roles [researcher, policy advisor, CAIOs], and it is titular, meaning that it is not a role. Though, as the A.I. landscape matures, an A.I. Ethics Advocate may be a paying, salaried role.
A Chief A.I. Officer:
Chief A.I. Officer [CAIO] is a relatively new term, and it was highlighted in the Executive Order 14110, which is a mandate for regulation of A.I. systems. Chief A.I. Officers are senior executives who are responsible for the development, strategy, and implementation of artificial intelligence initiatives in an organization.7
Education Requirements:
The education requirements are similar in that a Bachelor’s degree in computer science, statistics, data science, or information technology;7 however, a Master’s degree or PhD may make a candidate more knowledgeable and competitive in the labor market.
Responsibilities:
AI Strategy Definition
The CAIOs collaborate with the CEO and other C-Suite leaders to define the organization’s AI initiatives.7
Oversee AI Projects
The CAIOs oversee development and implementation of AI projects; they ensure that the projects are reasonable, timely, and economical.7
AI Risk Mitigation
The CAIOs mitigate AI risks and follow AI regulatory measures to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly.7
Relationship Management
The CAIOs build rapport with stakeholders [partners, customers, regulators] to ensure that AI initiatives are meeting their needs.7
Technical Skills and Soft Skills:
CAIOs would need technical [programming] and soft skills [critical thinking, problem solving, diplomacy] to fulfill the role successfully.7 Additionally, since the CAIOs preside over all of the A.I. initiatives, it is essential that the CAIOs are astute and prudent in implementing an A.I. vision for the organization. If not, the organization’s A.I. initiative may not be fulfilled, causing monetary, reputational, and even ethical woes.
Salary Range:
In the USA, Chief A.I. officers make an average of $298,000. Though, lower end CAIOs make 224,000 while higher end CAIOs make $418,000.7
Job Outlook:
Chief A.I. Officers have a very positive outlook; Glass door has reported that 19 CAIOs have participated in their community forums in 2022. However, by the end of 2023, the number rose to 122. Growth will continue into 2024.8
Career Path:
Chief A.I. Officers find themselves in many organizations.8 They are responsible for guiding and implementing ethical standards of A.I. for various organizations.
Footnotes:
1 Siddhesh Shinde, “How to be the Best Fit for an AI Engineer Job Description”, Emeritus, accessed Mar 6, 2024,
https://emeritus.org/blog/ai-engineer-job-description/
2 “Artificial Intelligence Engineer Salary", ZipRecruiter, accessed Mar 6, 2024,
https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Artificial-Intelligence-Engineer-Salary
3 “How Much Do AI Engineers Make? 2024 Salary Guide", Coursera, accessed Mar 6, 2024, https://www.coursera.org/articles/ai-engineer-salary
4 “Artificial Intelligence Policy Specialist", Federation of American Scientists, accessed Mar 6, 2024,
https://fas.org/career/ai-policy-specialist/
5 “Career Guides: AI Ethics Researcher”, Jobzmall, accessed Mar 6, 2024,
https://www.jobzmall.com/careers/ai-ethics-researcher
6 “How to Become a AI Ethics Specialist“, teal, accessed Mar 6, 2024,
https://www.tealhq.com/how-to-become/ai-ethics-specialist
7 Sarah O’Neill, “What is a Chief AI Officer (CAIO)?“,LXA ,accessed Mar 6, 2024,
https://www.lxahub.com/stories/what-is-a-chief-ai-officer
8 “ 5 Reasons Why You Should Hire a Chief AI Officer — and 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t “, Fisher Phillips, accessed Mar 6, 2024,