In a recent masterclass hosted by NIAT Tech Decode, Aakriti Aggarwal, a Senior AI Engineer at IBM Watson, offered an in-depth look at what it takes to build a successful career in artificial intelligence. Drawing from her own journey from college to IBM, she covered essential topics including Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), the emerging concept of vibe coding, and the future of AI jobs.
Aggarwal emphasized that starting early is key. She began learning AI in her first year of college, gradually building skills that eventually led her from SAP to IBM Watson. For those aspiring to enter the field, she recommended focusing on fundamentals in machine learning, generative AI, and practical implementation of RAG systems.
The session also touched on vibe coding, a term describing the use of AI tools to generate code from high-level descriptions, which Aggarwal sees as a growing trend that will reshape software development. She advised students to stay adaptable and continuously update their skills as the AI landscape evolves.
With AI careers in high demand, Aggarwal's insights provide a valuable roadmap for newcomers looking to navigate this dynamic field.