The New AI Team: 22 Roles You've Never Heard Of

AI jobs boom faster than you can say "chatbot"

Prompt Engineers earn over $350,000, Model Managers control AI lifecycles, and AI Ethicists evaluate moral questions. 67% of companies create new AI roles – a complete transformation of tech teams is underway.

The AI Job Boom: Numbers That Surprise

A year ago, "AI Prompt Engineer" sounded like science fiction. Today it's one of the most sought-after positions in tech. Companies compete for talents that didn't exist until recently.

$350K
Salary for Prompt Engineers
67%
Of companies create new AI roles
59%
Growth in AI jobs in 2024
16,591
New AI positions posted in 2024

87% of advanced AI companies already have dedicated AI teams. The talent landscape is changing rapidly – those who don't act now miss the connection to the AI revolution.

Why Is This Happening Now?

Because AI has finally hit mainstream. Last year, everyone – from cousins to CEOs – discovered ChatGPT and generative AI. Suddenly all companies had an "AI strategy" – and realized their existing teams weren't enough.

Previously: A few Data Scientists and developers were modern. Today that's just the beginning. AI is no longer a solo act – it's a complex team sport requiring specialists in completely new disciplines.

From Data Scientists to Prompt Engineers: Team Evolution

Back then, Data Scientist was celebrated as "sexiest job of the 21st century." Today Data Scientists are still important – but they no longer work alone. Think of a film set: Previously there was only director and actors. Today you need CGI specialists, sound designers, and stunt coordinators.

Classic Roles (Evolved)

Classic
Data Scientist

The lead actor in AI projects. Analyzes data, builds models, delivers predictions – but needs a whole support team today.

Classic
Data Engineer

The silent heroes who keep data findable and clean. Without them, Data Scientists spend half their day cleaning up.

Evolved
ML Engineer

Connects Data Science with software development – brings models into production systems. Fills the gap between lab and reality.

Classic
Software Engineer

Builds the infrastructure around AI – the app, interface, infrastructure. Without them, the model doesn't reach users.

New AI Roles (Emerged Through Generative AI)

New
Prompt Engineer

Formulates the best questions for models like ChatGPT. Sounds simple but is crucial – good prompting ensures reliable results.

New
Knowledge Engineer

Translates expert knowledge into formats AI understands – like knowledge graphs or ontologies. Brings context to data-driven systems.

New
Model Manager

Manages entire model lifecycle – from development to retirement. Comparable to product manager, but for AI.

New
Model Validator

Tests AI models for accuracy, fairness, and reliability. Indispensable in regulated industries like finance or medicine.

New
MLOps Engineer

Automates transition from prototype to product. Ensures models run reliably in practice.

Hybrid
AI Developer

Specialized developers who integrate AI models into applications – e.g., computer vision or generative systems.

Strategic and Governance Roles

AI has grown up – and needs adult leadership. These roles ensure AI is not only functional but also responsibly and strategically deployed.

New
Head of AI

Overall responsible for AI in the company. Similar to CTO – but only for AI. Shows how strategic AI has become.

New
AI Product Manager

Responsible for AI-driven products. Must unite tech, user needs, and business goals – a complex balance.

New
AI Architect

Designs overall structure for AI systems – including infrastructure, data flows, monitoring. Without them, much remains piecemeal.

New
AI Risk & Governance Specialist

Ensures AI systems comply with regulations and ethical standards. Critical for enterprise AI deployment.

New
AI Ethicist

Evaluates moral implications of AI decisions. Prevents bias, discrimination, and unintended consequences.

New
AI Compliance Officer

Navigates regulatory landscape (GDPR, AI Act, industry regulations). Ensures legal AI deployment.

Building Your AI Team

Phase 1: Core Team (Months 1-6)

Start with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, and AI Product Manager. Establish foundations and first use cases.

Phase 2: Specialization (Months 6-12)

Add Prompt Engineers, Model Validators, MLOps Engineers. Scale successful pilots.

Phase 3: Governance (Months 12+)

Implement AI Ethicist, Compliance Officer, Risk Specialists. Ensure responsible AI at scale.

FAQ

What's the highest-paid AI role? +
Prompt Engineers at top companies can earn $350K+. Head of AI and AI Architects also command premium salaries, often exceeding $400K at major tech firms.
Do I need a PhD for AI roles? +
Not necessarily. While research roles often require PhDs, many applied AI positions (Prompt Engineer, AI Product Manager, MLOps) value practical experience and portfolio over formal degrees.
Which AI roles are most in-demand? +
Currently: Prompt Engineers, MLOps Engineers, AI Product Managers, and Model Validators. Demand varies by industry and company maturity.

Further Information