Ethical Considerations: AI technology has the potential to impact society in profound ways. Understanding the ethical implications of AI and striving to use this technology responsibly is a key aspect of building a successful career in this field
Artificial Intelligence is now the leading edge of technology, driving unprecedented advancements across sectors. From healthcare to finance, education to environment, the AI industry is witnessing a skyrocketing demand for professionals. However, the path to creating a successful career in AI is multifaceted and constantly evolving. What does it take and what does one need in order to create a highly successful career in AI?
In this interview series, we are talking to successful AI professionals, AI founders, AI CEOs, educators in the field, AI researchers, HR managers in tech companies, and anyone who holds authority in the realm of Artificial Intelligence to inspire and guide those who are eager to embark on this exciting career path.
As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Philip Masiello
Phil Masiello has been an entrepreneur since the age of 27and successfully scaled several consumer brands and technology companies. Phil is the author of several books on entrepreneurship, marketing and Amazon selling. He is the founder of CrunchGrowth revenue acceleration agency.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive in, our readers would like to learn a bit about your origin story. Can you share with us a bit about your childhood and how you grew up?
Born and raised in the Bronx NY. Die hard Yankee and NY Giants fan. Dog lover, Father of 5. Went to college in Miami, Founded my first business at 27. It was a disaster. Picked myself up, went to Graduate school at U MD and obtained an MBA in marketing and finance. Went on to found several other businesses. Host of Think Engage Thrive TV Show on e360tv.com Continues to learn and thrive everyday.
Can you share with us the ‘backstory” of how you decided to pursue a career path in AI?
It has become a necessary tool in the world of marketing, marketing automation and advertising. In order to stay competitive and on the forefront, we have to learn new things and AI is a game changer. In marketing, AI and AI automation is a must have to remain at the forefront of a results driven company for clients.
Can you tell our readers about the most interesting projects you are working on now?
Advertising and marketing automation, content generation, content refinement
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful for who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Henry Nasella whom I worked with for a short period of time, but had a profound impact on how I think about business. He taught me two things. 1 — Always focus on the customer, understand who the customer is and how to market to them. 2 understand the economics of the business you are in.
As with any career path, the AI industry comes with its own set of challenges. Could you elaborate on some of the significant challenges you faced in your AI career and how you managed to overcome them? Some people believe that AI can run on its own. AI is a tool. No different than a hammer for a construction worker. It cannot do anything without the guidance of the user. You overcome this by explaining, demonstrating and communicating.
Ok, let’s now move to the main part of our interview about AI. What are the 3 things that most excite you about the AI industry now? Why?
The possibilities of what can be accomplished by using the tool. The way in which is improving our output for our clients and the ability to use the tool to grow our business with opening up new business opportunities.
What are the 3 things that concern you about the AI industry? Why? What should be done to address and alleviate those concerns?
Fake news creation, fake image creation, fake manipulation
For a young person who would like to eventually make a career in AI, which skills and subjects do they need to learn? Some light programming and a creative mind
As you know, there are not that many women in the AI industry. Can you advise what is needed to engage more women in the AI industry?
On the development side, there may not be a lot of women, but on the use side I see more women. The use side is the creative side and there are more women in the creative channel
Ethical AI development is a pressing concern in the industry. How do you approach the ethical implications of AI, and what steps do you believe individuals and organizations should take to ensure responsible and fair AI practices?
I think there has to be an outside agency to oversee the use. And if a company is using AI in an unethical way, such as fake creative, fake content, then they should be shut down.
Ok, here is the main question of our interview. Can you please share the “Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The AI Industry”?
- Technical Proficiency: Having a deep understanding of AI algorithms and techniques is a must. Consider the case of Alex, a highly skilled programmer who used his expertise in AI to develop a groundbreaking product that transformed the way people interact with technology. His technical proficiency was instrumental in his success.
- Collaboration Skills: The ability to work effectively with others is equally important. A prime example is Project X, where a team of AI professionals with vastly different skillsets and backgrounds collaborated to create an innovative product. Despite their differences, their combined skills and knowledge led to a product that revolutionized its sector.
- Continuous Learning: Staying current with the latest developments in AI is a must. Regularly attending webinars, online courses, and industry events can help you keep your skills sharp and your knowledge up-to-date.
- Problem-Solving Ability: AI professionals often face complex challenges that require innovative solutions. Being able to think outside the box and approach problems from different angles is an essential skill.
- Ethical Considerations: AI technology has the potential to impact society in profound ways. Understanding the ethical implications of AI and striving to use this technology responsibly is a key aspect of building a successful career in this field
Continuous learning and upskilling are vital in a dynamic field like AI. How do you approach ongoing education and stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in the AI industry? What advice do you have for those looking to grow their careers in AI?
What is your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share a story of how that had relevance to your own life?
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Think locally about how to solve problems in your community with housing and job creation. Crime is an economic issue, not a race or class issue.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Crunchgrowth.com, philmasiello.com, Tuesday evenings at 6pm EST on e360tv.com
This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!
Phil Masiello On Five Things You Need To Create A Highly Successful Career In The AI Industry was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.