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Careers in Artificial Intelligence, Industry Insights 2026

Source: My notes from University of Toronto Continuing Studies session “Blueprint Career Services Industry Insights: Careers in AI”. With speakers: Miguel Abascal, Director of Products, BitBooks and Saeid Abolfazli, Global Head of Data Science, Rakuten Kobo

Blueprint Career Services provides free learning, programs, and support towards finding jobs and career development.

Career Paths Stories into Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Section titled “Career Paths Stories into Artificial Intelligence (AI)”

Recruited into a data science job and on the job experience with technical, science, computers, and/or math backgrounds or degrees.

Worked various jobs in retail, management, financial and developed interest in AI.

Usage for AI and reason to get into the industry

Section titled “Usage for AI and reason to get into the industry”

Goal is problem solving and AI is a tool for solutions.

Understand how the tool could be used and issues as explained:

An example issue is unclean data being used by most organizations. Need to improve data quality.

Reasons to get into the industry

Section titled “Reasons to get into the industry”

Advantage of AI is using machines to simulate human capabilities using data and at a large connected scale.

AI likely will affect all parts of society including jobs.

Importance of Communication

Section titled “Importance of Communication”

Once you have technical skills, it is important to have and practice communication skills as person to advance your career and explain proper use of AI and your technical skills. Examples of practice are presentations.

For communication and work in data, remember the audience (who), purpose (why), and outcome (results).

Advice on Jobs

Section titled “Advice on Jobs”

Instead of talking: show proof of work, for example a portfolio on resume, online profile

Start small: look at data, tell a story, for example government open data and organization’s data. For example, start a research project or event and interview/invite relevant people. Complete it and add it to your portfolio and connect with those people.

Networking and coffee chats are more focused than just sending resumes. Provide value to the person you met. Think it is like planting seeds and results come later and not all seeds give fruit.

Looking at Change due to Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Section titled “Looking at Change due to Artificial Intelligence (AI)”

It is opportunity; however, all jobs could be impacted. Good to invest in yourself like soft and business skills.

Mindset change: Embrace technology and ask how you can solve a problem using tools available.