10 AI Jobs for Non-Techies: Work With AI, Not Code

Due to the recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI), businesses in many industries are integrating it into their system and processes. While some may believe that AI jobs are only for those who are especially tech savvy, this is a misconception. You don’t have to work as a software engineer or machine learning engineer to find exciting and lucrative job opportunities within AI.

If you don’t know what Python is and you’ve never heard of open-source code, you can still find engaging work with artificial intelligence. In this article, we’ll cover ten AI jobs that are tailor-made for non-techies. We’ll help you understand exactly how you can search for a new job in data analytics, even if you don’t have tech or programming skills.

Table of contents:

• Finding AI jobs for non-techies
• 10 top non-technical roles in AI
• Skills non-techies can harness for AI jobs
• How to stand out and secure your AI job

Finding AI jobs for non-techies

AI is about more than algorithms and programming. It also involves a broader spectrum of disciplines, including data science, chatbots, natural language processing (NLP), and large language models like ChatGPT.

Even if you lack the hard programming skills we typically think people in this sector need, you could still work as a junior threat hunter and protect cybersecurity networks from hackers. Or, you could serve as an analytics translator whose main responsibility is reviewing data and drawing conclusions that have a real business impact.

These jobs are essential for the development of high-quality AI algorithms and products and don’t require a degree in computer science or significant prior tech experience.

Some of these non-tech AI jobs may even come from major tech companies. Perhaps you can serve as a prompt engineer at OpenAI, or maybe you could find work as a Director of Artificial Intelligence and Ecosystem Readiness at Microsoft. The opportunities are endless, and we’re excited to share more ideas and possibilities in the sections below.

10 top non-technical roles in AI

Let’s take a look at 10 non-technical roles within AI that you could pursue. Under each job, we’ll tell you a little more about the position itself before sharing important details like average salary and projected growth.

1. AI ethicist

AI ethicists ensure ethical considerations are kept in mind throughout the development of AI systems and solutions. They may have some technical expertise, but their understanding of the social and moral implications of AI takes precedence.

Common responsibilities include guiding the development of AI products based on ethical considerations, and ensuring regulations and standards are complied with throughout the implementation process.

AI ethicists make $120,000 per year on average, and demand should continue to increase as more companies begin implementing AI systems into their workflows.

2. Project manager

Project managers oversee AI initiatives to ensure they align with company goals and objectives. The need is expected to continue to grow even more in the coming years, as new developments in AI offer tremendous potential for streamlining and improving project management.

As the desire for AI systems and products keeps growing within various companies and organizations, the complexity of such efforts also increases, which increases the need for skilled project managers.

In general, project managers make an average salary of $95,000 per year, and job openings are increasing by 6% annually. Specifically in the field of AI, some project managers are making well over $100,000 annually.

3. AI researcher (non-technical)

Non-technical AI researchers focus specifically on the societal, economic, and philosophical aspects of AI. This research can improve efficiency, make business predictions, identify risks, and automate repetitive tasks in a way that frees up current employees to focus on other roles.

AI researchers can work in a variety of fields, including health care, marketing, geology, agriculture, and more. As systems continue to evolve and expand, this work should spread to many other industries as well.

Potential earnings in AI research are also high, with some workers averaging between $150,000 and $250,000 each year.

4. AI solutions consultant

AI solutions consultants help companies create and improve various AI components like chatbots, virtual assistants, and other services powered by machine learning.

They are especially skilled at executing projects throughout their entire life cycle and helping with areas such as strategy development, technical assistance, and solution implementation. They also know what talents and tools are necessary to build the most effective AI solutions, and they can oversee an organization’s entire digital transformation and AI implementation.

Consultants can have different specialties, such as evaluation, implementation, strategizing, training, and compliance. Some specialize in tech or cloud consulting, while others offer end-to-end solutions to oversee all AI-based processes.

The average annual salary is around $125,000, with top earners making closer to $200,000 each year.

5. Social media strategist

In today’s tech-driven world, social media strategists are looking for more ways to leverage AI tools to optimize their digital marketing efforts. This approach can include the use of AI to help create content as well as using AI to track data and evaluate the effectiveness of ad campaigns.

There are several tools, such as Lately and Sprout Social, that help social media strategists automatically create posts and reply to messages from followers and customers.

According to the BLS, the median salary for social media strategists is just under $57,000. While lower than some of the other jobs to this point on this list, it’s still around $20,000 higher than the national average.

To prepare for this type of job, you’ll likely need a bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, or a related field.

6. AI policy and regulation specialist

AI policy and regulations specialists focus on understanding the legal and regulatory landscape of AI.

As AI is a rapidly developing field, laws are constantly changing, and issues such as privacy and fairness in AI are currently top of mind for many legislators. AI policy specialists stay current on new or updated laws while drafting policies and ensuring compliance for the organizations they work with.

The average salary as an AI policy and regulations specialist will likely depend on the field or industry. Generally speaking, compliance officers make higher wages when working in the federal government or management positions than what you could expect in state government or intermediary roles. Time will tell how a specialization in AI compliance may impact annual wages.

7. AI sales and marketing specialist

AI sales and marketing specialists understand AI's capabilities, and use their knowledge to market potential AI products and solutions to businesses and consumers.

General familiarity with AI tools will be helpful here, but the key skills to master have more to do with explaining the benefits of AI tools and understanding how to walk clients through the process of implementing them in a way that helps them meet their key business objectives.

The average marketing specialist makes around $38 per hour, or close to $79,000 per year, according to the BLS. Wages are higher for employees working in software and computer system design, so it’s reasonable to expect that an AI sales and marketing specialist could find higher-than-average pay.

8. AI user experience (UX) designer

AI user experience (UX) designers focus on the user interface and experience of AI-driven applications, ensuring they are user-friendly and intuitive. UX designers understand how to maximize the capabilities of AI for improved user interface while incorporating the human element that’s necessary for creating products that are appealing, useful, and enjoyable to use.

The average AI UX designer makes around $107,000 each year. High earners could push $120,000, while even lower earners will still come close to a six-figure annual salary.

9. AI artist

The development of AI has opened a new door of opportunity for artists. Generative AI tools enable artists to pursue new creative expressions and more quickly produce aesthetic and thought-provoking works.

Some artists fully entrust their creative process to AI, while others simply use it as an aid or tool in the creative process. A great example is Anna Ridler, who trains AI using her own paintings and drawings before producing new pictures of tulips.

This is still a relatively new field with not much salary data yet. It’s estimated that an entry-level AI artist can expect to make around $40,000 to $60,000 per year. An experienced AI artist could make around $70,000 to $100,000 per year.

10. AI writer, editor, or fact-checker

AI can help writers and editors be more productive and improve their writing quality. In the same way that a schoolteacher could provide feedback on a writing assignment, AI can enhance the quality of an individual’s writing.

At the same time, because of some of the inherent inaccuracies, missed information, and possible biases in AI output, fact-checking is essential.

The salary for AI writing and editing jobs will vary based on the specific company, client, or topic. Many jobs pay at least $20 per hour, and some pay considerably more. Some writing jobs will pay on a per-word or per-project rate rather than an hourly wage.

Skills non-techies can harness for AI jobs

There are several non-technical skills that can make a difference for somebody looking for a job in AI. These skills are possible to develop, meaning that you aren’t out of luck if you weren’t born or naturally gifted with them. Here are a few that stand out:

• Communication skills. Understanding how to communicate with coworkers, team members, and stakeholders will be an important skill, especially when you’re communicating technical concepts to people who don’t have prior tech knowledge or experience.
• Collaboration skills. If you’re naturally adept at working with a team, collaboration will be a valuable skill for your career in AI. Your productivity will increase, and your entire team will become more efficient.
• Project management skills. Speaking of enhanced productivity, project management skills will enable you to keep your team focused on a shared goal while effectively managing each step in the process of accomplishing your desired end result.
• Problem-solving skills. Being able to quickly and creatively identify solutions to problems as they arise is a valuable skill in any field.
• Organizational skills. Effective organization skills will help you manage your time and resources to stay focused on the work that matters most.

You can develop these skills by seeking feedback from friends and former colleagues, engaging with resources such as books and podcasts, and looking for opportunities to practice and build competency in real-world situations.

How to stand out and secure your AI job

If you’re hoping to land a job in AI, you’ll want to develop a presence on platforms like LinkedIn that will help you connect with potential hiring managers and apply for open positions. Building a portfolio on Upwork will also help you showcase your capabilities to various employers who may be hiring for full-time or freelance work.

You may also consider looking for a job within a startup or emerging tech company. These jobs may be easier to land with limited experience, and they can offer a great opportunity to learn about the industry you’re entering for the first time.

Here are a few other tips for showcasing transferable skills to potential employers:

• Tailor to the job description. Look over the job description and pay attention to specific traits or qualities the employer desires. For example, if you notice they are especially concerned about hiring someone who is highly organized, you can emphasize your organizational skills in your cover letter or resume.
• Share concrete examples. Rather than simply telling a hiring manager or recruiter what your transferable skills are, provide examples or stories about when you’ve used these traits in the past.
• Be creative. You may feel like you’re fighting an uphill battle because of your lack of experience, but with a little flexibility and optimism, you can portray your unique background or perspective as a desirable trait.

Find AI jobs on Upwork

As the field of artificial intelligence continues to grow and expand, there will be numerous jobs coming open. In fact, there are currently more than 150,000 open positions on Upwork right now—many of which are well suited for non-technical people.

If you’re looking for a non-tech job in AI, Upwork is a great place to start. You can narrow your niche and use specific filters and keywords to find the job that best suits your skills and interests.

Find AI work on Upwork today.