Innovation Through Intelligence: Rahul’s AI Career Unfolded

Meet Rahul, an AI Engineer whose inspiring journey from a curious learner to a professional innovator offers valuable lessons for anyone aspiring to break into the world of data science and AI. In this blog, we unfold Rahul’s career path, diving into the real-world projects, challenges, and breakthroughs that have defined his success. Whether you're just getting started or looking to pivot into AI, Rahul’s story is the motivation and roadmap you need.

AI & Data Science Career Insights: Q&A with Rahul on His Professional Journey

With the AI software market expected to hit US$467 billion by 2030 at a 25% CAGR (ABI Research), the demand for skilled professionals in AI and Data Science is rapidly rising. In this brief yet insightful Q&A session, Rahul, an experienced AI Engineer and DataMites alumnus, shares his journey from learning the basics to building real-world projects and cracking interviews offering valuable tips for aspiring data professionals.

Q1: Can you tell us about your background and where you're currently working?

I’m currently working remotely from Madhya Pradesh since my wife is employed here. I work entirely from home and I’m currently employed as an AI Engineer at Imbibe Technology Pvt. Ltd., a fintech company. Before that, I worked in the gaming industry.

Q2: When and how did your data science journey begin?

My journey started in 2019 when I enrolled in the Certified Data Science course at DataMites. Mr. Ashok was our trainer and his guidance played a pivotal role in shaping my career. After completing the course in January 2020, I landed my first job offer in February 2020, during the early pandemic phase.

Q3: What was your first job in data science?

I joined a gaming startup called Sizzle as a Data Analyst. The company developed tools to create short highlight reels from gaming videos. My role was to help detect interesting moments from long gameplay, such as 40-minute PUBG matches, and summarize them into 10-minute highlights. That was my entry point into AI.

Q4: How did your career evolve from there?

After two years at Sizzle, I was promoted to Junior AI Engineer and received two salary hikes based on performance. Later, I shifted domains and joined Imbibe Technology Pvt. Ltd., which is focused on financial services. The transition gave me the opportunity to learn and implement AI in a new industry.

Q5: What does your current role as an AI Engineer involve?

I’m currently working for a client in Sweden. My main responsibility is to automate report generation. I built a pipeline that takes raw SQL data and converts it into detailed PowerPoint presentations containing quarterly and annual summaries. I used the T5 model for text summarization. I’m also building tools to help with automated online searches for example, finding CEO profiles for hiring and I'm developing UI interfaces using LLMs like GPT-4.

Q6: Did you have any prior experience before entering data science?

Before enrolling at DataMites, I worked at a telecom company for just four months. I realized it wasn’t what I wanted, so I moved from Delhi to Bangalore in search of better opportunities. That’s when I discovered DataMites and began my data science journey.

Q7: Rahul, what advice would you give to non-coders using tools like ChatGPT for coding?

ChatGPT is a great assistant, but beginners must first understand the structure of code. Often, copying code directly from ChatGPT results in errors. If you don’t understand where the error is or how to fix it, it can be frustrating. So, grasp the basics of programming before heavily relying on AI tools.

Q8: What was your first project as part of the DataMites training program?

My first capstone project was on forecasting using inventory datasets. It took me nearly 20 days to fully understand the dataset and implement the forecasting model. That project helped me master ARIMA, a time series forecasting model, which I also used in a recent job task.

Q9: Did you attend any mock interviews during the course?

Yes, DataMites organized mock interviews. I clearly remember clearing two rounds and being among the final four candidates. However, I didn’t get the offer then because my statistical concepts weren’t very strong at that time.

Q10: Can you describe a recent AI project you worked on?

I built a chatbot system for multiple domains using OpenAI's API. It uses vector databases for document retrieval and responds to user queries based on uploaded company documentation. For instance, a customer can upload a travel-related file, and the bot will generate accurate responses based on the embedded dataset.

Q11: Are you using SQL in your daily work?

Absolutely. I use SQL for data ingestion. For example, in an automated report generation project, I extract data from the database and generate quarterly and annual reports in PPT format using Python.

Q12: What are your future career plans?

I’m currently focused on improving my skill set. I’ve started learning JavaScript because many companies expect AI Engineers to handle both backend and frontend development. I believe building a strong portfolio of full-stack AI solutions will help me progress.

Q13: What advice do you have for beginners in data science?

Start with Python basics it’s essential. Once you’re comfortable, you can explore advanced topics and tools. Also, leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to improve productivity, but always verify the results. Learning how to use LLMs wisely can give you a significant edge.

Key Takeaways from Rahul’s Journey in Artificial Intelligence

From his first steps in data science to building real-world AI solutions, Rahul’s story offers practical lessons and inspiration for aspiring AI professionals.

• Current Role: Rahul works remotely as an AI Engineer at Imbibe Technology Pvt. Ltd., focusing on automating report generation and developing tools using LLMs like GPT-4.
• Career Start: His data science journey began in 2019 after enrolling in a Certified Data Science course at DataMites, which played a crucial role in his career foundation.
• First Job: Rahul’s entry into AI was as a Data Analyst at Sizzle, a gaming startup where he worked on summarizing long gameplay videos using AI.
• Career Growth: He was promoted to Junior AI Engineer at Sizzle, and later transitioned to the fintech domain at Imbibe, expanding his industry experience.
• AI Projects: Automated report generation pipeline using T5 model for text summarization. Developed chatbot systems with OpenAI APIs and vector databases for document-based responses.

Rahul’s journey exemplifies resilience, lifelong learning, and purposeful career growth. For aspiring data scientists and AI engineers, his experience highlights a few essential lessons: master the fundamentals, work on practical, real-world projects, and stay committed to continuous upskilling. Whether you're just starting out or looking to transition, the field of Artificial Intelligence course in Pune offers endless opportunities for those who are ready to put in the effort.

Hyderabad is home to numerous IT giants, research labs, and tech startups, making it a thriving ecosystem for AI innovation. Artificial Intelligence course in Hyderabad is designed to equip learners with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in artificial intelligence. From the basics of machine learning to advanced topics like deep learning and natural language processing (NLP), a well-structured course covers it all.

DataMites is widely recognized as a top-tier AI training institute in India, acknowledged by industry platforms like Analytics India Magazine along with renowned institutions like the IITs and IIMs. The program offers globally respected certifications through IABAC and NASSCOM FutureSkills, boosting learners’ credibility and helping them unlock rewarding opportunities in the growing AI job market.