Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the core technologies of the future, so it is not surprising that AI experts earn a lot. In fact, according to ZipRecruiter, their salaries range from $90,000 to $304,500. If you’re thinking about starting a career in this field, you’re probably wondering what the best programming languages to learn for AI are. In this article, we’ll go over the best programming languages for AI.
We’ll cover everything you need to know about which dynamic programming language is best for different tasks like dynamic object creation, probabilistic programming, and graphical representation. We’ll also help you get a clear picture of what artificial intelligence and programming languages are and go over the programming languages used by the different types of AI professionals.
Best Programming Languages to Learn for Artificial Intelligence
- Python
- JavaScript
- Java
- Scala
- R
What Is Artificial Intelligence?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the development of computers with close-to-human intelligence that allows them to carry out tasks without explicit programming through the use of machine learning models. Founded by John McCarthy and his peers, AI aims to make robots and computers capable of completing tasks without human intervention.
What Are Programming Languages?
A programming language is a type of computer language that is used to create instructions and feed them to computers and computer-based devices. Software engineers and developers use programming languages, of which there are five primary categories, to communicate with computers. These categories are scripting, procedural, object oriented, functional, and logic programming languages.
What Programming Languages Do Artificial Intelligence Engineers Use?
AI engineers typically use scripting programming languages. This kind of language provides a major advantage over others for the automation of tasks that usually require human intervention and the writing of learning algorithms. Scripting programming languages are usually interpreted into machine-readable languages that are not compiled.
Which Programming Language Is Best for Artificial Intelligence?
Python
Python is a general-purpose, object oriented, high-level programming language that is most commonly used for scripting small to large-scale projects. On its own, Python has a range of applications across many industries. The simple syntax of Python is easy to understand because it has several words from the English language, making it the preferred language for many engineers.
Python isn’t only possibly the fastest programming language, it’s also user-friendly and has scripting and natural-language-processing capabilities. This popular language has large deep learning libraries of resources full of modules, frameworks, and concepts that speed up AI development. Some must-use Python libraries for machine learning and AI are Pandas, Tensor Flow, SciPy, NumPy, and Keras.
JavaScript
JavaScript might be most commonly known as the language of the web, but this general-purpose programming language also plays a role in artificial intelligence. It is a text-based, multi-paradigm programming language with key features that can be used efficiently for server-side and client-side development of websites, search engines, desktop apps, and mobile apps.
AI engineers use JavaScript to integrate AI software into the World Wide Web. An AI Java application is more intelligent than traditional web applications like search algorithms. If you want to learn JavaScript for artificial intelligence and rapid prototyping, some popular libraries you should take note of are MindJS, Stdlibjs, BrainJS, and ConvNetJS. It also has a solid developer community behind it.
Java
Java is the high-level programming language of choice for many and has been around since 1995. The class-based programming language was designed to have few implementation dependencies making it an ideal choice for data-related development. The Java virtual machine has more cross-platform compatibility than any other programming language, so most developers learn Java regardless of specialization.
For AI development, Java can be used to develop machine learning algorithms, robot systems, neural networks, and even genetic programming. It is scalable, mobile-friendly, and has strong community support. Some great open source libraries for Java you should use during AI development are Java-Ml, Deep Learning for Java, and Apache Spark’s MLib.
Scala
Scala is a functional programming language that also relies on object oriented programming. It is one of the most concise high-level programming languages in the industry and is most popularly used for distributed computing, website and web-based application development, and data processing. This major programming language has a relatively complex syntax, making it extremely flexible.
Scala is, as the name suggests, scalable. It supports concurrency and has a few great artificial intelligence libraries that make it a good option for AI engineers. When you learn Scala for AI, you’ll have access to Scaladex, a database of all Scala libraries, including the ones for artificial intelligence.
R
R is another popular programming language for machine learning that is most popularly used for graphics and statistical computing. The programming language is frequently used by big data analysts and other machine learning experts, like AI engineers. If you are working on complex projects for big data applications, R should be on your list of top programming languages to learn for faster development.
For AI, you can learn to use R for numerical analysis, neural networks, machine learning, and any other task that requires statistical computations. Since R is easy to learn, beginners in artificial intelligence can learn it quickly.
Which Programming Language Should I Learn First for Artificial Intelligence?
Python is the first programming language you should learn if you want to become an AI engineer. After you have mastered Python and its applications in AI development, you can start learning other programming languages. Python is the most crucial programming language to learn for AI developers and most don’t learn any other languages throughout their careers.
Most of these resources are open source, meaning that they are free for anyone to use. Python packages can be installed directly on your computer at little to no cost, and you can find lots of online forums to help you find learning resources. Python bootcamps are a great way to learn the language.
Is it Possible to Choose the ‘Wrong’ Artificial Intelligence Programming Language?
Yes, it is possible to pick the wrong programming language for artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence is a complex and rapidly evolving field. You need to do what you can to make things easier for yourself. By using Python instead of a programming language that isn’t compatible, you will save yourself time and money.
How to Learn Artificial Intelligence?
You can learn artificial intelligence by getting a computer science degree and specializing in artificial intelligence. You can also learn artificial intelligence in a coding bootcamp, teach yourself through online courses, or secure an apprenticeship at a company that deals with artificial intelligence. Each of these offers a different learning style, so pick the one that feels right for you.
Learn Computer Programming
Computer programming is a vital part of artificial intelligence. To work in AI, you must know how to write AI programs. As a beginner, you should start by learning Python. Some great courses for learning computer programming are “Computer Programming for Beginners” by Udemy and “Python for Everybody” by Coursera.
Master Machine Learning
Now that you understand how programming works, you need to understand key concepts of machine learning. Machine learning is the most essential part of artificial intelligence and has to do with the process of creating self-learning machines. You cannot become an artificial intelligence expert without mastering it.
Explore Programming and Machine Learning in Artificial Intelligence
With your fundamental knowledge of programming and machine learning, you can start exploring artificial intelligence. Your existing knowledge of these concepts will make it easier for you to master AI. If you are having difficulty learning on your own, consider attending an artificial intelligence bootcamp online.
Create a Project Portfolio
Your project portfolio is a collection of all your artificial intelligence projects. It shows your prospective clients or employers that you have hands-on experience in artificial intelligence development. You can link your project portfolio to your resume and professional profiles on websites like LinkedIn.
How to Learn Artificial Intelligence: Top Resources
- Udemy. Udemy is one of the most popular online learning platforms for learning artificial intelligence. The website is full of free and premium courses teaching beginner to advanced levels of AI development.
- Coursera. Coursera is a reliable platform for artificial intelligence courses. Most of the Coursera courses are designed by world-class professors. You can also study in certificate programs offered by universities on Coursera.
- The AI Podcast. If you have access to SoundCloud and love to learn by listening, you can benefit from listening to the AI Podcast. During each podcast, you can learn from machine learning, deep learning, and other AI experts from around the globe.
- Books. Reading will always be one of the most effective ways to learn something new. Some great books for artificial intelligence are Artificial Intelligence – A Modern Approach and Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies.
- YouTube. YouTube is great for learning the fundamentals of artificial intelligence because it contains videos and other visual aids that make it easy to follow, all for free. Some great YouTube channels for learning AI are Henry AI Labs, 3Blue1Brown, and Simons Institute.
Ready to Break into Tech?
If you are ready to start your career in tech, learning artificial intelligence is a great step in the right direction. The industry is still in its early stages and there are lots of opportunities to learn and contribute. The fact that artificial intelligence engineers are among the highest-paid workers in the country is another strong motivation to break into the industry.
Best Programming Languages for Artificial Intelligence FAQ
Yes, C++ is good for artificial intelligence. C++ is a flexible programming language based on object oriented principles, meaning it can be used for AI. The syntax of the programming language is not easy to understand, however, making it hard to learn, especially for beginners.
Python, Java, JavaScript, Kotlin, R, PHP, Go, C, Swift, and C# are among the most promising programming languages for the future. However, Python is getting more traction than many other programming languages thanks to its versatility and multiple use cases.
You should learn Python first as its syntax is more beginner-friendly than Java. This is one of the biggest advantages of Python over Java. After you’ve mastered Python, learning Java will be much easier.
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It can take six to eight weeks for a beginner to learn the fundamental principles of Python. For the more advanced aspects of Python, it might take up to six months. A person who is already familiar with programming concepts can learn Python in less time.
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