Overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to open new professional paths for business graduates. As businesses adopt or build AI solutions, they need leaders who can turn AI innovations into practical business results. AI is being adopted widely in sectors like healthcare, technology, logistics/transportation, and consulting, and is expanding into fields like education and wellness.
Whether you are considering organizations that create cutting-edge AI systems or planning to use AI to modernize a traditional business, there is a growing need for professionals who can connect AI technical expertise with strategic and operational priorities. By developing core skills in data analysis, ethics, communication, and project management—and knowing which employers are most active in AI—graduates can make informed choices and build meaningful careers in this expanding field.
The AI Landscape
AI Producers
These organizations center on creating and selling AI models or conducting foundational research.
Examples:
OpenAI
DeepMind (Alphabet)
Anthropic
Google AI
Microsoft
AI-Centric Companies
These businesses incorporate AI into their core products, but do not usually develop the fundamental technology themselves.
Examples:
Scale AI
Cohere
C3.ai
Perplexity.ai
AI Adopters
Large or established organizations that embed AI into existing products, processes, or services across industries.
Examples:
Apple
Salesforce
Palantir
Netflix
Target
JPMorgan Chase
Sample AI-Focused Roles
- AI Product Manager – Guides the development of AI-driven products, managing priorities and aligning technical teams with market requirements.
- AI Strategy Consultant – Advises organizations on integrating AI into their operations.
- AI Ethics and Governance Manager – Develops frameworks to use AI responsibly, addressing regulatory guidelines and stakeholder concerns.
- AI Business Intelligence Analyst – Uses AI-powered analytics to parse large datasets and generate insights for decision-makers.
- AI Venture Capitalist – Evaluates and invests in promising AI startups.
- AI Operations Manager – Oversees the integration of new AI technology into daily business activities.
- AI Marketing Manager – Employs AI for refined customer segmentation, personalization, and predictive analytics.
- Healthcare AI Consultant – Brings AI strategies to healthcare organizations, focusing on clinical insights, operational efficiency, or drug discovery.
- AI Policy Advisor – Works with governments or corporations to shape AI regulations and ensure compliance.
Skills in Demand
Technical and AI-Specific Skills
- Machine Learning Fundamentals – Understanding supervised/unsupervised learning, neural networks, and common algorithms
- Data Science – Knowledge of statistics, probability, and causal inference
- Programming Concepts – Basic understanding of Python, SQL, algorithms and data structures
- MLOps and Development Cycles – Familiarity with model deployment, monitoring, and maintenance
- AI Architecture – Knowledge of different AI model types (LLMs, CNNs, etc.) and their applications
- Cloud Platforms – Understanding of AWS, Azure, or GCP AI services
- AI Ethics and Safety – Knowledge of bias, fairness metrics, and responsible AI frameworks
- Prompt Engineering – Understanding how to effectively work with and optimize LLM outputs
- Model Evaluation – Ability to assess model performance, accuracy, and limitations
Transferable Skills
- Strategic Thinking – Assessing how to redefine business models or enhance efficiency
- Data Analysis – Interpreting large datasets and distilling findings into clear recommendations
- Ethical Decision-Making – Ensuring solutions meet social and regulatory standards
- Project Management – Coordinating teams to complete goals on time and on budget
- Business Intelligence – Knowing how to apply analytical tools to inform business decisions
Companies to Explore
Adaptive + Superintelligence
Lila AI | Jobs – Scientific Superintelligence
Liquid AI | Jobs – Adaptive AI (MIT spinoff)
Business Development/Marketing
Louisa AI | Jobs (Business Relationship Intelligence)
OfferFit | Jobs – AI Decisioning and Market Testing
Cimulate AI | Jobs (CustomerGPT)
Consulting
Deloitte | AI + Data Jobs
Accenture | AI + Analytics Jobs
PricewaterhouseCoopers | Data + Analytics Jobs
EdTech
EdLight (Education Startup)
Energy
National Grid | Jobs (Sample Role: Lead AI & Value Specialist)
Finance
Bain Capital | Jobs
Visa | AI/ML Jobs
Healthcare/Biotech/Pharma
Layer Health | Jobs – Health Systems/AI (MIT spinoff)
Xaira Therapeutics* | Jobs – Drug discovery
Mount Sinai Health Systems | AI/ML jobs
Media/Entertainment
TikTok | AI/ML Jobs
Warner Bros. Discovery | AI Roles
Retail/CPG
Nike | AI/ML Jobs
Tiffany & Co. | AI/ML Jobs
Under Armor | Jobs
Walmart | AI Jobs | Machine Learning Jobs
Tech
Amazon | AI Jobs (Generative AI Strategist; Business Analyst, Alexa AI)
Anthropic* | Jobs – AI Assistant
Apple | Jobs (Generative AI, Machine Learning, Data Platforms)
Axiomatic AI | Jobs (Science/Engineering)
Microsoft | Jobs
CoreWeave* | Jobs – Cloud Computing
Databricks* | Jobs – Data Processing
Meta | Jobs
OpenAI* | Jobs – AI Systems
Patlytics | Jobs (Patent Analytics)
Perplexity AI | Jobs – Search Engine
Scale AI* | Jobs – Data for AI Applications
Stack AI | Jobs (Enterprise AI)
xAI* | Jobs – AI Assistant
Transportation/Automotive
Anduril Industries* | Jobs – Autonomous Military Vehicles
Motive | Jobs – (AI and Fleet Management) PM, AI, Analysts, Mktg
Waymo* | Jobs – Autonomous Vehicles
Wayve* | Jobs – Autonomous Vehicles, UK
*These companies received some of the Largest AI Funding Deals of 2024 per Crunchbase.
AI Tools for Your Job Search
Big Interview
Big Interview – Practice your interviewing skills and get AI feedback to improve your score with mock interviews tailored to your specific major or area of interest. You can use the system to share videos with others for additional feedback!
VMock Resume Optimizer
VMock Resume Optimizer – Create a recruiter-ready resume for a job description. Score your resume against a specific job description to evaluate your current match. Leverage keywords and phases to improve your resume, with bullet-level suggestions.
VMock Aspire for Your LinkedIn Profile
VMock Aspire – Understand how you stack up against your peers for your chosen job function. VMock Aspire evaluates and provides recommendations to improve your profile and recommends relevant SEO keywords to help your resume stand out.
Professional Development
Artificial Intelligence +
Machine Learning Club
The AI & ML Club is the place to learn about and discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, including potential applications in business and other fields.
Attend events, add your resume to the club resume book, and access the club knowledge base.
MIT Action Learning: Generative AI Lab
Work with teams on cutting-edge projects, using Generative AI to drive innovation and solve complex business problems.
MIT Sloan AI Conference
(Winter/Spring)
MIT Sloan AI Conference – Feb 7, 2025
This conference hosts leading experts who discuss AI progress and explore how this technology will impact our lives and work. It’s an opportunity to network with industry leaders and gain valuable knowledge to stay ahead of the curve.
Career + Industry Advice
MIT Sloan Industry Advisors
Yu-Ting Kuo, SM ‘94 – IA, Cloud Services, Entrepreneurship
Bruce Lawler, SM ‘92 – AI/ML, IoT/Mobility Tech
David Segrera, MBA ’11 – AI/L, Digital Health, IoT/Mobility Tech, VC
Andrew Mairena, MBA ’19 – Tech/AI
Ohad Tzur, MBA ’12 – SaaS, Entrepren., Tech, AI, Online Media, and Veterans
CDO Career Advisors and Coaches
Click to see career advisors and coaches for your academic program:
MIT Alumni Advisors Hub
MIT Alumni Advisors Hub: Connect with MIT alumni who have volunteered to be your thought partner.
Search by industry and the type of support you are seeking (including resume reviews and interview practice).
