How can you build your AI network as a newcomer to the field?

Building your own AI network as a newcomer to the field involves several steps. Here is a general guide to help you get started: o Educational Foundation: o Learn Programming: o Understand Mathematics: o Online Courses and Tutorials: o Read Research Papers: o Hands-On Projects: o Explore Frameworks and Libraries: o Join Online Communities: o Attend Conferences and Workshops: o Build a Portfolio o Stay Updated Collaborate and Seek Feedback Remember, building expertise in AI is a gradual process, and continuous learning is essential in this dynamic field. Don't hesitate to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them as you progress in your AI journey.

I would say that to discover your AI niche, explore diverse AI areas via online courses, engaging blogs, and insightful books. Actively participate in AI-related forums and social media groups, and follow prominent AI influencers for the latest trends and insights. This journey will help you identify the AI domain that resonates with your interests and strengths. Establishing a niche not only focuses your learning but also streamlines your networking, making it easier to connect with like-minded professionals and opportunities. Your niche becomes a hallmark of your expertise, enabling you to stand out in the expansive world of AI.

What do you do right now? What industry are you currently working in? What do you know or are an expert at? Being in this position allows you to know the processes, the tools, and the pain points. What better niche to own? It allows you to bring credibility too. For example, I have 25 years' expereince in Digital Marketing, I can speak to digital agencies about AI withing that industry because I have been there, I know what they do, I know how to better it, I've made mistaks and I've learnt from them. Look at your current situation, there are a lot of snake oil salesmen who will try to sell to a niche they have never had experience in, and that niche will see it.

There is a lot of diverse reading and influencers out there. Keep across that, but I would also start to learn how to build micro products like GPTs and put them out for review, talk about your challenges in building the product and any successes. Find your niche this way.

AI is a broad field and developing exponentially. Discovering your niche is for sure key but next to that it is key to sharply define your objective you wish to achieve. Is it for improved productivity, creating new futures(/innovations) or for improved user experience? Making your objective specific will help to direct your search your niche but also gives more space to get inspired from other niches trying to solve the same objective. Learning from influencers and other niches

I had somewhat of a head start in AI because I taught university courses on #dataanalytics and multivariate #statistics for many years. When I saw how fast AI developed in 2019, I first took a course at MIT and then watched about 150 videos on YouTube on ML, DL, NLP, etc. I started to follow AI experts on LinkedIn and, at the same time, shifted my LinkedIn contributions from "Marketing & Strategy" to "Strategy & AI". Through the algorithm, I am now getting the best and latest AI news on LinkedIn.

I'm a member of the AI Exchange and can't say enough about what I've learned and the contacts I've made. I'm in active communication with them every day. So much of what and who I know as it relates to AI originated from that community in one way or another.

I learn so much from the AI Communities that I participate. These communities give me colleagues and opportunities. Learning and growing together in a collaborative fashion is the best! I am providing the same for my students and clients.

Joining online AI communities is incredibly helpful for networking. Engage in groups or channels that align with your interests, such as AI Daily or Machine Learning Mastery. These communities provide a wealth of information, insights, and career opportunities. Don't forget to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, share your projects, and seek feedback. This engagement not only broadens your understanding but also increases your visibility and credibility in the AI field. This is something I am working on from a personal front!

LinkedIn serves as a valuable tool for connecting with professionals while seeking mentorship from experienced individuals and provides guidance and insights for personal and professional growth. Building an AI network requires consistent effort and active engagement within the community, ultimately contributing to a solid foundation for career advancement in the field.

I find that the good old fashion networking is invaluable. Talk with people. Be interested in people. Make your interactions not be about you. Do this consistently in person and/or online and you will find your people. In groups, reach out, connect, comment and contribute. That's how it works for me.

I highly encourage attending AI events and meetups - both online and offline - as it is an excellent strategy for networking. Events and meetups offer a chance to absorb knowledge from experts, stay abreast of new trends, and initiate relationships with peers who can become mentors or collaborators. Engage in these gatherings not just as an attendee, but as an active participant, asking questions and sharing insights. This proactive approach will enhance your learning and expand your professional circle within the AI community.

Locally I went to an AI lunch meet up and met some really great people. Globally I will be speaking at conferences and have been speaking at conferences all year. I love to meet other presenters and experts in the audience. I’ve learned so much from these relationships, I’ve also built up a good reputation, so they refer business to me, and I refer business out as appropriate too.

As an AI founder, I've found building my community is easiest at startup and networking events. Recently, I connected with investors, AI enthusiasts, and fellow founders creating impressive AI products. In the fast-paced world of AI, it's crucial to have a community for learning and growth. Keeping up alone is a challenge as AI evolves rapidly.

As a newcomer to AI, leveraging events and meetups is a strategic way to build your network. Attend AI conferences, workshops, and local meetups actively, as these are prime venues for connecting with industry experts, researchers, and peers. When attending these events, engage actively - participate in discussions, ask insightful questions, and share your perspectives. Take advantage of networking sessions, and don't hesitate to introduce yourself and discuss your interests and projects. It’s also beneficial to follow up with new connections post-event, perhaps by connecting on LinkedIn or scheduling a follow-up meeting. Remember, the goal is not just to collect contacts but to build meaningful relationships.

1. Reach out to people who are already excelling in AI (those can be your mentors). 2. Reach out to people that are in a similar space / place as you (those will be your support system). 3. Reach out to people who are interested in the technology but not committed to learning, playing and working with AI the way you are (those will be your prospects / customers).

A good friend of mine once told me that you need 3 people in your life: 1 person whom you can mentor, 1 you can learn from, and 1 you can learn with, together. I am always trying to find people who are more advanced in their careers, in whom I see qualities I would like my life to have in my future. This could be a professional designation or a role, their contributions to a social good, knowledge in a particular area, or something else; someone you can learn from. Conversely, be open to teaching others. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences, and it is important to pass on to others what has been shared with us. Lastly, having someone at your level can push you and inspire you to learn more, be better, and improve.

As a newcomer eager to build your AI network, proactive outreach is vital. Start by identifying AI professionals, thought leaders, and influencers whose work aligns with your interests or goals. Craft personalized messages to these individuals, expressing genuine interest in their work and explaining why a connection would be *mutually* beneficial. Be clear about what you bring to the table, whether it's unique skills, perspectives, or potential collaboration ideas. This is key!

1. Identify your vision, purpose and align it with the problem and solution 2. Find the right community through numerous networking opportunities 3. Always be vocal in putting out your thoughts 4. Start experimenting with the technology to find the right questions and people 5. Finally, collaborate, ideate and innovate

In the digital age, connecting with people who share similar professional values or are industry gurus can be significantly enhanced with effective communication strategies. Using personalized approaches, like tailoring your conversations based on each individual's achievements or interests, can make a substantial difference. Platforms like LinkedIn or industry-specific forums (like specific Reddit subs) are invaluable resources for this purpose. Friendly reminders: always respect their time, treat every conversation as a potential stepping stone, and crucially, don't come across as self-serving. Aim to cultivate authentic relationships, not just momentary connections for personal gain.

When connecting with people, it's not about bombarding people with requests, it's about building genuine connections. After establishing your network, roll up your sleeves for some important aftercare: follow-ups. It's not just a bland "thank you" note - exhibit genuine interest in what they do. Been busy? Send them a brief update. Remember specific promises or action items? Show up and fulfill them. To keep relationships warm, level up your interaction. React to their posts or share cool stuff you think they'd enjoy. Did they get a new job or publish a paper? Break out the digital confetti and give them a shoutout.

Building a robust AI network as a newcomer involves more than just attending events and meetups -- it's about how you follow up and stay in touch afterward! After each event, reach out to the connections you've made with personalized messages referencing specific conversations or topics you discussed. This personalized approach demonstrates genuine interest and helps forge stronger connections. Utilize social media platforms, especially LinkedIn, to stay updated with your new contacts' professional achievements and engage with their content through comments and shares. Consider scheduling virtual coffee chats or follow-up meetings to discuss mutual interests or potential collaborations further!

Embracing the journey in AI networking is not just about making connections, it's about nurturing them. Remember, each person you meet is a chapter in your evolving story. Show gratitude for their time and insight. Follow up on promises, be it sharing your work or introducing them to others. Engage with their content, celebrate their achievements, and extend invitations to events. These interactions are the threads that weave a robust network. By staying engaged, you build trust, credibility, and a community of mutual support. Let's not just connect, but also grow together in this exciting field of AI.

There are so many free online events/summits/webinars on AI as well as live and on-demand Intro to AI classes and training. This is a great way to build your “who to follow” network and connect with others in your field who are in the same place as you. Figuring out your niche is important (marketing, devops, etc) and then diving in is the best way to get started. For marketers and biz generalists, here are some great places to get started: - Marketing AI Institute (free Intro to AI class every 6 weeks plus tons of content, slack community, virtual and in-person events) - Jasper’s “Getting Started with Generative AI” - IBM AI Academy - Google Cloud has a slew of free training There really is no excuse to not to get started today!

Developments in AI are exponentially and will have big implications in business and society. It changes very fast which a has positive implication that you can still step in any moment and come up to speed. But you have to step in, you can not ignore if you want to keep yourself professionally relevant to customers, employers. Start with easy courses provided by LinkedIn/Microsoft , Google and Coursera and find some local AI influencers

In my recommendation if you are new to AI start with identifying first some business problems you think need analysis and decision making. Then explore trainings in AI and experiment on the business problem you identified. Then build pilots and experiment, fail, continue and repeat until your AI project generates decisions. Keep adding to the business rules using multiple AI architectures and continuously learn.

Keep updating your knowledge so that when you reach out to someone or contribute something to a discussion it is relevant and gets noticed.

When building your network, focus on developing genuine relationships rather than just seeking professional gain. This approach leads to more meaningful and lasting connections.