Unlocking the Power of Generative AI: Key Skills for Hiring Top Data Scientists

AI has seen explosive growth in recent months, with countless applications like ChatGPT and Google’s Bard gaining popularity across a range of industries, from healthcare to finance to entertainment. In fact, according to a study published by Gartner, by 2025 generative AI will be responsible for 30% of the discovery of new drugs and materials, up from less than 1% today.

At the heart of this field are data scientists, whose expertise in statistics, machine learning, and deep learning are essential for building generative AI models that create new content, such as images, videos, and text.

However, hiring a data scientist with the necessary skills for generative AI can be challenging, as the field is constantly evolving, with new techniques and tools emerging all the time. Never mind that hiring a data scientist across any industry is difficult. At Zeren we have a deep understanding of this field so to help hiring managers navigate this complex landscape, we’ve put together a list of the key skills that they should look for when hiring data scientists in the field of generative AI.

Strong foundation in statistics and probability

At the core of generative AI is the ability to generate new data that resembles existing data in some way. This requires a deep understanding of statistics and probability, as well as the ability to model complex distributions. Data scientists who are well-versed in these areas are better equipped to design models that can generate realistic data.

Expertise in machine learning

Generative AI is a subfield of machine learning, so it’s essential that data scientists have a solid understanding of the principles and techniques that underpin this field. This includes experience with supervised and unsupervised learning, as well as deep learning techniques such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs).

Experience with generative models

While many machine learning models are designed to make predictions, generative models are specifically designed to create new data that closely resembles existing data. Data scientists with experience in generative models such as variational autoencoders (VAEs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs) are well-positioned to design and implement these models in a wide range of applications.

Familiarity with programming languages and frameworks

Data scientists in the field of generative AI should be proficient in programming languages such as Python and R, as well as machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and PyTorch. Python especially is highly sought after within the field with over 55% of jobs on LinkedIn listing it as a required skill. Additionally, experience with cloud computing platforms such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure can be helpful, as these platforms provide scalable computing resources for running large-scale machine learning models.

Strong communication and collaboration skills

Finally, data scientists in the field of generative AI should have strong communication and collaboration skills, as they will often be working in teams with other data scientists, engineers, and stakeholders. The ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, as well as the ability to work collaboratively with others, are essential for success in this field.

In summary, by focusing on these key skills, hiring managers can build teams of data scientists who are well-equipped to tackle the complex challenges of generative AI, and drive innovation in their respective fields.

While the skills listed above are essential for hiring data scientists in the field of generative AI, finding candidates with this specific expertise can be a challenge. This is when Zeren’s network of candidates can be invaluable. By leveraging Zeren’s extensive network of qualified candidates, hiring managers can more easily identify and attract the best talent for their open positions. Zeren specialises in helping companies find top talent in the data science and AI fields, including those with expertise in generative AI.

Curious to hear more about attracting top data science talent? Don’t hesitate to book an introductory call with me by clicking this link.