Are AI Bootcamps Worth It?

A comprehensive guide to the value of AI bootcamps

Bootcamps are often considered one of the best ways to learn a new skill, regardless of what that skill may be. They are hands-on and immersive and typically provide students with ample resources to help them succeed. If you have ever considered learning artificial intelligence, a bootcamp may be the best option. But you most likely have questions about whether a bootcamp is going to be worth it. Many believe that a college degree is the only way to obtain a job in artificial intelligence, but that is far from the truth. Depending on your goals, preferences, and learning needs a bootcamp can be the most worthwhile endeavor you embark on to become an artificial intelligence professional. Training centers, course providers, and even colleges offer bootcamps all across the country, both in-person and live online, to help students achieve their goals and work in an artificial intelligence-related field. 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a branch of computer science that refers to the creation of automated machines. In other words, artificial intelligence is a computer that can mimic human behavior, thought processes, and language, and offer up other skills such as image creation. The machine essentially learns as it continues to be in use and becomes more advanced as it continues to complete tasks, analyze data, monitor trends, or solve problems. Artificial intelligence can be a wide variety of tools and technologies, including everything from machine learning models that analyze data to neural networks that operate similarly to the human brain. Many use artificial intelligence to help make more informed decisions and solve complex problems. It can also be used for customer service, project management, or marketing purposes. In addition to the many professional reasons, there are numerous personal reasons to use artificial intelligence. This complex, ever-growing field is worth exploring and paying attention to as our society’s reliance on artificial intelligence continues to rise.

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  • In NYC or Online
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  • Small Class Sizes
  • 1-on-1 Bonus Training

Named a Top Bootcamp by Forbes, Fortune & Time Out

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What Can You Do With Artificial Intelligence Skills?

With proper artificial intelligence skills, you can start a lucrative and fulfilling career in all kinds of industries. You can use your advanced technological and creative skills to become a marketing professional or create machine learning models that can predict consumer behavior. Artificial intelligence can also be used to automate data analysis and speed up the decision-making process. In the business realm, artificial intelligence skills can enable you to optimize supply chain operations or implement new and effective customer service options for consumers. Additionally, you can employ your artificial intelligence skills to secure financial transactions, build secure platforms, and maintain human resource data effectively.

You can also find artificial intelligence in the healthcare industry. It’s often used to diagnose diseases, develop treatment plans, and analyze medical data for various reasons. With the right tools, artificial intelligence can help a community keep illnesses under control by predicting outcomes and determining what the next best step is to control the spread of disease. You can also use your keen artificial intelligence skills for research purposes. On the opposite end of the spectrum, you can put your artificial intelligence training towards a more creative path, such as musical composition or video production. There are virtually endless ways to utilize artificial intelligence skills in the workplace, but it’s also useful for personal reasons, including anything from scheduling, budgeting, meal planning, and organizing personal files.

Why Learn Artificial Intelligence in a Bootcamp?

Enrolling in a bootcamp is one of the most immersive ways to learn any new skill. Bootcamps are designed to give you adequate information and skills to start a new career or advance in your current job position. They provide intense, hands-on training that you will not likely receive from an on-demand class or a free learning option. Plus, they are often relatively short in comparison to other learning methods, such as university programs. This means you can gain practical, realistic skills in a short timeframe and acquire the necessary experience that can easily take you from the classroom to the workplace in no time. Overall, bootcamps equip you with the tools, skills, and learning environment you need to succeed. Many bootcamps are also offered in-person or live online as well as full-time and part-time, so you can fit them easily into almost any schedule. For a skill like artificial intelligence, which is rapidly evolving, a bootcamp is an ideal option as it allows you to follow industry standards and learn the most recent information.

Bootcamps Compared to College

Many who choose to pursue an education in artificial intelligence question whether a university program or a bootcamp would be more advantageous. In truth, both are valid options that will lead to great success. Degree programs cover more than just artificial intelligence and often dive into related subjects, different tools, and theoretical concepts. A degree can come in numerous forms, but the most common are a Bachelor’s or Master’s, which take roughly four and six years to complete, respectively. Although there is a lot to learn and many skills to gain within this timeframe, dedicating years and years to studying a new skill may not be possible for everyone, particularly those currently employed or with families to care for. The programs are in-depth, hands-on, and typically rather intense. The stakes are higher because the cost is much higher than a bootcamp, but the outcome is often rewarding. 

However, most universities do not offer artificial intelligence as a stand-alone degree. Most have to major in another field such as computer science and ultimately choose to specialize in artificial intelligence. If you are not interested in learning different skills and only want to focus on artificial intelligence, this can be a deterrent. In fact, there are a few considerable roadblocks associated with degree programs that make it virtually impossible for some to attend. As previously stated, university programs are lengthy and fairly costly. Most universities have tuition rates ranging in the thousands to tens of thousands each semester. Even with financial aid, scholarships, and loans, this can be a huge factor in why a person would opt out of university training. Additionally, there are other costs to consider, such as the materials needed for each class, parking passes, and departmental fees. Although universities provide students with ample resources, such as learning centers, career assistance, and advising, it’s up to the individual to weigh the cost-to-benefit ratio.

Bootcamps bridge the gap between professional skill development and convenience. A bootcamp is considered a more flexible, cost-effective way to learn new skills and build a career for yourself. Each bootcamp differs, but most foster an immersive learning environment that values professional development. This means bootcamps typically avoid discussing theory and history and instead focus on providing students with ways to practically apply their skills. Plus, a bootcamp is far less time-consuming and costly. For reference, a bootcamp at Noble Desktop is generally a few thousand dollars and will last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. Most training providers also offer payment plans or financing options in addition to providing the students with course materials, limited licenses, and computer labs, which mitigates the financial burden tremendously.

Similar to a university program, bootcamps offer in-person and live online training for full-time or part-time enrollment. Most training centers also offer students ample resources to help them succeed. For instance, students can often access bonus training and supplemental materials, such as workbooks, handouts, and class recordings. Additionally, some training providers allow students to retake the bootcamp at no additional cost. While there are benefits and drawbacks to every educational format, you will typically find that bootcamps are relatively advantageous.

Bootcamps Compared to Self-Paced Courses

Self-paced courses are useful for certain situations and people. Self-paced, or on-demand classes, are asynchronous and require students to teach themselves the material. On-demand classes are easily accessible and relatively low-cost, which is why they seem so appealing. They can be relatively useful for someone who has previously acquired skills and wants to refresh their memory or upskill. Additionally, someone who just wants to gain a basic understanding of artificial intelligence for personal reasons as opposed to professional reasons would benefit from this method as well.

However, on-demand classes are not particularly useful for a total beginner who wants to become a professional. In truth, on-demand classes are not suitable for professional development because they lack guidance and feedback from an instructor. Without an instructor, it can be difficult to know whether you are on the right path. You could easily make mistakes or get stuck on a concept and have to take additional time out of your day to research troubleshooting techniques and answers to complex questions. In addition, this learning method requires you to be extremely dedicated and motivated since there are no instructors or peers to help make the process easier. Still, because these classes are so easily accessible and cost-effective, they can be useful for certain situations.

If you have monetary limitations or are learning for a low-stakes reason, on-demand classes are worth considering. However, if you know that you want to become a professional, you will need a more immersive experience such as a bootcamp. A bootcamp will be better suited since they are taught by an expert in the field who can offer feedback and support throughout challenging concepts. In addition, there are more interactive experiences between the students and the material, which helps with learning retention. While there is a time and a place for on-demand classes, it is important to weigh your options and consider what your goals and learning needs are before choosing.

Bootcamps Compared to Free Training Options

Free training opportunities also exist and are a valuable addition to any learning experience. You can explore a local library or career center to find books, brochures, and information on job positions in the area related to artificial intelligence. However, there are also online resources that you can easily explore, such as video tutorials on YouTube and TikTok or articles on websites. In addition, many training centers have resources on their websites. For example, Noble Desktop has numerous free seminars that provide more insight into software, tools, and subjects. These are free, pre-recorded lectures that are an ideal way to lay a foundation for new, more advanced skills to be built.

Of course, a free resource is purely supplemental and cannot be considered enough to provide a full, professional-grade education. Similar to an on-demand class, there are no opportunities for interaction among classmates or an instructor. Free resources can make it more challenging to retain the information due to this lack of interaction and support. While you can find many free resources from reputable websites and organizations, there are many sources out there that have outdated information or perhaps inaccurate information. When you are using a free resource, you have to do the extra work to ensure that you are using something credible and correct.

Still, free resources are worth using. Professionals and novices alike can use free resources to help them brush up on their skills or acquire new ones. Free resources are particularly useful as a supplement to another learning method, such as a bootcamp. For example, most bootcamps focus on practical skills. If you are enrolled in a bootcamp, you will gain ample real-world skills, but you may want to learn a little more about the theory and history of artificial intelligence. Free resources can help you do this and feel like you’ve gained a more well-rounded sense of what artificial intelligence is and how it can be used.

Learn Artificial Intelligence Skills with Noble Desktop

Noble Desktop provides a range of classes designed to equip students with the necessary skills to enter the field of their choice. For instance, the Generative AI Certificate is an intensive course that spans 78 hours in total. Students in this class will learn skills for using artificial intelligence in fields such as data analytics, marketing, graphic design, video production, and motion graphics. The course discusses ways to improve workplace operations with artificial intelligence and gives students hands-on experience using different tools and software, such as Excel and Adobe Firefly. The instructor will provide students with ample guidance by facilitating classroom discussions and reviewing real case studies so everyone leaves feeling equipped to use their skills in their desired workplace.

Likewise, the AI for Business Bootcamp at Noble Desktop is a detailed 12-hour course that explores artificial intelligence’s many uses in a business setting. Specifically, students will use ChatGPT to their advantage, learn ways to automate wearisome tasks, analyze data, and manage a project’s schedule and budget. Through various case studies, real-life examples, and hands-on, immersive projects, students will gain relevant and practical experience with artificial intelligence and learn how to optimize their business strategies, practices, and day-to-day operations. By the end of the bootcamp, students will feel confident integrating artificial intelligence into their businesses.

If you are seeking artificial intelligence training for your marketing career, you can enroll in the AI for Marketing course at Noble Desktop. This is an 18-hour course that goes in full depth about the various ways artificial intelligence can be used for marketing purposes. Specifically, students will learn to use artificial intelligence platforms like ChatGPT, IBM Watson, and Salesforce. The instructor will guide students through the content creation process and explain how artificial intelligence is used for targeted advertising. There are also discussions of artificial intelligence and its use of data analysis for social media and marketing campaigns. Overall, the instructor will assist students with integrating artificial intelligence into all kinds of marketing techniques, from SEO and SEM to virtual assistants and chatbots.

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