The exponential growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has generated the belief that everyone needs postgraduate studies in the area to avoid becoming obsolete. However, the reality is simpler: learning AI is comparable to learning to drive; it is useful to know how to operate the vehicle in daily life, but it is not necessary to become a race car driver or understand the engine's construction.
The correct choice depends on the individual's objective in the job market. Those who only seek to solve daily tasks benefit from digital literacy, which can be acquired through short courses. Formal academic training, such as MBAs and postgraduate degrees, is intended for professionals who need to develop and manage AI systems, or those who wish to boost their career with a certificate valued by recruiters.
Formal education in AI presents two distinct paths. On one side, there are undergraduate and technical postgraduate courses aimed at data scientists, software engineers, and developers. In these programs, the student studies mathematical fundamentals, neural network structure, and the process of creating, training, and optimizing technologies from the beginning.
On the other hand, there are applied MBAs and specializations sought after by managers, lawyers, and specialists in finance and marketing. The purpose of these trainings is to enable the professional to lead the application of technology in the business context, which includes assessing return on investment, ensuring compliance with governance standards, and selecting suppliers in the market.
Market Perception and Value of Training
Beyond conceptual and methodological knowledge, the decision to take a long-term course reflects market vision. In conversation with Olhar Digital, Eduardo Endo, general manager of postgraduate studies at Faculdade Impacta Digital, clarified that while short courses offer specific learning, formal education acts as a catalyst for professional change.
Endo stated that, by attracting the attention of recruiters, a postgraduate degree carries significantly more weight, as it proves not only the acquisition of knowledge but also dedication, commitment, and willingness to evolve professionally.
For professionals in fields such as Law, Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources, the path to learning AI is less complex. This audience does not need to master programming or system architecture to achieve improvements in work productivity. The main focus is digital literacy, aiming to solve practical day-to-day challenges.
Qualification for this profile usually occurs in short-term free courses, with a workload ranging between eight and forty hours. The focus of these classes is demonstrating the use of tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot for work, study, and research purposes. This includes, for example, acquiring basic notions of prompt engineering and defining criteria to verify answers and prevent data leakage.
Course Catalog at Clube Olhar Digital
Currently, Clube Olhar Digital offers a catalog with over 130 courses. Among them, there are trainings available on various areas and tools, including AI. Eduardo Endo adds that although AI has not yet replaced technical knowledge, it already automates many tasks. Therefore, for those who are not in the technical field, the essential thing is to understand the potential of AI and how to apply it to the real problems of their profession.
On the platform, users find courses covering topics beyond AI. The guidance for those not in the IT field is to observe their own routine and identify which tasks can be improved or optimized, as there is always room for improvement. The most effective strategy is not to seek to be a technology specialist, but rather to see it as a complement to enhance the current profession. Subscribers are entitled to a 15% discount on all courses available on the exclusive Clube Olhar Digital platform.