# Non-Tech Paths to AI Engineering

- Date: 2026-09-30
- Added: 2026-10-01
- Who: AI Singapore (AI research and talent-development organisation) · AI Singapore
- Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX2aPLCZ5QU
- sgai: https://sgai.md/videos/v114/
- License: sgai-authored content (summaries, translations, analysis) is CC BY 4.0 — attribute and link to sgai.md. Verbatim source text (Hansard, speeches, transcripts, policy documents) remains © its original rights holders and is reproduced for reference only. Terms: https://github.com/meltflake/sgai/blob/main/DATA-LICENSE.md

## Why it matters

AIAP uses apprenticeship to prove that people without a computer science background can become AI engineers, with Singapore's talent strategy no longer betting exclusively on prestigious university computer science degrees.

## Summary

Apprentices share their journeys to becoming AI engineers through AIAP, regardless of technical background.

## Full text

© AI Singapore — reproduced for reference only.

So if you don't have a tech degree, you cannot become engineer true or force. Let's hear from apprentices Justin. >> Personally for myself, I think that having a technical degree isn't enough. I think you also need the experience and additional skills. And I think that this is what AIP offers me. So back in my school, I only dabbled with the surface level concepts when it comes to AI. And on top of that, I don't really have the project experience for me to confidently apply for a engineering role. So hence, that's why I applied for AE. I would love to believe that it's false because I don't have a a degree or background in tech. So in preparation for AIAP, I decided I needed to upskill myself in courses related to ML and AI. But now coming into AIAP, I feel that whatever I learned was barely scratching the surface.

During the deep skilling phase, I benefited so much from people like Justin who have that technical background. That peer-to-peer learning in AI is what benefited me. You do not need to have a tech background to excel as an AI engineer. All you need to do is to have a strong passion in this field and through AIP you will train to become excellent engineer.