The AI Advantage: 9 Questions with UC Davis AI Instructor Sadie St. Lawrence

Sadie St. Lawrence is a UC Davis AI and data science instructor, CEO, and founder of the nonprofits Human Machine Collaboration Institute and Women in Data, a global community of 70,000 members dedicated to empowering women in their data careers. St. Lawrence has educated over 600,000 students across her courses at UC Davis, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning, gaining recognition as one of DataIQ’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Data (2024) and Dataleum’s 30 Outstanding Women in Data (2023). In the following Q&A, St. Lawrence breaks down her favorite AI tools and explains how your existing skill set has likely already prepared you to succeed with AI. 

Leveraging your existing experience for AI success

AI’s growing prevalence shows it’s for more than just tech professionals. Whether you’re looking to launch a new role or enhance the one you already have, St. Lawrence recommends embracing AI’s versatility. With the right mindset and a willingness to experiment, AI can become a powerful asset to your career and daily life. 

What drew you to this field, and why have you continued working in it?

I was initially drawn to AI because I believed that understanding artificial intelligence could help us better understand human intelligence. Over time, my passion for the field has only deepened. Every day, I’m inspired by the transformative economic opportunities technology and AI provide, as well as the creative possibilities they unlock. It’s a field where curiosity meets innovation, and that combination keeps me coming back for more.

What type of education should those beginning a career in this field consider?

While having a bachelor’s degree in your chosen field is helpful, one of the most exciting aspects of AI is its versatility—it can enhance any existing job or serve as a key differentiator when pursuing new opportunities. I encourage embracing continual learning, following your passions, and using AI as a tool to supercharge your career. With online courses, certifications, and hands-on practice, anyone can develop the skills needed to succeed in this evolving field.

What advice would you give to individuals seeking their first role in this field?

Don’t disregard your past work experience—it’s a valuable asset! Use your existing knowledge as a bridge to transition into this field while building on new skills. For example, if you’ve worked in financial services, leverage your industry expertise to apply for AI-related roles in that sector. Highlight how your understanding of the industry, combined with your new AI skills, uniquely positions you to drive innovation and solve challenges in the space. By blending your previous experience with AI, you create a compelling story for potential employers, showing both expertise and adaptability. Additionally, focus on continuous learning, networking in the field, and showcasing practical applications of your AI skills through projects or certifications.

Anything else someone starting a career path in this field should know?

Making a career change can feel daunting, but if your heart is calling you to pursue this path, it’s a journey worth taking. The field of AI is evolving rapidly, and while the unknown can be intimidating, it’s also full of exciting opportunities for growth, creativity, and impact. Embrace the uncertainty and trust that each step you take will lead you closer to your goals. Stay curious, resilient, and open to learning—those qualities will serve you well in this dynamic and transformative field. Your willingness to take the leap can open doors you never imagined.

Stay curious, resilient, and open to learning.

Taking practical steps toward an AI career 

It can be challenging to know where to begin with AI, but the path forward is filled with practical, actionable steps, and accessible tools and software. The exciting thing about this technology is that you don’t need years of experience to start making an impact. However, building an understanding of concepts like prompt engineering can help you maximize your efficiency. Below, St. Lawrence provides a glimpse into a day in the life of a professional in the field, plus a few tools you can get started with today.

What are some of the main job tasks someone in this field should anticipate performing?

Working with AI in knowledge-based roles primarily involves two key areas: prompt engineering and designing systems and workflows. Prompt engineering is about creatively interacting with AI tools to generate desired outcomes, while setting up systems and workflows ensures those tools are integrated effectively into daily tasks. It’s a dynamic combination of creative thinking to explore new possibilities and systems thinking to streamline processes and maximize efficiency.

What tools should someone in this field plan to master in order to be successful in their career?

To excel in the AI field, it's essential to become proficient with tools that support creativity, problem-solving, and productivity. Popular AI tools include:

• ChatGPT and Claude: These generative AI models are ideal for brainstorming, drafting content, and problem-solving with text-based inputs.

• MidJourney: A powerful tool for creating visually stunning AI-generated images, useful in design, marketing, and creative projects.

• Perplexity: A research and knowledge discovery tool that helps users efficiently find and summarize complex information.

Mastering these tools allows individuals to innovate, streamline workflows, and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field. Additionally, familiarity with programming languages like Python and frameworks such as TensorFlow or PyTorch is valuable for those working on building AI models.

What are some of this field’s most used skills?

Some of the most important skills in this field include critical thinking—the ability to break down complex problems into manageable parts and determine the best approach for solving them. For those looking to build AI models, technical skills like Python programming, linear algebra, and machine learning engineering are essential. However, transferable skills such as effective communication, creativity, adaptability, and project management also play a crucial role in this field. These skills help bridge the gap between technical teams and stakeholders, ensuring AI solutions align with real-world needs.

The future of AI: Why this journey is worth it

For Sadie St. Lawrence, one of the most exciting aspects of AI is the way it opens up the playing field to anyone with a vision. The accessibility of AI tools has created endless opportunities for people of all backgrounds and technical skill levels to tackle complex problems with a thought partner at their fingertips. 

What excites you the most about the future of this field?

What excites me the most is the unprecedented ability AI provides to easily create new products, services, and even entire companies. AI lowers the barriers to innovation, enabling individuals and teams to bring their ideas to life faster and more efficiently than ever before. This democratization of creativity and entrepreneurship opens up endless possibilities for solving complex problems and shaping a better future. 

What are some ways individuals can continue learning and growing in this field?

One of the best ways to grow in the AI field is to join a community. Engaging with others who share your interests allows you to learn from their experiences, stay updated on the latest advancements, and gain inspiration for your own projects. Communities also provide a platform to share your work, get feedback, and refine your skills. Additionally, take advantage of online courses, attend industry events or conferences, and participate in hackathons or datathons to apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios. Reading research papers, exploring open-source projects, and following thought leaders in AI can also help you stay ahead. The key is to remain curious, stay connected, and continuously challenge yourself with new ideas and projects.

Keep learning with Sadie St. Lawrence on Coursera

You can explore different ways to apply AI in your daily work and empower yourself with the knowledge of how it all works with the beginner-friendly online course, AI for Knowledge Workers. You’ll gain familiarity with the relationships between AI, machine learning, and deep learning and explore critical challenges to inform your use of AI, like bias and data privacy.