Artificial Intelligence (AI) Major: What to Study, Career Opportunities, and Top Universities

Have you ever chatted with a chatbot, received movie recommendations on Netflix, or unlocked your phone using Face ID? All of these are powered by Artificial Intelligence. More than just a trend, AI has become one of the most promising fields of study and career paths for those passionate about technology and eager to make an impact in the digital future. So, what is it like to study AI, and where should you start? Let’s explore in the article below with SNA.

TABLE OF CONTENT

• What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
• What Do You Study in the Artificial Intelligence Major? AI Specializations
• Core Subjects in the Artificial Intelligence Major
• What Skills and Personal Qualities Are Needed to Study AI?
• Curiosity and Creativity
• Ability to Understand Data Deeply
• Perseverance and Resilience
• Fast Learning Ability
• Career Opportunities for AI Graduates
• Universities Offering Artificial Intelligence Programs in Vietnam and Worldwide
• Top AI Universities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi
• Top Universities Worldwide for Artificial Intelligence
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of computer science that focuses on developing computer systems capable of performing intelligent tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making.

Today, AI is widely applied across many industries, such as:

• Healthcare: AI assists in medical image analysis, disease diagnosis, and health trend prediction.
• Finance: AI systems are used for financial data analysis, market forecasting, and fraud detection.
• Education: AI-powered applications support personalized learning experiences.
• Transportation: Self-driving vehicles and intelligent traffic management systems.

Thanks to its ability to learn from data and continuously improve, AI is becoming increasingly powerful and impactful across various sectors.

What Do You Study in the Artificial Intelligence Major? AI Specializations

When pursuing a degree in AI, students first build a strong foundation in computer science before specializing in various AI domains, including:

• Natural Language Processing (NLP): Enables computers to understand and interact with human language, such as chatbots and virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa.
• Computer Vision: Allows machines to analyze and interpret images and videos, with applications in facial recognition, autonomous vehicles, and security systems.
• Machine Learning: Focuses on designing algorithms that enable systems to learn from data and improve over time, commonly used in recommendation systems and predictive analytics.
• Deep Learning: A subset of machine learning that uses neural networks to solve complex problems such as image recognition, speech processing, and game strategies.
• Robotics: Involves designing and developing intelligent robots capable of performing tasks autonomously.

In addition, Data Mining plays a crucial role in AI by extracting valuable insights from large datasets to support analysis, trend prediction, and strategic decision-making.

Core Subjects in the Artificial Intelligence Major

To succeed in AI, students must master several foundational subjects, including:

• Mathematics: Calculus, linear algebra, and statistics to understand the mathematical models behind AI algorithms.
• Programming: Python and C/C++ are widely used for developing AI systems.
• Algorithms and Data Structures: Essential knowledge for building efficient and scalable computing systems.
• Machine Learning and Language Processing: Advanced courses covering machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.

These subjects help students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also develop practical skills to apply AI in real-world scenarios.

What Skills and Personal Qualities Are Needed to Study AI?

AI is a demanding field that requires specific qualities to thrive academically and professionally.

Curiosity and Creativity

AI involves solving complex and often unexplored problems. Curiosity and creativity help students stay motivated and develop innovative solutions.

Ability to Understand Data Deeply

Data is the core of AI. Students must be able to analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and extract meaningful insights to make informed decisions.

Perseverance and Resilience

AI research and development can be challenging. Success often requires patience, persistence, and the ability to learn from failure.

Fast Learning Ability

As AI technologies evolve rapidly, students need to continuously update their knowledge and adapt to emerging trends.

Career Opportunities for AI Graduates

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping industries worldwide, creating vast career opportunities for AI graduates. After graduation, students can pursue roles such as:

• Artificial Intelligence Researcher: Develops new AI models and applies them in real-world contexts.
• Machine Learning Engineer: Builds and deploys machine learning models across industries.
• Big Data Engineer: Processes and analyzes massive datasets to support strategic decision-making.
• NLP Specialist: Develops systems that understand and generate human language.
• AI Architect: Designs AI system architectures and ensures effective integration into products and services.
• Intelligent Robotics Engineer: Develops AI-powered robotic solutions for manufacturing, healthcare, and services.

AI professionals are in high demand not only in tech companies but also in traditional industries such as banking, insurance, healthcare, and manufacturing. In Vietnam, AI engineers can earn from several thousand to tens of thousands of USD per month, depending on experience and role.

Universities Offering Artificial Intelligence Programs in Vietnam and Worldwide

Top AI Universities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi

Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST)

HUST is a leading institution in AI education in Vietnam. Its Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program emphasizes mathematics, statistics, machine learning, deep learning, computer vision, and NLP. Students benefit from experienced faculty, modern laboratories, and international research collaborations.

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)

HCMUT offers strong AI-focused programs within Computer Science and Data Science. The curriculum emphasizes Python programming, data processing, machine learning, IoT, and real-world AI applications, with strong industry partnerships.

FPT University

FPT University is a pioneer in AI education in Vietnam, focusing on hands-on, project-based learning. Students work on real AI applications from their first year and benefit from strong connections with technology companies.

RMIT University Vietnam

RMIT offers an English-taught Bachelor of Information Technology with AI specialization. Students gain exposure to global standards, industry internships, and transfer opportunities to Australia.

University of Engineering and Technology – Vietnam National University (UET)

UET provides a rigorous AI-oriented Computer Science program combining mathematics, programming, machine learning, and data science, supported by strong research opportunities.

Top Universities Worldwide for Artificial Intelligence

• Stanford University (USA) – Home to Stanford AI Lab (SAIL), closely connected to Silicon Valley.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT, USA) – Renowned for interdisciplinary AI research through CSAIL and MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab.
• University of Oxford (UK) – Strong AI programs within Computer Science, with world-class research centers.
• University of Cambridge (UK) – Known for advanced AI research and postgraduate programs.
• Carnegie Mellon University (USA) – The first university to offer a Bachelor’s degree in AI.

Frequently Asked Questions

While AI programs at the high school level are still limited in Vietnam, students can prepare by strengthening math, programming, and data science fundamentals.With its immense growth potential and wide-ranging applications, Artificial Intelligence offers exciting career pathways for future generations. Although challenging, with passion, perseverance, and the right educational guidance at SNA, students can confidently embark on a successful AI journey and shape the future of technology.