As the use of AI-related is attracting attention, the opportunities to see AI topics on TV are increasing. Many people may have started to want to acquire AI skills after seeing it.
For such people, it is recommended to acquire AI-related qualifications.
If you get a qualification related to AI, you will be able to acquire knowledge about AI and increase your market value, so you can expand your options in the future. However, there are many types of qualifications related to AI, and many people may not know which one to get.
Therefore, in this article, we will introduce in detail about “AI-related qualifications”, such as recommended qualifications and benefits of obtaining qualifications.
Table of Contents
- Benefits of obtaining AI-related qualifications
- Acquire comprehensive knowledge
- Be proof of one’s ability
- Participate in communities related to AI
- General question range
- AI certification operated by JDLA
- G test
- E-qualification
- Other AI qualifications
- Python Engineer Certified Data Analysis Exam
- Image processing engineer certification
- AI implementation test
- Database Specialist Examination (Advanced Information Engineer Examination)
- AWS Specialty Certification
- GCP Professional Data Engineer
- Qualifications related to the basics of AI
- IT passport
- Basic Information Engineer Examination
- Applied Information Engineer Examination
- Statistical test
- Specially recommended qualifications for each occupation
- AI engineer
- Data scientist
- 2022 Qualifying Exam Schedule
- Summary
Benefits of obtaining AI-related qualifications
Before going into the specifics of AI qualifications, I will first introduce the benefits of obtaining AI qualifications. It is important to understand the merits in order to study for AI qualification with a clear goal.
Acquire comprehensive knowledge
I think that there are many people who want to study AI but do not know how to proceed with their study. In such a case, “studying for qualifications” is useful.
For example, if you want to become an AI engineer, you can find the path to study by paying attention to the “E qualification” operated by the Japan Deep Learning Association (JDLA).
The E qualification is a qualification given to “human resources who understand the theory of deep learning and have the ability to select and implement appropriate methods”. You will find that the E qualification helps you learn the skills needed for an AI engineer.
So what should we do to acquire this skill? The important thing is the syllabus.
Studying the syllabus of the certification exam and the contents of the book that covers the subject is the shortest route to grow into a person suitable for conferring the certification. This kind of systematic study is much more efficient than random study and allows you to acquire comprehensive knowledge.
Even if you are interested in other AI industry occupations, there are suitable qualifications just like AI engineers, and by studying for those qualifications, you can study efficiently and acquire comprehensive knowledge.
Be proof of one’s ability
Qualifications serve as proof of competence when looking for a job or changing jobs. For example, if you pass the E qualification, JDLA will send you a “Passed Certification Logo” by email, which you can print on your business card.
Even in other cases, if you have qualifications, you will be able to move forward with a job change or a job.
Also, just as national qualifications are sometimes treated as criteria for pay raises and promotions within the workplace, qualifications may also support careers within the workplace.
Participate in communities related to AI
It’s also important to join the AI-themed community and keep up with the latest information . For example, the Japan Deep Learning Association operates the Community of Deep Learning Evangelists (CDLE), a community of qualified candidates.
This is a mutual support community that creates a place for successful applicants to interact and exchange information and utilize deep learning in actual business scenes, allowing them to deepen their knowledge even after passing the exam.
General question range
Next, I will introduce questions that are covered in general AI-related exams. Of course, not all qualifications fit into this scope.
Some qualifications require a wide range of extensive knowledge, while others require fairly specialized knowledge with a narrow range of questions. The five main questions are:
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Machine learning / deep learning
Depending on the qualification, how difficult the content will be is different, but it is essential to understand AI technology and methods in order to obtain an AI qualification.
Machine learning and deep learning have a considerable number of representative methods, so you will learn exhaustively.
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Database
Since AI deals with huge groups of data ( big data ), studying the database itself is unavoidable when studying AI.
It is necessary to study not only AI methods, but also how to handle data and the field of data science using AI.
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Math
Mathematics knowledge beyond high school mathematics is the main focus, but understanding AI from a mathematics perspective is essential to understanding the applied fields of AI. The exam tests a theoretical range of comprehension and computational problems.
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History
Currently, it is said that we are in the third AI boom in the history of AI. You may be asked to understand the history of AI, such as the mechanism of old AI, historically important AI, and why the old AI boom came to an end.
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Law and ethics
As knowledge related to AI, there are qualifications that ask about laws and ethics related to AI. It’s important to keep your eye on current affairs and controversies, as they may be asked about current topics.
AI certification operated by JDLA
JDLA (Japan Deep Learning Association) operates two certifications, the “G Test” and the “E Qualification”. The number of applicants for these qualifications has increased rapidly in recent years, and they have become one of the major IT qualifications in society.
G test
The G-test is a test established for the purpose of developing human resources who can use deep learning, and not only knowledge related to machine learning and deep learning, but also a wide range of knowledge such as history, law, and ethics.
From engineers to those who use AI in business, and those who have recently become interested in AI, we take the exam.
| Held frequency | 3 times a year |
| Exam fee |
|
| Overview | There are about 220 questions, and the pass rate is about 60% to 70%. |
E-qualification
The E qualification is given to human resources who understand the theory of deep learning and have the ability to implement it.
Please note that you must have completed a program accredited by the association within the past two years before the exam date.
| Held frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam fee |
|
| Overview | There are about 100 questions, and the pass rate is about 60% to 70%. |
Other AI qualifications
There are many AI-related qualifications other than the qualifications operated by JDLA. here,
- Python Engineer Certified Data Analysis Exam
- Image processing engineer certification
- AI implementation test
- Database Specialist Examination (Advanced Information Engineer Examination)
- AWS Specialty Certification
- GCP Professional Data Engineer
Introducing the six qualifications of
Python Engineer Certified Data Analysis Exam
The Python Engineer Development Promotion Association has operated the “Python3 Engineer Certification Basic Examination” so far . In addition to that, there is a Python Engineer “Data Analysis Exam”.
It is no exaggeration to say that Python is an essential language for AI development. As the AI/machine learning field grows, Python engineering skills are also in increasing demand.
| Held frequency | all year |
| Exam fee |
|
| Overview | Passed 40 multiple-choice questions with a correct answer rate of 70% |
Image processing engineer certification
As the name suggests, the Image Processing Engineer Certification is a certification that specializes in image processing. There are two types of exams: Basic and Expert.
Recommended for image processing engineers and researchers. In particular, experts are required to have more specialized knowledge, so it can be said that the difficulty is quite high.
| Held frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam fee |
|
| Overview | The pass rate is about 60% for Basic and about 30% for Expert. |
AI implementation test
We certify mathematics that can express AI and programming skills that can be implemented. The degree of difficulty is about the same as or lower than the JDLA exam (G test / E qualification), and it specializes in AI-related programming and mathematics knowledge problems.
There are three types: Class B for those who plan using AI, Class A for implementation that is slightly more difficult than Class B, and Class S for practical applications such as natural language processing and model implementation.
| Held frequency | as needed |
| Exam fee |
|
| Overview | The passing rate of A grade is about 75%, and it is recommended for JDLA exam preparation because it covers the exam range. |
Database Specialist Examination (Advanced Information Engineer Examination)
The database specialist examination is a category of the advanced information engineer examination administered by the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA). It is a national qualification certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and corresponds to skill level 4 (highest difficulty) of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry’s index called IT Skill Standard (ITSS).
The database specialist exam is extremely difficult because it requires advanced skills to manage and operate huge data groups, analyze them, and provide them .
| Held frequency | once a year |
| Exam fee | 5,700 yen (tax included) |
| Overview | Pass rate is 10-15% |
AWS Specialty Certification
The AWS certification exam is a test that measures technical ability through “AWS”, a cloud computing service provided by Amazon. These include expertise certifications in machine learning, big data, and data analytics.
| Exam fee | 30,000 yen (excluding tax) |
| Overview | Must be familiar with AWS services |
GCP Professional Data Engineer
GCP Professional Data Engineer is a Google Cloud Platform exam that evaluates your data processing systems and machine learning abilities. A minimum of 3 years of industry experience is recommended.
| Exam fee | $200 |
| Overview | Must be familiar with GCP services |
Qualifications related to the basics of AI
I think that many of the qualifications introduced above were very difficult, such as those that required a very high level of knowledge. Therefore, the following are qualifications that are relatively easy to handle basic knowledge.
The four qualifications related to the basics of AI introduced this time are as follows.
- IT passport
- Basic Information Engineer Examination
- Applied Information Engineer Examination
- Statistical test
I will explain each.
IT passport
The IT Passport is a national exam that measures your ability in information technology. It is operated by a corporation under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Equivalent to skill level 1 in the IT skill standard.
| Held frequency | as needed |
| Exam fee | 5,700 yen (tax included) |
| Overview | The number of questions is less than 100, and the pass rate is about 50%. |
Basic Information Engineer Examination
The Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination is a national exam that measures the ability of information technology. Equivalent to skill level 2 in the IT skill standard.
It is a historical test that has been held since 1969, and around 70,000 people take the test each time.
| Held frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam fee | 5,700 yen (tax included) |
| Overview | Pass rate is less than 30% |
Applied Information Engineer Examination
The Applied Information Technology Engineer Examination has a wider range of questions than the Basic Information Technology Engineer Examination and can be said to be more difficult. Equivalent to skill level 3 in the IT skill standard.
The Advanced Information Engineer Examination mentioned above is a higher level of the Applied Information Engineer Examination.
| Held frequency | Twice a year |
| Exam fee | 5,700 yen (tax included) |
| Overview | Pass rate is about 20%, programming is imposed in the afternoon (not required) |
Statistical test
The statistical test is graded from grade 4 to grade 1, and you can test your statistical skills according to the grade.
Especially if you want to think about AI from a statistics perspective, you should try it.
| Held frequency | 1-2 times a year |
| Exam fee | 3,000 yen to 6,000 yen (tax included) |
| Overview | Acquire the ability to understand AI from a mathematical perspective |
Specially recommended qualifications for each occupation
As we have seen so far, we have found that AI-related qualifications have various contents and degrees of difficulty.
As a result, the qualifications required for each job are different. Therefore, this time, we will introduce the recommended qualifications for AI engineers, data scientists and those who are aiming for such occupations.
AI engineer
The six main qualifications recommended for AI engineers are as follows.
- G test
- E-qualification
- Image processing engineer certification
- Python Engineer Certified Data Analysis Exam
- Basic Information Engineer Examination
- Statistical test
AI engineers require a wide range of knowledge, from planning to system development and processing of learning data. Therefore, it is advisable to have a wide range of qualifications.
Data scientist
Here are some recommended qualifications for a data scientist. Here are five:
- G test
- E-qualification
- AI implementation test
- Python Engineer Certified Data Analysis Exam
- Statistical test
A data scientist’s main job is often related to data, such as collecting and analyzing data. Therefore, it is a good idea to acquire qualifications related to data.
2022 Qualifying Exam Schedule
The exam schedule for the second half of the basic information engineer exam has not been announced yet.
Summary
In this article, we have introduced qualifications related to AI.
Now that the demand in the AI industry is increasing, it would be a good idea to challenge AI-related qualifications. Use this article as a guide when deciding which qualifications to take.
