Skip to content

Electrical Engineering Vs Artificial Intelligence

Electrical engineering and artificial intelligence have emerged as two of the most popular programs to pursue at the university. For this reason, choosing between the two can be a challenge for many students. 

This guide highlights the differences between electrical engineering and artificial intelligence. Knowing what each major entails can help you make the right decision. Keep reading to find out more.

What is Electrical Engineering?

Electrical engineering is a branch of engineering that focuses on studying electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism. It entails the design, development, repair, maintenance, and application of devices that use electricity.

Electrical engineering is a broad field, allowing electrical engineers to work in technology, telecommunication, aerospace, exploration, manufacturing, and the military, among other fields.

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial Intelligence is a branch of computer science that focuses on building machines, computer systems, and robots that perform tasks associated with human intelligence.

These machines have the ability to mimic the activities humans often do. Examples of Artificial Intelligence include speech recognition, facial detection, maps and navigation, smart assistants, self-driving cars, and AI autopilot.

Career opportunities in Artificial Intelligence include software engineering, data analytics, data science, machine learning, and business intelligence development.

Overview

Electrical EngineeringArtificial Intelligence
Average Pay$90,275$125,000
Ease of finding a jobEasyEasy
Types of jobs you can qualify for– Control Engineer
– Project Engineer
– Systems Engineer
– Electronics Engineer
– Electrical Designer
– Electrical Technician
– Substation Technician
– Machine Learning Engineer
– Data Scientist
– Data Analyst
– Research Scientist
– Product manager
– Business Intelligence Developer
The difficulty of the majorHardHard
Key things to note– Can work in a wide range of fields
– Lucrative career with high starting wages
– Studying AI requires programming skills
– One of the most lucrative careers as the world shifts towards AI

Reasons to choose Electrical Engineering

High starting salary

Electrical engineering is a noticeably lucrative career with a high starting annual salary. Entry-level engineers earn high salaries compared to their peers in other engineering disciplines.

Global opportunities

Electrical engineers can work anywhere worldwide. Their global demand continues to soar gradually, particularly in developing countries.

Moreover, electrical engineering courses are universal, meaning you can study abroad without many challenges.

Excellent career prospects

Electrical engineering is a multidisciplinary field with excellent career prospects.

After completing your studies, you can venture into a wide range of fields such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, telecommunication, computing, and consumer electronics

Future technologies

Electrical engineers are at the forefront of future technologies. They research and innovate technologies that prove useful in various industries, ranging from banking to healthcare.

Did you know that electrical engineers can do software engineering? Read our guide to learn more.

Reasons to Choose Artificial Intelligence

Global demand

The global demand for artificial intelligence professionals continues to rise as the world shifts towards digitalization and smart applications. AI is essentially the skill of the century with more professionals required to fill the gap.

High earning potential

Artificial Intelligence is one of the highest-paying professions with AI engineers earning over $200,000 annually. The minimum amount you should expect to earn as an entry-level AI data scientist is $75,000.

Career Advancement

AI has numerous opportunities for career progression. You can start your career as a data scientist and advance several levels to the position of chief data scientist.

Studying AI also allows you to work in various sectors and network with other professionals from other industries.

Learn the latest technologies

Studying artificial intelligence is an opportunity to learn the latest technology and address various challenges in your sector.

AI is no longer a pipe dream, but a reality. You can use your newly found skills to be at the forefront of innovation.

Can electrical engineers work on Artificial Intelligence?

Electrical engineering professionals can specialize in AI and utilize this technology to build systems that simulate people without human intervention. These machines can see, hear, and even think on their own.

However, not all electrical engineering professionals have AI expertise. Artificial Intelligence requires one to have some programming skills, solid math background, excellent data structure and analytics skills, and a creative mind. 

Can AI replace electrical engineering?

AI can never replace electrical engineering in the near future since the fields complement each other.

Electrical engineers use AI technology to develop and optimize machines that perform intelligent functions.

Conversely, AI requires electrical engineers to build “smart” equipment and systems that perform tasks usually associated with human intelligence. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to automate certain tasks and make certain processes more efficient, but it is unlikely to fully replace electrical engineers.

While AI can be used to assist electrical engineers in certain tasks, such as analyzing data and designing circuits, it is not currently advanced enough to replace the expertise and critical thinking skills of a trained electrical engineer.

For example, AI can be used to help with tasks such as circuit design and optimization, but it would still require a human engineer to check and approve the design.

AI can also help with tasks such as predictive maintenance, but again, it would still require a human engineer to diagnose and repair any issues that may arise.

Which engineering is best for Artificial Intelligence?

The best engineering for artificial intelligence is computer engineering. In any case, AI is a science-based program that focuses on disciplines related to computer science.

AI students study subjects like linear algebra, statistics, probability, data analysis, and mathematical optimization to prepare them for AI research.

Is AI mechanical or electrical engineering?

AI is primarily part of computer science, but it can also be mechanical and electrical engineering. Robots and computer systems utilize mechanical processes to move and perform given tasks. 

On the other hand, electrical engineers use Artificial Intelligence to build and optimize various machines and computer systems.

They also utilize AI technology to develop cameras, sensors, and speech recognition devices. Nearly all AI equipment requires the input of electrical engineering professionals.

Computer engineering is somewhat related to Artificial Intelligence. AI is a branch of Computer Science, which closely relates to Computer Engineering.

Moreover, most of the courses in Computer Engineering are also in Computer Science, including Artificial Intelligence.

A degree in computer engineering opens up professional opportunities in information technology, artificial intelligence and robotics.

Depending on their specialization, computer engineers can design and develop systems that use artificial intelligence to perform various tasks.

Learn more: Embedded System For Mechanical Engineers

How much does an AI engineer make?

AI engineering is one of the most lucrative careers. According to Payscale.com, an AI engineer can make anywhere between $75,000 to $202,469 per year, depending on the area of specialization.

Final verdict

Electrical engineering and Artificial Intelligence are both highly competitive fields. Choosing between the two depends on your strengths and preferences.

If you have solid programming skills with a creative mind, AI is the ideal choice for you. If you prefer working with electrical devices and electronics, electrical engineering is an excellent choice.