I landed a Big Tech AI job. Treating my career like a science lab helped me overcome my fear of learning AI. (www.businessinsider.com)

Nitya Kumar, a 25-year-old product designer at Adobe, shares her innovative approach to transitioning into AI design without a formal machine learning background. After starting her career at Meta, Kumar recognized the industry's shift towards AI and transformed her perspective on career development by treating it like a “science lab.” This mindset allowed her to experiment freely, overcoming her fear of learning new technology. She utilized accessible resources like YouTube and engaged friends for accountability to create functional AI prototypes, notably a game that detects user dance gestures. Kumar’s creative experiments not only bolstered her technical skills and confidence but also made her stand out during job interviews, ultimately leading to her role at Adobe, where she develops conversational AI experiences. Her unique "mad scientist" approach has also fostered a collaborative environment, as she now leads AI workshops for her design team, sharing insights and tools to navigate the evolving AI landscape. This experience highlights the importance of adaptability and experimentation in the fast-paced tech industry, encouraging others in the AI/ML community to embrace a playful and explorative approach to skill development.