AI certification can accelerate the interview process by giving hiring managers and recruiters confidence the person has baseline competencies, so they can focus interview time on deeper problem solving or culture fit, Scicchitano says.
While certifications aren’t the sole deciding factor in landing a job, they often help candidates stand out in competitive roles where AI literacy is becoming a crucial factor, Taplin says. “This is especially true for new software engineers, who can gain a leg up by focusing on certifications early to enhance their career prospects,” he says.
Smart developers are treating AI certifications like “career insurance policies,” says Brady Lewis, senior director of AI innovation at Marketri, a strategic marketing consulting firm. “In my 20 years in tech, I’ve never seen a technology shift this fast, where the choice is literally, adapt or become obsolete. [Developers] getting certified now aren’t just adding skills, they’re securing their relevance in a post-AI world.”
