Why Should I Study Data Science and Artificial Intelligence? 5 Reasons to Enter the Field

What is Data Science and Why Is It Important?

Data science is the study of data to handle, organize, and interpret massive volumes of information with the goal of extracting meaningful insights and discerning patterns.

Data scientists are on the leading edge of innovation and emerging technology, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, and can construct complex algorithms to build predictive models.

The insights derived from data science are also essential for decision-making, and guide organizations across all industries.

5 Reasons to Study Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

The field of data science and artificial intelligence is a great career choice that offers high salaries, opportunities across several industries, and long-term job security. Here are five reasons to consider a career in data science and artificial intelligence.

1. Data scientists are in high demand

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, data scientist jobs are projected to grow 36 percent by 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Data science and artificial intelligence careers also offer significant potential for advancement, with the relatively new role of chief data officer becoming a key C-suite position across all types of businesses.

Because the high-demand field requires a special skill set, professionals with data science and artificial intelligence degrees or certificates are more likely to land a desired position in a top company and enjoy more job security.

2. Careers in data science and artificial intelligence have high earning potential

That high demand also leads to higher salaries relative to other careers. According to Glassdoor, the estimated total pay for a data scientist in the United States is $162,200 per year.

New data scientists can expect starting salaries of around $100,000 per year, with experienced data scientists earning more than $200,000 per year — but salaries can continually increase based on the organization or executive job roles.

The salary potential is only expected to grow as data drives artificial intelligence innovations.

3. Data science and artificial intelligence skills are growing in value

Think about this — smartphones, drones, satellites, sensors, security cameras, and other devices collect data 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Data is also being generated by organizations from every project, product launch, customer sale, employee action, and other business activities.

Then think about data that comes from every financial transaction, healthcare interaction, scholarly research project, and other initiatives outside of the business world. Data is continuously being generated from multiple sources for multiple uses — and that isn’t going to stop.

Turning all of that data into actionable insights is a unique, high-demand skill that will only grow in value as more data is generated. As technology advances, data scientists will be at the forefront of new breakthroughs and innovations. It’s an exciting and evolving career.

According to a 2025 report, the demand for technical skills across roles are growing by around 20 percent — as is the case for Java and NLP — up to nearly 80 percent for skills like Python.

4. Data science and artificial intelligence provides a wide range of job opportunities

Every business, government agency, and educational institution generates data. They all need support in gaining insights from that data. Having a degree or certificate in data science and artificial intelligence gives people the flexibility to work in the industry that interests and inspires them.

Data science and artificial intelligence jobs are in high demand and can be found in nearly every industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, data science positions are expected to grow 34 percent by 2034.

5. Data scientists can make the world a better place

While data scientists can offer insights to help businesses grow, they can also offer insights to help humanity. Data science and artificial intelligence careers include unique opportunities to make an impact on the world. Consider these initiatives where data science is playing a significant role:

• Climate change. To support climate control measures that could lower carbon dioxide emissions, the California Air Resources Board, Plant Labs, and the Environmental Defense Fund are working together on a Climate Data Partnership to track climate change from space.
• Medical research. The National Institutes of Health is working to improve biomedical research through its NIH Science and Technology Research Infrastructure for Discovery, Experimentation, and Sustainability Initiative, which enables access to rich datasets and breaking down data silos to support medical researchers. Additionally, AI tools are increasingly playing a role in health care, including diagnostic imaging, drug discovery, and documentation.

• Rural planning. The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a Rural Data Gateway to support farmers and ranchers in accessing the resources they need to support everything from sustainable farming practices to how to lower energy costs.

Other data-driven service-oriented initiatives include making cities safer for pedestrians and bikers, supporting affordable housing for underserved communities, and improving access to social services. Hear about other initiatives that are tapping into the power of AI for good in this fireside chat with Harvard Extension School’s director of IT programs, Bruce Huang.

Study Data Science and Artificial Intelligence at Harvard Extension School

If you are ready to start, advance, or pivot to a career in this exciting and growing field, Harvard Extension School offers a Data Science Master’s Degree Program.

The program focuses on mastering the technical, analytical, and practical skills needed to solve real-world, data-driven problems. The program covers predictive modeling, data mining, machine learning, artificial intelligence, data visualization, and big data. You will also learn how to apply data science and analytical methods to address data-rich problems and develop the skills for quantitative thought leadership, including the ethical and legal dimensions of data analytics.

In the final capstone course, you will apply your new skills to a real-world challenge. Capstone project teams collaborate with industry, government, or academic institutions to explore the possibilities of using data science and analytics for good.

You can also earn an Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate through Harvard Extension School. In this certificate program, you will:

• Apply foundational data science principles and data modeling techniques for AI applications.
• Apply machine learning and natural language processing techniques to analyze and model data.
• Develop and evaluate neural network models using deep learning, including computer vision applications.
• Assess the ethical, legal, and societal implications of AI technologies.

If you are thinking about advancing your career or making a career change into the growing data science field, learn more about the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Master’s Degree program or the Artificial Intelligence Graduate Certificate program including class requirements, tuition, and how to apply.