[D]Trying to switch back to AI/ML — what skills are actually in demand right now?[R]

Reddit r/MachineLearning / 5/4/2026

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Key Points

  • A former AI/ML graduate who is currently between projects wants to return to AI/ML, targeting ML Engineer/AI Engineer roles but is unsure which skills are most in demand now.
  • The post observes that many companies increasingly request GenAI-related skills (LLMs, LangChain, RAG) even for positions labeled as ML.
  • The author is deciding among three paths: revisiting core machine learning, focusing on deep learning, or starting directly with GenAI tools and frameworks to become job-ready.
  • The request seeks practical guidance from people working in the field on the best strategy for the current job market.

I did my B.Tech in AI/ML where I learned core machine learning concepts like model training, evaluation, etc., and also completed an ML internship. However, my current job is in a different tech stack, and now I’m on the bench.

[R]

I want to switch back to my original path and aim for roles like ML Engineer / AI Engineer. But I’m confused about what to focus on right now.

From what I see, many companies are now asking for GenAI skills (LLMs, LangChain, RAG, etc.), even for ML roles. So I’m unsure whether I should:

- Go deep into core Machine Learning again

- Focus more on Deep Learning

- Or directly start learning GenAI tools and frameworks

Given the current job market, what would be the best path to follow to become job-ready as an AI/ML or GenAI engineer?

Would really appreciate guidance from people working in the field

submitted by /u/iamshrey2
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