Students discover online MS in Artificial Intelligence program is key to unlocking the present, future 

When Roneil “Ro” Kumar and Sameer Yelamarthi decided to future-proof their careers, they knew the perfect place to start: Purdue University’s online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program.  

They gravitated toward Purdue’s MSAI program because it provided the hands-on education they needed to use AI in their respective fields. 

Kumar dreamed of using artificial intelligence to help companies train their employees and shape the way AI interacts with humans. A senior learning and performance consultant for the financial services firm Edward Jones, Kumar is convinced that instead of replacing people, AI can be used to upgrade their skills.  

A product manager for Valcre, which designs real estate appraisal software, Yelamarthi was looking for innovative ways to contribute to his project team. Understanding AI and its potential was critical. 

The MSAI program offered a solution to both of their challenges with its two innovative majors. With a focus on governance, policy creation and the ethical use of AI, the Management and Policy track was perfect for Kumar. For Yelamarthi, who works alongside data scientists and engineers, the AI and Machine Learning track was the missing piece of the puzzle. This track uses computer science, mathematics and programming to enhance AI as a tool.  

“Generally, there’s that fear of AI taking over jobs and things like that,” said Yelamarthi, who believes AI will be a net benefit to everyone. “I think the immediate goal, at least for the next few years or even beyond that, is going to be making people more efficient.” 

Kumar agrees. He sees AI as a game changer.  

“That was the deciding factor,” Kumar said. “I thought, ‘AI is going to be a huge disruptor. How do I leverage what I know about my strengths – combined with the MSAI – and use that to help other people skill up in this area?” 

Kumar plans to become a freelance learning and performance consultant. He wants to help businesses develop learning strategies that will aid their teams in reaching specific outcomes. He said he enjoys helping people build their skill sets as much as he appreciates learning.  

To help others, Kumar turned to the MSAI program to reinvent himself. With degrees in sociology, philosophy and education and a decade in the business sector, Kumar considers his decision to join Purdue’s program as part of his natural evolution.  

“With AI, there are careers that are developing and careers that don’t even exist just yet,” Kumar said. “I can use AI to educate and help people understand AI technology and reskill.” 

For Yelamarthi, the decision to join Purdue’s MSAI program was motivated by a desire to help his current team make use of the technology.  

“I work with engineers and data scientists in my day-to-day job. Operationalizing AI is a big part of that,” Yelamarthi said.  

“I really wanted to understand the underlying technology behind it. Not necessarily to become a data scientist or an AI developer or an AI engineer myself, but to really be a better business stakeholder when I work with data scientists and AI professionals. I wanted to really understand the underlying technology that we’re building.” 

Before he was aware that the MSAI program was in development, Yelamarthi enrolled in Purdue’s online Master of Science in Business Analytics program to learn more about analytics and data science. 

 “That was an excellent program,” Yelamarthi said. “Then, I discovered Purdue was beginning the MSAI program. That really piqued my interest! I’m a technologist, a product manager in the software space. That led me to transfer into the AI program.” 

Like Yelamarthi, Kumar also turned to another Purdue online program for a tech upgrade just before the online MSAI program was introduced. Kumar earned his Master of Science  in Education with a concentration in Adult Learning Design and Technology in 2023. Shortly afterward, he developed an interest in AI. 

As his interest in AI grew, so did his curiosity about educational opportunities. A year later, the MSAI program launched, and Kumar applied. 

“Purdue was one of the first ones that popped up.” Kumar said, “Looking over the program and knowing that they had different tracks showed me that they had put some thought into how they were going to structure this program.” 

Experience with Purdue’s faculty and awareness of the university’s reputation also factored into his decision, Kumar said. Because previous Purdue professors offered him support, mentorship and guidance, he expected the same during his MSAI journey. He has not been disappointed. 

 “I feel like my career opened up when I got my master’s in education because of Purdue, and I anticipate that’s probably going to be the same when I get my MSAI,” Kumar said.  

“When you talk about Purdue and the role it plays in AI, there’s the Governance and Responsible AI Lab (GRAIL) that’s established; they do a ton of research. So, being able to connect with other students and other leaders there in that space is really cool as well.” 

Yelamarthi is also seeing real-time results. One of his work responsibilities is discovering his customers’ needs and finding creative, cost-efficient ways to meet them using AI. 

“I can attribute a lot of the work that I’m doing currently in terms of implementing AI – and actually being able to understand AI concepts and operationalize them – back directly to my time at Purdue and all the knowledge that I’ve gained,” Yelamarthi said. 

“Over the past two years, I’ve really learned so much about this industry. My background is not in computer science. It’s not in artificial intelligence or even data science. It’s from a business perspective. So, coming from that to really understand this technology and understand how to build that technology has been incredibly beneficial.” 

Yelamarthi is quick to share that he would not be able to pursue this path if it wasn’t for MSAI’s online modality. Located in Austin, Texas, Yelamarthi said he needed a program that was entirely online. 

“I work full time, so this is much more flexible for me to pursue a master’s and work,” he said. “This was essentially the only way that I would be able to pursue a master’s.”  

He said he often shares that he is a Purdue MSAI student and highly recommends the program. Yelamarthi also tells potential students that the program is rigorous. 

“Purdue does maintain very high standards,” Yelamarthi said. “It’s not necessarily for people that are just trying to get an easy degree or those who see that it’s online and they try to jump into it. I would caution people that are looking to do that. It is a rigorous program that that does require some kind of level of time investment.” 

To students concerned about the differences between attending classes in-person versus online, Kumar, who lives in Sacramento, California, said studying online has allowed him the freedom to accomplish multiple goals. Connecting with other students on LinkedIn, meeting virtually and participating in conversations while working on group projects has helped him to find a supportive community online. 

“It worked for my lifestyle, but it was also challenging enough to push me professionally and academically. I leveled up without being away from my family too long, without giving up my job,” Kumar said.  “I’ve been able to establish a really good niche in my field, in my company. I didn’t want to give that up, relocate, and go to college in-person.” 

Kumar said while many MSAI programs in his state are cost prohibitive, the cost of online courses at Purdue made the degree affordable. 

“I think the cost associated with some of the local universities here in California (were high),” Kumar said. “Purdue’s master’s in AI just seemed to be a really good fit. It allowed that flexibility and…it helps me level up as a professional as well. It was just a really good balancing act.” 

If you are ready to unlock your potential with the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program, explore your future by speaking with an AI recruiter or by applying now.