Little-known fact: You don’t need to code to work in artificial intelligence (AI). There's an entire new industry behind the boom of AI tools. And like any thriving industry, it needs a lot more than just engineers to run. It needs strategists, creatives, communicators, researchers, ethicists, and business minds.
According to PwC, the AI market is expected to contribute over $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030. So if you're wondering, “Are there non-technical jobs in AI?”—the answer is yes, and they’re multiplying fast.
Why AI jobs for non-programmers are essential for the industry
The AI world may be built on algorithms, but it runs on human insight.
Behind every model is a team of people making sure it’s relevant, ethical, accessible, and market-ready. That means professionals from all sorts of backgrounds—education, psychology, marketing, HR, journalism, legal, policy, design, and beyond—have a role to play.
If you’ve got curiosity, a collaborative mindset, and a hunger to shape the future of work, there’s space for you here. You just need to know where to look.
Read this next: How AI Is Already Changing the Way We Work
8 non-technical jobs in AI to break into the field (without coding)
Want to know what AI jobs do not require programming? Here are some in-demand, non-coding AI jobs—plus what they involve and how to get started. Salary data isn’t widely available yet, since many of these roles are still so new. But that could change fast—and you might be one of the first to help shape what’s standard in this growing field.
1. AI product manager
AI product managers bridge the gap between the tech team and the user. They guide the development of AI-powered products from concept to launch, making sure tools are useful, user-friendly, and solve real problems.
Skills needed: Business acumen, communication, project management, user research, and a basic understanding of AI capabilities are key. (You don’t need to build the tool—you need to know what’s possible).
How to start:
- Learn product management basics.
- Get AI-literate.
- Start with tech-adjacent PM roles, then pivot to AI.
2. AI ethicist or Responsible AI advisor
These professionals make sure AI tools are fair, inclusive, transparent, and aligned with human values. Think of them as the conscience of AI development.
Skills needed: Backgrounds in ethics, law, philosophy, public policy, DEI, or social sciences are perfect. You’ll need strong research, writing, and communication skills.
How to start:
- Take a course in AI ethics.
- Follow organizations like AI Now Institute or Partnership on AI.
- Look for roles in AI governance, compliance, or policy.
3. Prompt engineer or AI content designer
They write prompts for large language models (like ChatGPT) to generate accurate, relevant, and helpful outputs. It’s part writing, part user experience, part creative logic puzzle.
Skills needed: Strong writing, logic, editing, and the ability to experiment are key. You don’t need to code—but you do need to think like a problem-solver.
How to start:
- Practice with popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
- Study prompt patterns and test results.
- Build a portfolio of use cases (business, creative, etc.).
4. AI project coordinator
These pros keep AI projects running smoothly—handling logistics, timelines, team coordination, and budgets. If you’ve ever managed a complex launch or campaign, you’ve got transferable skills.
Skills needed: Organization, communication, time management, and the ability to speak the language of both business and tech (without needing to write code) are typically required.
How to start:
- Use AI in your own project management (Notion, Trello, ClickUp + AI integrations).
- Get certified in project management (PMP, Scrum).
- Transition from general PM roles into AI-focused orgs.
5. AI trainer or annotator or human-in-the-loop specialist
They help “teach” AI systems how to think by labeling data, reviewing outputs, and giving feedback on performance. Basically, they’re helping AI get smarter (with a human touch). If you’re exploring non-technical jobs in AI without experience, this could be a great way to get started.
Skills needed: Attention to detail, critical thinking, and, in some cases, subject matter expertise (e.g., medical data, legal documents, customer service chats) are often valued.
How to start:
- Look for freelance gigs to build your portfolio.
- Consider certifications like the Certified Artificial Intelligence Expert from the International Association of Business Analytics Certifications (IABAC).
6. AI marketing specialist
These pros use AI to supercharge marketing—writing copy with generative AI, analyzing audience data with ML tools, and building campaigns that scale smarter.
Skills needed: Digital marketing knowledge and familiarity with AI tools like Jasper, HubSpot AI, and Notion AI are typically important.
How to start:
- Take a non-technical AI course focused on marketing.
- Learn how to combine creativity with data.
7. AI researcher (non-technical)
Not all research roles require coding. Some focus on societal impact, user behavior, market trends, or regulatory implications.
Skills needed: Strong writing, data interpretation, qualitative research, and policy knowledge are key.
How to start:
- Look for research assistant roles in AI policy think tanks or research labs.
- Build writing samples and case studies on AI ethics or accessibility.
8. AI policy advisor or legal counsel
As AI systems move into regulated industries (finance, healthcare, and education), companies need legal experts to deal with compliance, data privacy laws, intellectual property issues, and emerging AI regulations. These folks help ensure that AI development and deployment stay on the right side of the law.
Skills needed: Legal background, especially in tech law, data privacy (like GDPR or HIPAA), IP law, or policy are typically required. Strong research and interpretation skills are a must—along with the ability to keep up with the very fast-moving AI policy landscape.
How to start:
- Stay current on AI legislation and global regulatory trends (hint: the EU AI Act is a big deal).
- Take a course in AI policy or data ethics.
- Look for AI compliance or governance roles in startups, law firms, or government agencies.
How to get into AI as a non-technical person
It starts with curiosity. Then comes confidence. You don’t need to become an engineer—you just need to understand what AI can do and how it’s changing your industry.
- Take beginner-friendly AI courses. If you’re wondering what the best AI course is for non-technical people, try AI For Everyone (Coursera), Generative AI for Beginners (Google), Intro to Responsible AI (edX)
- Learn the language of AI—not code, but concepts.
- Experiment with AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, DeepSeek.
- Stay informed with industry newsletters: The Rundown AI, Ben’s Bites, Superhuman.
For extra guidance, read this next: How to Get a Job in AI: A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking In
The AI industry needs more humans
Now you know the answer to the common question, “Is a technical skill required for AI job roles?” is a big no. What’s required is your voice, your judgment, your ethics, your experience, not coding. The AI revolution isn’t just about tech. Whether you’re a marketer, manager, teacher, writer, or researcher, your skills are needed. You just need to start.
The more interviews you land, the more options you’ll have—check open jobs on The Muse to find your next opportunity »