Should I major in computer systems or AI?

#1

Post by SneakyTornado29 » Tue, May 31, 2022, 7:53 AM UTC

Systems: "Systems is the study of the design and implementation of computer systems such as compilers, databases, networks, and operating systems. Topics include the hardware/software interface, the networking stack, digital architecture, memory models, optimization, concurrency, privacy, security, distributed and large-scale systems, reliability and fault tolerance, and related algorithms and theoretical topics."

or AI (machine learning).

Which is a more exciting field to go into given this day and age?

Re: Should I major in computer systems or AI?

#2

Post by orangetuba » Tue, May 31, 2022, 8:00 AM UTC

I had a lot of problems choosing between the two and I went for AI. I don't regret my choice, even though I mostly work with low-level programming these days.

I have some sort of FOMO when it comes to this question, and I've realized that I had to sort of pick both. Eventually I hope to be able to contribute to optimizing ML systems by use of experience with systems programming.

Re: Should I major in computer systems or AI?

#3

Post by kidgorgeous » Tue, May 31, 2022, 8:13 AM UTC

both

Re: Should I major in computer systems or AI?

#4

Post by b0o » Tue, May 31, 2022, 8:31 AM UTC

Depends on whats more exciting to you.

But computer systems is necessary for AI so either way you have to do one to do the other efficiently.

Re: Should I major in computer systems or AI?

#5

Post by brudgers » Tue, May 31, 2022, 5:04 PM UTC

If you don't care about either one sufficiently to make the choice obvious, it might be worth thinking about what you care about deeply.

It might not be anything related to computers.

It might not be something you think other people think you should do.

It might be scary to consider its economic prospects.

What matters is knowing whether you are studying something that makes you happy.

Or training for a day job.

Good luck.