AI engineers are professionals who work with AI systems by designing, creating and implementing AI algorithms. AI engineering includes, but is not constrained to, machine learning engineering, generative AI engineering, AI software engineering, data science, and prompt engineering. The core of all these roles is artificial intelligence and AI tools. For any of the above roles, expertise in artificial intelligence is a fundamental requirement. Apart from that, expertise in the respective field and related skills are secondary. 

AI engineering is an exponentially growing career choice in recent years, and many tech professionals are transitioning to this field due to the increased demand. Companies across industries such as healthcare, e-commerce, finance, marketing, etc., are looking for AI engineers to make informed decisions and boost their business. If you want to become an AI engineer, you need to fulfil the AI engineer requirements and learn the necessary skills. 

Career switching can be tough, so you can start as a freelancer, explore the options, and then do a full-time transition. Today, this blog explains the necessary skills to become a freelance AI engineer, platforms that offer good AI engineering projects, and a breakdown of the AI engineer fresher salary. 

Also Read: BeGig Careers: How to Find High-Paying Freelance Tech Opportunities

AI Engineer Requirements: Skills You Need to Become a Freelance AI Expert

Becoming a freelance AI engineer requires you to learn new skills, improve your soft skills, and satisfy the necessary technical and analytical skills. Freelancers need to learn more skills than full-time professionals since they have to manage projects and multiple deadlines on their own without any external support. 

The following are the requirements of a freelance AI engineer:

1. Programming Knowledge

For any AI engineering roles, the following are the key programming requirements:

• Python
• Java
• R
• C
• C++

Out of all the above, Python is the most prominent language, and the other languages are dependent on the specific role.

2. Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Machine learning and deep learning serve as the heart of artificial intelligence roles. Every freelance AI engineer needs to know the following subjects:

• Supervised learning and unsupervised learning
• Neural networks
• Reinforcement learning
• Natural language processing
• Computer vision

3. Mathematics and Statistics

A strong background in mathematics and statistics is required to be an expert AI engineer. You should have proficiency in the following subjects:

• Probability
• Linear algebra
• Calculus
• Statistics

4. AI Tools and Frameworks

Professionals working with AI should be familiar with:

• PyTorch
• Keras
• TensorFlow
• Hugging Face
• Scikit-learn
• Open AI APIs

5. Soft Skills

Any working professional should have good communication and soft skills. Especially freelancers should have strong soft skills since they need efficient communication with clients to get hold of good projects. 

• Time management
• Problem solving
• Communication
• Client handling

Also Read: Freelancer Earning in India 2025: How Much Do Freelancers Really Make?

How Much Do AI Engineers Earn? Salary Insights for Freshers & Freelancers

According to a Stanford study, India has the highest margin of AI roles and skills from 2015 to 2022. This resulted in high pay and improved bidding prices for freelancers. Usually, the salary of AI engineers varies depending on skills, location, experience, and project complexity. According to Payscale, artificial intelligence specialists earn an average salary of ₹15,53,396 per year.  The following is the earning potential for AI engineers in 2025 in India:

• Freshers: ₹6,00,000 – ₹12,00,000 per year
• Mid-level: ₹12,00,000 – ₹25,00,000 per year
• Senior AI experts: ₹25,00,000 – ₹45,00,000+ per year

The above are the earnings of full-time AI engineers in India. Freelancers usually charge more because they have more expertise and skills comparatively. The following are the estimated earnings of a freelance AI engineer in India.

• Beginner: ₹50,000 – ₹1,20,000 
• Intermediate: ₹1,50,000 – ₹3,00,000 
• Expert: ₹3,00,000 – ₹7,00,000+

These values tend to change depending on the location, since global projects offer higher pay, and the portfolio also plays a key role in negotiating the offer. 

Platforms that Offer AI Engineering Projects

Multiple online platforms have projects that are related to AI. But finding the right platform which has portfolio-worthy projects and good pay is difficult. So we have curated a list of top platforms that you can try out. They are:

• BeGig
• Upwork
• Twine AI
• Fiverr
• Toptal

Start Your Freelance AI Engineering Journey & Build a High-Paying Career

As companies are shifting towards workflow automation and making data-driven decisions, the demand for a freelance AI engineer is growing rapidly. Companies tend to hire freelancers instead of full-time employees due to project requirements, decreased overhead costs, and saving time. So, this is the best time to start your freelancing journey and work on top projects that shape the future of AI.

If you want to work on top, high-end projects from premium clients, BeGig is your destination. But here is the catch, BeGig allows only experienced freelancers to ensure that only experts work on top projects. Start slow, work on small projects, build your portfolio, gain enough experience, and then join BegGig to get the best out of your freelance journey.

Start now and become a part of India's fastest-growing AI talent ecosystem!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you freelance as an AI engineer?

Yes, one can freelance as an AI engineer if they have good skills and some experience.

2. Can you work remotely as an AI engineer?

Yes. You can work remotely as an AI engineer depending on the job responsibilities and requirements.  

3. What are the most important skills for AI freelancers?

The most important skills for AI freelancers are Python, machine learning, deep learning, and strong communication skills. 

4. Where can I find freelance AI engineering jobs?

You can find freelance AI engineering jobs on multiple online platforms such as BeGig, Fiverr, Upwork, etc.

5. Is AI a stressful job?

AI engineering roles can be stressful due to constant updates and technological innovations. But once the skill is mastered, you can enjoy the role without any stress.