Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing how organisations analyse data, automate processes, and make decisions. As AI adoption continues to grow across industries, employers are increasingly seeking professionals with the skills to work with data and develop AI-driven solutions.
In Malaysia, national initiatives such as the National AI Office (NAIO) reflect the country’s commitment to accelerating AI adoption and developing a future-ready digital workforce.
Data Science and Machine Learning have become two of the most talked-about fields in technology. They differ in their focus, required skills, career opportunities, and earning potential. Understanding these differences can help you choose the pathway that best aligns with your interests and long-term career goals.
What Is Data Science?
Data Science is the process of collecting, organising, analysing, and interpreting data to uncover insights that help organisations make informed decisions.
What Is Machine Learning?
Machine Learning enables computers to learn from data rather than relying on explicit instructions for every task. By identifying patterns in data, machine learning systems can make predictions and automate decisions.
Data Science vs Machine Learning: Key Differences
| Data Science | Machine Learning |
|---|---|
| Turns data into meaningful insights to make informed decisions. | Develops models that learn from data to make predictions and automate decisions. |
| A broad discipline that covers the data lifecycle, from data collection and analysis to visualisation and interpretation. | A specialised field within artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on developing, training, and improving machine learning models. |
| Trains, tests, optimises, and deploys machine learning models to automated tasks. |
Which Career Pays More: Data Scientist or Machine Learning Engineer?
Entry-level
Entry-level Data Scientist roles in Malaysia offer salaries ranging from RM4,000 to RM6,000 per month. Entry-level Machine Learning Engineer roles also offer salaries ranging from RM4,000 to RM6,000 per month. Salaries may vary depending on the employer, industry, location, and an individual’s technical skills and experience.
Mid-level
Mid-level Data Scientist roles in Malaysia offer salaries ranging from RM7,000 to RM9,500 per month. Machine Learning Engineer roles with similar experience offer salaries ranging from RM8,000 to RM12,000 per month.
Senior-level
Senior Data Scientist roles in Malaysia offer salaries ranging from RM8,000 to RM15,000 per month. Senior Machine Learning Engineer roles in Malaysia offer salaries of up to RM14,000 per month.
Career Opportunities in Data Science and Machine Learning
Both Data Science and Machine Learning offer diverse career opportunities in industries such as finance, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and technology. Each offers distinct career pathways depending on your interests and area of specialisation.
| Data Science Careers | Machine Learning Careers |
|---|---|
| Data Scientist | Machine Learning Engineer |
| Data Analyst | AI Engineer |
| Data Engineer | AI/ML Engineer |
| Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst | Computer Vision Engineer |
| AI Data Scientist | Natural Language Processing (NLP) Engineer |
Data Science vs Machine Learning: Which Degree Should You Choose?
Choosing a Data Science degree or a Machine Learning degree depends on your interests and long-term career goals. Both fields involve working with data and artificial intelligence. They differ in their focus and the skills you’ll develop.
A Data Science degree may be suitable if you enjoy working with data to uncover insights, solve problems, and support data-backed decision-making. These programmes cover a broad range of topics, including data analysis, statistics, programming, data visualisation, and machine learning, preparing graduates for diverse roles.
A Machine Learning-focused degree may be more suitable if you’re interested in designing and developing AI systems that can learn from data and make predictions. These programmes place greater emphasis on machine learning algorithms, model development, deep learning, and artificial intelligence, making them well-suited for students who want to specialise in AI technologies.
Launch Your Career with LSBF Malaysia’s Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing (Data Science)
If you want to build a career in Data Science, the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computing (Data Science) at LSBF Malaysia provides a strong foundation in computing, data science, and machine learning.
The programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills to analyse complex datasets, apply data-driven techniques, and solve real-world problems. Students also develop expertise in data analytics, algorithms, information retrieval, and data visualisation while learning to evaluate and apply machine learning approaches across different contexts.
This blog is written by Godwin Fernandez
Frequently Asked Questions About Data Science and Machine Learning Careers
Data Science is a field that focuses on collecting, analysing, and interpreting data to generate insights. Machine Learning is a subset of artificial intelligence that involves developing algorithms that learn from data to identify patterns, make predictions, and improve performance over time.
Machine Learning is not a subset of Data Science. Instead, it is one of the key techniques used by data scientists to analyse data, identify patterns, and build predictive models. In practice, data scientists often use machine learning alongside statistics, programming, and data visualisation to solve problems.
Yes, it is possible. A Data Science degree can provide a strong foundation in programming, statistics, data analysis, and machine learning, which are important skills for aspiring Machine Learning Engineers.
A Data Analyst focuses on collecting, organising, and analysing data to identify trends. A Data Scientist uses advanced statistical techniques, programming, and machine learning to develop predictive models and solve more complex data-driven problems.
Machine Learning offers career opportunities in specialised roles such as Machine Learning Engineer and AI Engineer across a range of industries. Data Science, on the other hand, encompasses a broader range of careers, such as Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Data Engineer, and Business Intelligence Analyst. Rather than one field being better than the other, the right choice depends on whether you prefer a broader data-focused career or a more specialised role in machine learning.
Yes, many universities in Malaysia accept students with STPM or Foundation qualifications for entry into a bachelor’s degree in Data Science, provided they meet the institution’s academic and admission requirements.
Start by building a strong foundation in programming, statistics, mathematics, and data analysis through a recognised degree or relevant training. Gaining practical experience through projects, internships, or a portfolio can help you apply these skills in real-world scenarios.
SUGGESTED COURSE
Bachelor of science with Honours in Computing (Data Science) 3+0 in collaboration with University of Greenwich
The BSc (Hons) Computing (Data Science) programme is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in data science, machine learning, and information retrieval. It equips you with the ability to apply data-driven techniques and artificial intelligence concepts to analyse complex datasets and solve real-world problems.
