How to get a first entry level job in the AI PM field? I have a strong software engineering background but I am interested in the AI PM role. How to make this career change?

A strong software engineering and product development background is a good foundation to transition to a PM role.

AI is a very broad field, and one can apply AI in many different applications and use-cases. Just as you would with any job search and transition -- take some foundational courses in AI/ML so you understand the basics of model development, data issues, ethical/responsible AI. There are many courses online, and you don't have to do actual coding, but since you are a software engineer, might as well get your hands dirty.

If you are currently a software engineer, transitioning to a PM role is always harder to do externally. It is easier to do a lateral transition within your own company / organization. Speak to your peers or senior PM leaders to identify opportunity for a stretch assignment or a formal transition. Taking courses offered by plenty of folks like Berkeley extension -- would help you frame your thinking and preparing for a PM Role.

Merge the two above to focus on a particular vertical or industry application / SW -- where you can bring domain knowledge. Domain knowledge is super critical as a PM so you can bring the outside in industry, customer, technical skills and experiences together to help define the new features, understand the productization challenges in AI and help the engineering team to build successful products that customers will love.