[sjg007]

You can have linear algebra and stats for the ML engineer classes as coursework. Most sciences have an applied linear algebra class which doesn't require the proof heavy math version. And most colleges require a year of stats. I think though while linear algebra for the sake of linear algebra is good, it isn't strictly necessary for AI and you can learn what you need. If you want to go deeper then go deeper. You could argue you need a class in ODEs and stochastic optimal control theory to understand RL, but you don't really. Maybe in grad school, maybe in some research area inside of RL but not in undergrad. Of course the linear algebra will help you. The best thing would be that the RL, control systems, stats, physicists and other related folks would start speaking the same language.