Openai CEO Sam Altman recently told a US podcast that if he had graduated today, “I would feel like the luckyest child in history.”
Altman, who developed and released ChatGpt in November 2022, believes that AI's transformational power will provide unprecedented opportunities for young people.
Yes, there's a job move, but “this happens all the time,” says Altman. “And young people are great to adapt to this.” More and more exciting jobs are emerging, full of greater possibilities.
For UK 6th ability individuals and their families, looking at universities, what to study, where – Altman's words may offer some comfort as they are trying to make the best possible choice in the age of generative AI. However, in a rapidly changing environment, experts say there are steps to ensure that students are well placed to make the most of their university experience and emerge from research eligible for future work.
Dr Andrew Rogoiski, from the People-centered Institute of AI at Surrey University, says that in many cases students are already on track to AI. “The pace of change and adoption is prominent because it responds significantly beyond the pace of academic institutions. The general truth is that academic institutions are very slow, considered and caring. There is fair access.
“So, in a very short time, we went from zero to 100. Of course, the world of work is changing accordingly.”
What is his advice for prospective students? “Please request. Ask us a question. I think there are very different careers. Make sure the university is adapting to that.”
Students who are not very familiar with AI should take the time to learn about it and use it, whatever subject they choose. Rogoyski says that being able to use AI tools is now equivalent to being able to read and write, “to spend time understanding what AI can do, what it can and what it can do,” and “it's important to be resourceful and adaptable.”
He states:
“Then I'm starting to think about what the university's answer is and what kind of support is for AI integration. Is it my course and the university as a whole right in front of the use of AI?”
There is a lot of information online, but Rogoyski visited the university to tell academics who offer their degree, “What is your strategy? What is your attitude? Are you planning on getting a degree worth enduring the test of time?”
Dan Hawes, co-founder of the expert recruitment consultancy company, is a graduate recruitment agency and is optimistic about the future of UK graduates, saying the current slowdown in the job market has more to do with the economy than with AI. “It's still very difficult to predict which jobs will be available in three or four years, but I think we'll put a premium on graduates,” he says. “They are a generation that grew up in AI, and employers are probably very interested in leading this new kind of talent into the organization.
“So, the first thing to keep in mind when determining where parents and sixth grades study is the employment possibilities of graduates produced by a particular university.”
For example, mathematics is consistently the best degree his clients are looking for, and he believes this is unlikely to change. “AI is not going to underestimate the skills and knowledge that you can gain from a mathematics degree,” he says.
He agrees that AI is a concern for those considering going to college with their parents. “But I think it's going to be a good thing in the long run. It makes people's work more interesting, redesigns roles, creates new jobs.”
Elena Simpel, a professor of computer science at King's College London, co-oversees King's Institute of Artificial Intelligence and advises students to look at AI content across universities in all departments. “It's changing the way we do things. It's not just about changing the way we write emails, read documents, and find information,” she says.
Students may want to consider how to set themselves up for work in AI. “DeepMind proposes AI co-scientists, so the entire automated AI lab will do research. Therefore, universities need to train students to make the most of these technologies,” she says. “It really doesn't matter what they want to study in college. They don't need to study themselves, but they should go to a university with a wide range of AI expertise, not just in the computer science department.”
Professor Simperl said previous evidence suggests that the entire work is unlikely to disappear completely. “So we have to stop thinking about which jobs will be killed by AI and think about what tasks it can help. Those who can use AI more will have an advantage.”
In the brave new world of AI, is it worth a degree like English literature and history? “Yes, if they are well taught,” says Rogoiski. “They should teach you something that will last throughout your life. Learning literature appreciation, how to write well, how to think, and how to communicate is a lasting skill.
“The way you use that degree in the future will definitely change, but if it is taught well, the lessons learned will pass through you. If there's nothing else, our AI overlord will take over all the work, so you can enjoy your downtime and we have time to read while we are all universal basic income.”
