Bette, this is such an interesting read. You are spot on that universities are struggling and that students (followed soon by parents) are questioning whether a degree is worth it. And I love how you highlight the trades. Some of those jobs are more future-proof than we give them credit for.
That said, while AI can automate tasks, it can't replace the uniquely human skills that a university education is designed to foster, e.g., critical thinking, problem-solving, the ability to navigate complex situations. At the moment, AI can teach you how to do something, but it’s less clear it can teach you why or give you the bigger-picture thinking employers need. Maybe this will change, I am not sure. In any case, the conversation itself is definitely overdue.
I completely agree. And I do think you still need people in these jobs, even when leaders and CEOs think AI can take them over. The research has been showing that's not the case. I do think that will even out a little bit as we move into this and people in leadership realize they can't replace the human element of a lot of these jobs. But that's not going to stop them from trying.
I also think that using this technology, even in the trades, is going to really help set individuals apart - using it for things like explaining in common terms what something means or drafting emails if those aren't your strong suits. Maybe creating workflows to help you keep on top of things. It's not that it's not useful to people in those areas because it certainly can be.
Yes, I agree. I like your point about the trades especially. Those are areas where the tech won’t replace the craft, but it can absolutely give people an edge in communication, organization, and efficiency. It’s more of an amplifier than a replacement.
This is inevitable and scary! We need fast action on the end of policy makers to shape the narrative on how AI education can be integrated into mainstream professions so that it best serves them otherwise there is going to be more heartaches and confusion
I'm afraid education might be moving at a snail's pace on this one, and this time it might bite them because big tech is moving in. We'll see how it all shakes out, but it almost looks like they're aiming for world dominance here.
We are starting to see similar issues in the UK now. When I went to University, tuition was free and grants for living costs were generous. Now the cost of tertiary education is significant and rising, wherever and whatever you study. In many cases it is demonstrably not worth it. If my daughter wanted to be a plumber or any other practical professional, I would urge her not to go.
Yeah, Lisa. When you're looking at six figures easy when you factor in room and board at a public university, and you get a degree in some kind of liberal arts where it's very difficult to get a job that is a huge bill. And then a master's degree has become the new bachelor's, where even those graduates are struggling to find jobs. And I didn't even get into graduation rates, which are dismal.
The education system, K-PhD, needs to do some soul searching. They can’t just do what they want, and charge what they want, and expect the world to fall in line.
What’s their identity? What’s their service to humanity? What does the world want from them? I don’t think they know.
Are they educating the elite to fit into elite society? Is it about job training? Being a good citizen? A rite of passage? A giant endowment with classrooms? The host for a football team?
For profit degrees, certifications, and such, are filling a void the status quo education system is ignoring.
I totally agree, Todd. Higher ed has been in crisis for many years now, but AI is going to bring it to a fever pitch. There's been state laws passed now that unless degree programs have a certain number of students, they need to be canceled. Which I don't disagree with.
I remember running classes with five students in them just because the faculty member wanted to teach over the summer to get additional pay. At five students, I don't think that the university even broke even. Curriculums need to be revamped. There needs to be a lot more thought given to the impact on the student vs what the faculty/administration want.
Bette, this is such an interesting read. You are spot on that universities are struggling and that students (followed soon by parents) are questioning whether a degree is worth it. And I love how you highlight the trades. Some of those jobs are more future-proof than we give them credit for.
That said, while AI can automate tasks, it can't replace the uniquely human skills that a university education is designed to foster, e.g., critical thinking, problem-solving, the ability to navigate complex situations. At the moment, AI can teach you how to do something, but it’s less clear it can teach you why or give you the bigger-picture thinking employers need. Maybe this will change, I am not sure. In any case, the conversation itself is definitely overdue.
I completely agree. And I do think you still need people in these jobs, even when leaders and CEOs think AI can take them over. The research has been showing that's not the case. I do think that will even out a little bit as we move into this and people in leadership realize they can't replace the human element of a lot of these jobs. But that's not going to stop them from trying.
I also think that using this technology, even in the trades, is going to really help set individuals apart - using it for things like explaining in common terms what something means or drafting emails if those aren't your strong suits. Maybe creating workflows to help you keep on top of things. It's not that it's not useful to people in those areas because it certainly can be.
Yes, I agree. I like your point about the trades especially. Those are areas where the tech won’t replace the craft, but it can absolutely give people an edge in communication, organization, and efficiency. It’s more of an amplifier than a replacement.
This is inevitable and scary! We need fast action on the end of policy makers to shape the narrative on how AI education can be integrated into mainstream professions so that it best serves them otherwise there is going to be more heartaches and confusion
I'm afraid education might be moving at a snail's pace on this one, and this time it might bite them because big tech is moving in. We'll see how it all shakes out, but it almost looks like they're aiming for world dominance here.
Interesting shift taking place. Thanks for sharing your insight!
Yes, Bonnie, things are definitely changing.
We are starting to see similar issues in the UK now. When I went to University, tuition was free and grants for living costs were generous. Now the cost of tertiary education is significant and rising, wherever and whatever you study. In many cases it is demonstrably not worth it. If my daughter wanted to be a plumber or any other practical professional, I would urge her not to go.
Yeah, Lisa. When you're looking at six figures easy when you factor in room and board at a public university, and you get a degree in some kind of liberal arts where it's very difficult to get a job that is a huge bill. And then a master's degree has become the new bachelor's, where even those graduates are struggling to find jobs. And I didn't even get into graduation rates, which are dismal.
The education system, K-PhD, needs to do some soul searching. They can’t just do what they want, and charge what they want, and expect the world to fall in line.
What’s their identity? What’s their service to humanity? What does the world want from them? I don’t think they know.
Are they educating the elite to fit into elite society? Is it about job training? Being a good citizen? A rite of passage? A giant endowment with classrooms? The host for a football team?
For profit degrees, certifications, and such, are filling a void the status quo education system is ignoring.
I totally agree, Todd. Higher ed has been in crisis for many years now, but AI is going to bring it to a fever pitch. There's been state laws passed now that unless degree programs have a certain number of students, they need to be canceled. Which I don't disagree with.
I remember running classes with five students in them just because the faculty member wanted to teach over the summer to get additional pay. At five students, I don't think that the university even broke even. Curriculums need to be revamped. There needs to be a lot more thought given to the impact on the student vs what the faculty/administration want.