AI proficiency is no longer exclusive to tech-related majors in the eyes of employers
In a rapidly changing world, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the job market like never before. For instance, 37-year-old Christian Vivas, an electrical engineer with his own creative media studio, has harnessed the power of AI to propel his business to new heights. Using AI, he generats images, videos, marketing plans, and even social media captions, making it a core part of his work.
This AI revolution isn't confined to tech companies, however. Employers across industries such as healthcare, hospitality, and media are now posting job listings calling for AI skills, reflecting a global shift. In response, people are eager to upgrade their skills and become more marketable in this increasingly competitive environment.
With automation suspected of replacing human jobs, especially entry-level positions, the fear is not unwarranted. Reports suggest that AI may have already taken over some jobs, and the unemployment rate for recent college graduates spiked to nearly 6% in March 2023. To combat this, larger businesses are forecasted to cut their workforces by 41% within five years due to AI, according to a survey. Yet, there's a glimmer of hope: most of these businesses plan to train their employees to "work alongside" AI, as indicated in the World Economic Forum's January Future of Jobs report.
The number of online job postings demanding generative AI skills more than tripled in 2023, going from fewer than 16,000 to over 66,000, according to a report from labor analytics company Lightcast. As a result, colleges are racing to add AI to their course catalogs and redesign lessons to include AI skill-building.
One such example is Miami Dade College, which debuted its artificial intelligence certificate program just over a month after ChatGPT was unveiled in 2023. The program includes classes in machine learning, ethics, and natural language programming, among others. Since its inception, the school has expanded its offering to associate and bachelor's degree programs in applied AI.
This influx of AI-related programs in higher education is not a mere coincidence. The surge in demand for AI expertise is driving schools to equip students with the tools they'll need to thrive in the workforce of the future. However, colleges and universities must strike a delicate balance in teaching students to work with, rather than solely relying on, AI.
For instance, philosophy professor James Taylor at The College of New Jersey took steps to discourage the overuse of AI in his classes. Instead of letting students use AI to complete assignments, he now requires them to write essays by hand and take tests on paper with pencil. His aim is to foster critical thinking skills in students, which will prove vital even when they implement AI in their professional lives.
In a striking example of this crossover, Derrick Anderson, a public affairs professor at Arizona State University, now has his students create videos with the aid of AI to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter. By experimenting with AI in their classes, colleges aim to give students practical, real-world experiences that they can showcase to potential employers.
The AI revolution might disrupt the traditional notions of education, but it presents an exciting opportunity for students and educators alike. As Mr. Taylor wisely noted, "We're not trying to stop AI; we're trying to figure out how to best use it, how to make the most of it, rather than letting it control us." And control it, we shall.
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- In the rapidly changing job market, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a global shift, with many employers demanding AI skills, even in sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and media.
- As colleges gear up to adapt to this shift, there's an increasing number of online job postings demanding generative AI skills, leading institutions to add AI to their course catalogs and redesign lessons to include AI skill-building.
- In response to the influx of AI-related job opportunities, colleges like Miami Dade College have launched AI certificate programs, offering classes in machine learning, ethics, and natural language programming.
- While colleges and universities need to prepare students to work with AI, there's a growing emphasis on developing critical thinking skills as well, as shown by philosophy professor James Taylor at The College of New Jersey, who has started requiring students to write essays by hand and take tests on paper with pencil.
