As a middle school science teacher who's all about keeping it real for my students, I have to say this article from Texas A&M's business school has me raising an eyebrow. Don't get me wrong - there's some good stuff in here, but let's break it down with a critical eye.
First off, kudos to the researchers for acknowledging the very real anxiety many young people feel about AI taking over jobs. I see this worry in my own students' eyes when we talk about future careers. The idea that some are pivoting to trades as a result? Totally tracks.
But here's where I start to side-eye:
1. Of course a university is going to promote the value of a college degree. It's literally their business model. Not saying they're wrong, but let's consider the source.
2. The argument that AI will mainly handle "mundane tasks" feels a bit optimistic. Have you seen what ChatGPT can do lately? It's not just data entry, folks.
3. That said, I do agree with the emphasis on developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. These are skills I push hard in my classroom, AI or no AI.
4. The call center example? Sure, it sounds nice in theory. But let's be real - how many companies are going to keep a full staff of human operators once AI can handle most calls?
Here's my take for my fellow educators: We absolutely should be teaching our students to work WITH AI tools. They're here to stay. But let's also be honest that the job market is going to shift in ways we can't fully predict yet.
Instead of promising that a specific degree or career path is "safe," let's focus on building adaptable learners who can roll with whatever changes come their way. And maybe, just maybe, we should be having more conversations about what a society looks like when a lot of traditional jobs really do get automated.
What do you think? Am I being too skeptical, or not skeptical enough? Let me know in the comments!