Economist Tyler Cowen warns that college students graduating in 2025 may find themselves unprepared for an AI-transformed job market. He emphasizes that current college education isn’t adequately preparing students for jobs that will heavily involve AI integration. Cowen suggests that students should focus on becoming “AI-native” by learning to work alongside AI tools effectively. He predicts that future jobs will require a hybrid approach where humans complement AI capabilities rather than compete with them. Key skills highlighted include prompt engineering, understanding AI limitations, and knowing when to rely on human judgment versus AI assistance. The economist particularly emphasizes the importance of developing strong writing skills, as AI may handle basic writing tasks but human creativity and nuance will remain valuable. Cowen recommends that students actively experiment with AI tools during their education and understand how these technologies can enhance their work rather than replace it. He also suggests that universities should rapidly adapt their curricula to include AI-focused training and practical applications. The article concludes that success in the near-future job market will depend on graduates’ ability to position themselves as effective AI collaborators rather than trying to outperform AI in tasks it does well, making it crucial for educational institutions to bridge this preparedness gap quickly.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/economist-tyler-cowen-college-students-trained-jobs-ai-work-2025-8