Josh Woodward, Editorial Director of Google Labs’ NotebookLM, challenges the common perception that STEM skills are the only pathway to success in AI technology. He emphasizes that humanities backgrounds bring crucial skills to AI development, particularly in understanding human context and improving AI interactions. Woodward, who has a journalism background, argues that liberal arts education develops critical thinking and communication abilities essential for AI development. He specifically highlights how his team’s diverse backgrounds, including those from humanities, help in making AI tools more user-friendly and effective. The article discusses how NotebookLM, Google’s AI note-taking assistant, benefits from team members who can effectively communicate with users and understand their needs. Woodward stresses that while technical skills are important, the ability to think critically about how humans interact with technology is equally valuable. He suggests that as AI becomes more prevalent, the need for professionals who can bridge the gap between technical capabilities and human needs will increase. The article concludes by noting that humanities skills like writing, critical thinking, and understanding human behavior are becoming increasingly valuable in the AI industry, challenging the notion that only technical backgrounds are relevant in this field.