Young People on the Precipice of Their Careers

As students prepare to enter the workforce, a mix of skepticism and curiosity surrounds the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in their future careers. For 21-year-old Rebeca Damico, ChatGPT’s introduction in her sophomore year at the University of Utah presented a dilemma.
In the classroom, Damico faced strict policies banning the use of AI, which her professors labeled as plagiarism. She admitted, ‘For me, as someone who follows the rules, I was very scared. I was like, oh, I can’t, you know, even think about using it, because they’ll know.’

The growing prevalence of AI complicated matters for students, as many felt tempted to utilize these tools to ease coursework pressures. ‘I know people that started using it and would use it to … write their entire essays,’ Damico said, noting that while some were caught, others escaped scrutiny. ‘If we do it once, it’s kind of like, this slippery slope,’ she cautioned.

The Mixed Messages from Educators

Despite stern warnings from educators, the job market increasingly demands knowledge and proficiency in AI. Recent research by the World Economic Forum found that 75% of the workforce now uses AI tools, raising the stakes for students who must be tech-savvy to remain competitive.

The University of Utah has enacted specific guidelines against unauthorized AI tool use, increasing pressure on professors to monitor compliance. While some educators maintain a strict stance, others have begun to incorporate AI into their teaching, reflecting a broader trend across academic institutions. For example, Stanford University permits the use of AI as long as it is disclosed and not used to complete assignments independently.

Student Perspectives on AI

Students like Shriya Boppana, an MBA student at Duke University, recognize the dual nature of AI; it offers convenience but also demands a sophisticated understanding of its capabilities. ‘I think AI can enhance the way we work, but it still has its limitations,’ Boppana explained, detailing her use of AI tools to coordinate group projects and assist with scheduling.

Meanwhile, Parris Haynes, a philosophy major at Morgan State University, expressed hesitance about using AI in his field. ‘Even if it could write a convincing paper, it’s robbing me of the joy of doing it,’ he said.

The Future of AI in Education and Career

As the AI landscape evolves, students are left balancing caution with the inevitability of its integration into their futures. Damico, who has taken a job at a public relations firm, is beginning to see the potential of AI in practical applications, likening its use to gaining a competitive edge in the workforce. ‘It gives you kind of this edge,’ she noted.

In the long run, experts like Virginia Byrne, who studies technology’s influence on education, worry that AI may set unrealistic expectations for young professionals. “It’s creating a false expectation of speed and efficiency that the tools currently can’t accomplish,” Byrne said.

Conclusion

As the debate over AI’s role in education and careers continues, students remain cautiously optimistic. With the right approach, they believe AI can coexist alongside their traditional learning experiences, paving the way for innovations in various fields.